Day after day for the majority of the 2012 season, the Morris football team has been putting 20-30 minutes in on the practice field perfecting the nuances of the third, and most forgotten, phase of the game: special teams. Whether it’s “Thumper” – their pooch kickoff – or their reverse return, the ‘Skins are always looking for an angle that gives them an edge in the kicking game, and thus far, it has paid off in the 2012 IHSA State Playoffs.

“We didn’t really change much (heading into the playoffs),” Morris offensive coordinator and resident special teams guru Bill Lauer said during a practice Wednesday. “We take 20 minutes every day and work on two or three of our special teams concepts each day. When those other teams are out there putting more emphasis on their ‘O’ and ‘D’, that’s when we feel like we can take advantage.”

Against Rich East and Urbana in the first two rounds, the Redskins forced multiple turnovers with their kickoff team by dropping short looping kicks in between the return team’s first and second lines. It gave the Redskins early momentum and ultimately helped lead to blowouts in both contests.