The Giants went down fighting, losing 24-21 in the season home opener against Butte this past Saturday. Coach Travis Burkett gave a rousing speech after the game that showed how much he believes in this team’s ability to improve from this game onto the next.

“You guys physically outplayed [Butte], we have a team full of guys who are willing to make big plays in big spots … when you see this [post-game] film, you are going to be inspired, not dejected. When you guys make these adjustments from game one to game two, you aren’t going to be depressed, you are going to be fired up to get out there onto the field. There is so much good football going on that it is going to make you guys freaking excited”

Coach Burkett used two different quarterbacks throughout the game, which is traditionally considered an unorthodox strategy. However, Burkett believes that each of those guys deserves a good amount of playing time, and they both equally deserve the opportunity to fight for a spot.

“Both of these guys are D1 type of players. They both have what it takes to really be a leader, and I have to give a lot of credit to our offensive staff developing these two players, they are both just amazing at managing in-game.”

Coach Burkett also made it abundantly clear during his postgame speech to the team that what caused them to lose was entirely a lapse in gameday focus.

“It’s all about discipline. Around here, everything stops with one guy. When things are going well, everyone else takes responsibility. But when things don’t go well, It’s one person’s fault and that is me. Having to use a timeout because we aren’t disciplined, having to take a penalty because we don’t have enough guys on the field, all that stuff is on me.”

During the game, there were instances in which the giants received penalties due to what coach Burkett referred to as a “lack of focus”, although he also pointed out that this team outplayed Butte physically, and a few standout player performances show an optimistic future for Giants football.

Quarterback Nathan Lamb had a great day today, with all 3 touchdown passes coming from his hand. Lamb added to what was said by coach Burkett about the lack of focus.

“Just improving on those little mental errors, you know, just instead of throwing the ball on first and goal should have let him run it. Just gotta get that stuff right and we’ll be good.”

The team’s offensive and defensive lines, who were the backbone of how the giants were able to stall the onslaught of Butte all day. Lamb believes that his offensive line did a great job of blocking for him, although there were a few times of lack of focus, they were overall a very effective line.

Tight End Jayson Littlejohn had 4 receptions during the game and scored one of the two touchdowns that were achieved via passing. That touchdown came in a big spot near the end of the 4th quarter and was one of the most pivotal plays of the entire game.

Jayson said he is enjoying his time at tight end as opposed to playing wide receiver, which he did all throughout high school and in 2020.

“I put on some pounds in the offseason, so I feel like I can really dominate on the line now. I feel like it was a good transition, and I put in the work so I’m ready for whatever they throw at me.”

A position change is not always easy for a player, but Jayson is showing no signs of slowing down in his production for the team.

The Giants will look towards next weekend’s game on the road against San Mateo, and to try and clean up many of the small errors they made against Butte.

“Don’t misconstrue my words, we have to play to win the game. You gotta be a winner to win, don’t forget that”. – Head Coach Travis Burkett, COS Giants Football