In building men for others, one of the lessons I pass onto our players is to take on a cause. One of my favorite causes that I support is for Children's Rady Hospital here in San Diego. I see the work they do for sick children and the support they provide families. It is a cause that is near and dear to my heart.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Soon you will see players in the NFL and MLB start to wear pink gear to bring awareness and recognition to breast cancer.
I spoke to our players yesterday about National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We see the images of professional players wearing the pink gear. High School players want to emulate the pros by wearing pink also. But there is more to life than just imitating what the pros do on TV. I wanted to provoke some thought in our players on why it is important to recognize the cause. I spoke about the National Breast Cancer Foundation and what they are about.
I explained to the players that all of us know somebody that has suffered from cancer in one form or another. We all know Darren Shanks and his fight against cancer. But breast cancer awareness takes the center stage in the month of October.
Why should we support this cause? We want to bring awareness to breast cancer through education, support and provide fund raising for free mammograms. To save lives in early detection is the main goal of the NBCF.
So, the Patrick Henry Football Booster Club is sponsoring an essay contest. The theme of the essay is "How breast cancer has affected me, my family and the cancer victim I know." I spoke to the Varsity, JV and the Freshmen football teams about the essay contest and all players are eligible to participate. (Of course, with the work load of homework our players have already, the essay contest is not mandatory)
Essays are due to me on Friday 10/8/10. I will read and judge the essays and pick out the top 6 essays. Then I will meet with a panel of judges and pick out the top three essays and rate them 1st 2nd and 3rd.
Then at halftime of the Varsity game against St. Augustine on 10/15/10, we will recognize the players of the top three essays, the cancer victims/survivors and present them checks in the name of the victims/survivors to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
The first prize essay will receive $75 donation, second prize will be $50 donation and third prize will be $25 donation all going to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Start Time for Westhills Game
Next Thursday's game at Westhills will be at 5:00 pm. That gives the parents time to get off work and see the game.
Westhills HS is off Mast Blvd as you exit the I-52. Hope to see you all there.
Westhills HS is off Mast Blvd as you exit the I-52. Hope to see you all there.
El Cajon Valley Braves 6 Patriots 35
The undefeated Braves from El Cajon Valley HS came to Patrick Henry to face off with the Patriots Freshmen Football team. The Patriots gave the Braves more than they could handle by beating them 35-6.
The Patriot defense was stellar throughout the day. Led by Frankie Bernard, Zack Brown and Kenny Alvarado, the Patriots gave up just one first down in half. Edgar Delgado recovered a Brave fumble, Sam Akili intercepted a two point conversion and Arron Ping intercepted a pass and raced 83 yards for his second 'pick six' touchdown of the year.
On special teams, Markise Bryant had some outstanding returns for huge yardage.
Offense was lead by RB Marco Gonzalez, who ran for over 100 yards. Gonzalez scored 2 rushing touchdowns. Morgan Hatch threw 2 TD's to David Hensley behind good blocking from DJ Samuels, Armando Martinez, Josh Prater, Josh Abate, Charlie Martinez and RB's Colton Ledford and Meko Revecho.
Nest week we travel to Westhills HS and take on the Wolfpack. Westhills usually field a good team and it should be a good gauge to see where our team is as we prepare for the Eastern League.
The Patriot defense was stellar throughout the day. Led by Frankie Bernard, Zack Brown and Kenny Alvarado, the Patriots gave up just one first down in half. Edgar Delgado recovered a Brave fumble, Sam Akili intercepted a two point conversion and Arron Ping intercepted a pass and raced 83 yards for his second 'pick six' touchdown of the year.
On special teams, Markise Bryant had some outstanding returns for huge yardage.
Offense was lead by RB Marco Gonzalez, who ran for over 100 yards. Gonzalez scored 2 rushing touchdowns. Morgan Hatch threw 2 TD's to David Hensley behind good blocking from DJ Samuels, Armando Martinez, Josh Prater, Josh Abate, Charlie Martinez and RB's Colton Ledford and Meko Revecho.
Nest week we travel to Westhills HS and take on the Wolfpack. Westhills usually field a good team and it should be a good gauge to see where our team is as we prepare for the Eastern League.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Game DVD's for Purchase
We video tape our games for the puposes of reviewing player performance and making adjustments in our coaching. On Tuesdays, I take the team into Room 500 and review the film of the previous game as a coaching tool for the players to see what they are doing in the game and correct any mistakes or assignments to be a better player.
Several parents and players have come up to me and asked if they can purchase a copy of the game films. The answer is yes.
On Wednesdays, JV Head Coach Antione Hough will be available to make to make copies for players and families. Copies of the our DVD's can be made for $5. Coach Hough will be available at the beginning of 6th Period (1:15 pm) and the players can place thier order before they go down to the Stadium for practice. The DVD will be done by the time practice is done. Cash only please.
THIS SERVICE WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE ON WEDNESDAYS. The $5 cost will go back into the purchase of blank DVD discs for copies to our players and coaches.
I will make a highlight DVD at the end of the season for the banquets. Orders can be placed to buy a highlight DVD after the banquet.
Several parents and players have come up to me and asked if they can purchase a copy of the game films. The answer is yes.
On Wednesdays, JV Head Coach Antione Hough will be available to make to make copies for players and families. Copies of the our DVD's can be made for $5. Coach Hough will be available at the beginning of 6th Period (1:15 pm) and the players can place thier order before they go down to the Stadium for practice. The DVD will be done by the time practice is done. Cash only please.
THIS SERVICE WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE ON WEDNESDAYS. The $5 cost will go back into the purchase of blank DVD discs for copies to our players and coaches.
I will make a highlight DVD at the end of the season for the banquets. Orders can be placed to buy a highlight DVD after the banquet.
El Cajon Valley Game to Start at 4:30 pm
As a reminder, our game against El Cajon Valley will start at 4:30 on Thursday 9/23/10.
The Grossmont Union Schools start later in the day which means they get out of school later. Personally, I like the later start times. It gets more parents out at the game to see us play.
On a side note, next week's game at West Hills will be at 5:00 pm. Then we will have 5 straight home games all starting at 3:30 pm.
The Grossmont Union Schools start later in the day which means they get out of school later. Personally, I like the later start times. It gets more parents out at the game to see us play.
On a side note, next week's game at West Hills will be at 5:00 pm. Then we will have 5 straight home games all starting at 3:30 pm.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Freshman Perks
Understanding that the Freshman Football team is the bottom of the totem pole and players need to return for JV and Varsity to get some of the 'extras' that come with being a football player at Patrick Henry High School, I still find ways to motivate and give our players a little extras here and there.
For instance, Wednesdays are our review day and we normally dress out in 'shells' (helmet, shoulder pads and shorts). But if we win, the next Wednesday we dress out in what I call "hat day" (baseball cap, jersey and shorts).
But we haven't put together a string of good practices lately so I put a veto on Hat Day. Until... One of our offensive linemen, Mohamed Ali, wanted a challenge to have Hat Day this week. So, I challenged him to catch a punt without dropping it and we could have Hat Day. But if he dropped it, we suit in full pads. With all his team mates cheering him on, Mohamed set out to catch a punt from Aaron Ping. Mohamed caught the punt and the team erupted with joy as they mobbed Mohamed. So, Hat Day is on this week.
On another note, not many people volunteer to play offensive line. It's hard work that comes with little or no recognition that requires to the line to play as a unit. As a former lineman myself, I have a soft spot in my heart for the O-line.
So as a payoff, whenever we have a RB that runs over 100 yards, I treat the O-line to Krispy Kreme doughnuts on Mondays and I did so yesterday after practice. All of a sudden, everybody wanted to be an offensive lineman. "Fat Guys" (that is my term of endearment to my O-line)were coming out of the wood work. Too bad, so sad! I love my O-line.
For instance, Wednesdays are our review day and we normally dress out in 'shells' (helmet, shoulder pads and shorts). But if we win, the next Wednesday we dress out in what I call "hat day" (baseball cap, jersey and shorts).
But we haven't put together a string of good practices lately so I put a veto on Hat Day. Until... One of our offensive linemen, Mohamed Ali, wanted a challenge to have Hat Day this week. So, I challenged him to catch a punt without dropping it and we could have Hat Day. But if he dropped it, we suit in full pads. With all his team mates cheering him on, Mohamed set out to catch a punt from Aaron Ping. Mohamed caught the punt and the team erupted with joy as they mobbed Mohamed. So, Hat Day is on this week.
On another note, not many people volunteer to play offensive line. It's hard work that comes with little or no recognition that requires to the line to play as a unit. As a former lineman myself, I have a soft spot in my heart for the O-line.
So as a payoff, whenever we have a RB that runs over 100 yards, I treat the O-line to Krispy Kreme doughnuts on Mondays and I did so yesterday after practice. All of a sudden, everybody wanted to be an offensive lineman. "Fat Guys" (that is my term of endearment to my O-line)were coming out of the wood work. Too bad, so sad! I love my O-line.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Learning to Win: Patriots 35 Hoover 14
In life, nothing is given and everything is earned. Simply going through the motions is not good enough in the real world. Looking across from your opponent and just showing up doesn't get the job done.
We lost our opening game to Pt. Loma 14-7. I attribute part of that to having our first game jitters. Having a bye while Pt. Loma had a game the week before showed. Pt. Loma was well coached and they played hard, as did our Patriots. We played hard and the best part about our opening game was that nobody quit. Everybody competed until the final whistle.
But some players weren't happy because they did not play. Such is life in the Fast Lane of Competition. I spoke with our players after the Pt. Loma game and challenged those that did not play to question their coaches and find out what they needed to do to get into the game. At least six players took me up on that challenge and spoke to their coaches. It is a hard thing to do, but I am proud of them for taking that step on their own.
But come Monday and Tuesday, we did not practice well. We were sloppy, made metal mistakes, missed assignments and we as a team looked very disorganized. Coach Valaile even took away the Black Jerseys from the starting defense. I took responsibility of the team's performance and promised a new attitude from me and the coaching staff on Wednesday's practice. But the players needed to take some responsibility and work towards being a team and pushing each other.
Needless to say, our Wednesday practice was the best practice of the year to this point. Tempo was upbeat, players were hustling, we cut back on some plays and players knew their assignments. The coaches took a more positive approach in coaching the players. I looked forward to seeing how our players would respond to the Hoover Cardinals... That is until I woke up with the flu on Thursday morning.
I wasn't sick as a dog, I was so weak and beat up that I couldn't get out of bed. Luckily for all of us, Coach Armenta is a former varsity head coach, Coach Hubka is a former 8th grade football head coach and Coach Valaile has been my long time assistant coach. So I felt the team was in good hands and I stayed at home waiting on pins and needles to see how our Patriots would do.
As it turned out, the Patriots hard work did not go to waste and they beat the Cardinals of Hoover 35-14. I watched the video of the game and I was very happy with the teams performance. The players took their practice habits and put them to use out on the field. The offensive and defensive lines had good games and Colton Ledford ran for over 100 yards.
As I look back to the previous week's practice, it was the players preparation that pushed us to victory. Not the coaches, not the plays, but the attitude to succeed in whatever you do in life. That is my job. Teaching our players not only how to play football, but how to win in life.
By the way, I am sorry I didn't see it, but all the coaches commented on the large number of Patriot fans that were at the game and how loud and supportive you folks were. Keep up the good work Patriot family. It means a lot to the players and coaches.
We lost our opening game to Pt. Loma 14-7. I attribute part of that to having our first game jitters. Having a bye while Pt. Loma had a game the week before showed. Pt. Loma was well coached and they played hard, as did our Patriots. We played hard and the best part about our opening game was that nobody quit. Everybody competed until the final whistle.
But some players weren't happy because they did not play. Such is life in the Fast Lane of Competition. I spoke with our players after the Pt. Loma game and challenged those that did not play to question their coaches and find out what they needed to do to get into the game. At least six players took me up on that challenge and spoke to their coaches. It is a hard thing to do, but I am proud of them for taking that step on their own.
But come Monday and Tuesday, we did not practice well. We were sloppy, made metal mistakes, missed assignments and we as a team looked very disorganized. Coach Valaile even took away the Black Jerseys from the starting defense. I took responsibility of the team's performance and promised a new attitude from me and the coaching staff on Wednesday's practice. But the players needed to take some responsibility and work towards being a team and pushing each other.
Needless to say, our Wednesday practice was the best practice of the year to this point. Tempo was upbeat, players were hustling, we cut back on some plays and players knew their assignments. The coaches took a more positive approach in coaching the players. I looked forward to seeing how our players would respond to the Hoover Cardinals... That is until I woke up with the flu on Thursday morning.
I wasn't sick as a dog, I was so weak and beat up that I couldn't get out of bed. Luckily for all of us, Coach Armenta is a former varsity head coach, Coach Hubka is a former 8th grade football head coach and Coach Valaile has been my long time assistant coach. So I felt the team was in good hands and I stayed at home waiting on pins and needles to see how our Patriots would do.
As it turned out, the Patriots hard work did not go to waste and they beat the Cardinals of Hoover 35-14. I watched the video of the game and I was very happy with the teams performance. The players took their practice habits and put them to use out on the field. The offensive and defensive lines had good games and Colton Ledford ran for over 100 yards.
As I look back to the previous week's practice, it was the players preparation that pushed us to victory. Not the coaches, not the plays, but the attitude to succeed in whatever you do in life. That is my job. Teaching our players not only how to play football, but how to win in life.
By the way, I am sorry I didn't see it, but all the coaches commented on the large number of Patriot fans that were at the game and how loud and supportive you folks were. Keep up the good work Patriot family. It means a lot to the players and coaches.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Building Men for Others: False Masculinity
This is a repeat from a Blog entry from last year...
Tomorrow is 9/11 and I pause to think of all those who lost their lives on that day 9 years ago. It has changed our daily lives and we must never forget the people that lost lives and the ultimate sacrifices that people made on that day.
Today I will meet with the team and speak about what is important in life... Loving one another. We live in a society where personal accomplishments take the spotlight. Masculinity is based on how much money you make, how many girlfriends you have or how many touchdowns you scored. These are examples of the quick gratification lifestyle we live in these days. But that is not the true meaning of masculinity.
As I think back on that day 9 years ago, I think about those folks on United Flight 93. They knew they were doomed and they were going to die. They knew they had to do something and they made an attempt to take over the plane. They all know the chances were slim to overtake the highjackers and there was a good chance they were going to die. As they tried to overtake the plane, it crashed in rural Pennsylvania and all aboard died.
The point I want to bring up to our players is the phone calls people on Flight 93 made to their families before they tried to overtake the highjackers. They did not call home or their loved ones to boast about how much money they made, what kind of car they drove or how many homeruns they hit. They called their families to let them know they loved them.
To me, that is so important for the development of our young men. Nobody ever took the time to explain that to me and as I look back on my development as a young man, I wish somebody would have. Loving one another and trusting one another is important in our everyday lives.
Tomorrow is 9/11 and I pause to think of all those who lost their lives on that day 9 years ago. It has changed our daily lives and we must never forget the people that lost lives and the ultimate sacrifices that people made on that day.
Today I will meet with the team and speak about what is important in life... Loving one another. We live in a society where personal accomplishments take the spotlight. Masculinity is based on how much money you make, how many girlfriends you have or how many touchdowns you scored. These are examples of the quick gratification lifestyle we live in these days. But that is not the true meaning of masculinity.
As I think back on that day 9 years ago, I think about those folks on United Flight 93. They knew they were doomed and they were going to die. They knew they had to do something and they made an attempt to take over the plane. They all know the chances were slim to overtake the highjackers and there was a good chance they were going to die. As they tried to overtake the plane, it crashed in rural Pennsylvania and all aboard died.
The point I want to bring up to our players is the phone calls people on Flight 93 made to their families before they tried to overtake the highjackers. They did not call home or their loved ones to boast about how much money they made, what kind of car they drove or how many homeruns they hit. They called their families to let them know they loved them.
To me, that is so important for the development of our young men. Nobody ever took the time to explain that to me and as I look back on my development as a young man, I wish somebody would have. Loving one another and trusting one another is important in our everyday lives.
Darren Shanks (Part 10)
As most of you know by now, one of our players from last year's team, Darren Shanks, has been battling cancer.
Well, Darren finished his last session or chemotherapy and is final home resting. You can see cars all over San Carlos with writing on the windows "No more Chemo" "Go Darren" "We beat Cancer".
The Patrick Henry Football team, staff student and teachers at Patrick Henry, Mission Trails Little League, Darren's Boy Scout Troop, the Chargers, U.S. Navy Admiral Bird, the Charger Girls and the community of San Carlos have all come together to support Darren, his parents Tom and Vivian, his brother Brian and all the aunts, uncles and cousins during this whole ordeal.
To remember Darren, all the players in the football program will wear a Gold Cancer Survivor Ribbon with the number 66 inside the ribbon on the back of their helmets.
Even though it is a home game for the Freshmen Team, we will be wearing our white jerseys to honor Darren.
Why white? Simple... Darren is starting a new life. A new life without cancer. A clean slate. A new beginning. And he has the rest of his life!
It is a small token to say, "I love you Darren". But to me, it speaks volumes on how I feel about Darren's beating cancer and the future that shines brightly in front of him.
Well, Darren finished his last session or chemotherapy and is final home resting. You can see cars all over San Carlos with writing on the windows "No more Chemo" "Go Darren" "We beat Cancer".
The Patrick Henry Football team, staff student and teachers at Patrick Henry, Mission Trails Little League, Darren's Boy Scout Troop, the Chargers, U.S. Navy Admiral Bird, the Charger Girls and the community of San Carlos have all come together to support Darren, his parents Tom and Vivian, his brother Brian and all the aunts, uncles and cousins during this whole ordeal.
To remember Darren, all the players in the football program will wear a Gold Cancer Survivor Ribbon with the number 66 inside the ribbon on the back of their helmets.
Even though it is a home game for the Freshmen Team, we will be wearing our white jerseys to honor Darren.
Why white? Simple... Darren is starting a new life. A new life without cancer. A clean slate. A new beginning. And he has the rest of his life!
It is a small token to say, "I love you Darren". But to me, it speaks volumes on how I feel about Darren's beating cancer and the future that shines brightly in front of him.
Admission for Saturday's Game Against Pt. Loma
There will an admission to Saturday's game against Pt. Loma. We are hosting a triple header with the Freshmen playing at 12:00, JV at 3:00 and Varsity at 6:00.
Ticket prices are as follows:
Adult $7.00
Children ages 6-12 $2.00
Seniors 65 and older are FREE
Children 5 and under are FREE
People attending the game can get their hand stamped for re-entry if they wish to leave the Stadium.
The snack bar will be open and programs will be on sale at the Stadium.
Ticket prices are as follows:
Adult $7.00
Children ages 6-12 $2.00
Seniors 65 and older are FREE
Children 5 and under are FREE
People attending the game can get their hand stamped for re-entry if they wish to leave the Stadium.
The snack bar will be open and programs will be on sale at the Stadium.
Building Men for Others: Empathy Part 2
In our Building Men for Others theme that we share with our players, it sometimes takes one person to step up to start everybody into joining in and applying the lessons we are teaching.
We have a player on the team, Mohamed Ali, who is a practicing Muslim participating in Ramadan. Ramadan is a month of obligatory daily fasting in Islam is the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar. Daily fasts begin at dawn and end with sunset. Special nightly prayers called, Taraweeh prayers are held.
On Tuesday, I spoke to the players about the pastor in Florida that intended to host an international Quran burning day. I spoke to our players about people being narrow minded and that are quick to stereotype people based on race, color or religion. I told our players that we are a team, a family and that Mohamed is taking part in Ramadan.
I explained to our players that we are a very diverse community of men. We have players that are practicing Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Buddhists, Mormons and Muslims on the team. We are a virtual melting pot of society. Yet we are ONE FAMILY, ONE TEAM.
I asked the players, "What's my job?" They yelled in unison, "LOVE US!" I then asked them, "What is your job?" "LOVE EACH OTHER!"
I told our players to take care and love one another. I explained that there are people out in the world that are filled with hate and prejudice. We need to stand up for one another no matter what our background might be. Because we are ONE FAMILY, ONE TEAM. Despite the narrow thinking of outside world, we need to support and protect each other.
Yesterday during practice, one of our players, Markise Bryant, came up to me and said, "Coach, can I fast also? If Mohamed can't drink during practice, then I want to support him and fast along with him."
As a coach, what do I say? No, you can't support your brother? Or yes, you can risk the chance of dehydration? The social ramifications took the fore front and I told Markise yes, but I had to check on him every 15 minutes to see how he was doing.
These players are starting to get it. I am proud of their development not only as football players, but as men.
We have a player on the team, Mohamed Ali, who is a practicing Muslim participating in Ramadan. Ramadan is a month of obligatory daily fasting in Islam is the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar. Daily fasts begin at dawn and end with sunset. Special nightly prayers called, Taraweeh prayers are held.
On Tuesday, I spoke to the players about the pastor in Florida that intended to host an international Quran burning day. I spoke to our players about people being narrow minded and that are quick to stereotype people based on race, color or religion. I told our players that we are a team, a family and that Mohamed is taking part in Ramadan.
I explained to our players that we are a very diverse community of men. We have players that are practicing Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Buddhists, Mormons and Muslims on the team. We are a virtual melting pot of society. Yet we are ONE FAMILY, ONE TEAM.
I asked the players, "What's my job?" They yelled in unison, "LOVE US!" I then asked them, "What is your job?" "LOVE EACH OTHER!"
I told our players to take care and love one another. I explained that there are people out in the world that are filled with hate and prejudice. We need to stand up for one another no matter what our background might be. Because we are ONE FAMILY, ONE TEAM. Despite the narrow thinking of outside world, we need to support and protect each other.
Yesterday during practice, one of our players, Markise Bryant, came up to me and said, "Coach, can I fast also? If Mohamed can't drink during practice, then I want to support him and fast along with him."
As a coach, what do I say? No, you can't support your brother? Or yes, you can risk the chance of dehydration? The social ramifications took the fore front and I told Markise yes, but I had to check on him every 15 minutes to see how he was doing.
These players are starting to get it. I am proud of their development not only as football players, but as men.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Looking for a Volunteer to Film Freshmen Games
If you are interested in filming the Freshmen football games for the coaches and players, please give me a call on my cell at (619) 980-4159. I will provide the camera. All I need is a volunteer to handle the video for the Freshmen Football Team.
Film study is a valuable tool for coaches and for the players to see the good and the bad of what goes on during a game. The coaches review film on Saturdays to game plan for the next week. We set aside every Tuesday during 6th period to review film with our players.
As my coach once said to me when I was playing, "The eye in the sky don't lie!"
Film study is a valuable tool for coaches and for the players to see the good and the bad of what goes on during a game. The coaches review film on Saturdays to game plan for the next week. We set aside every Tuesday during 6th period to review film with our players.
As my coach once said to me when I was playing, "The eye in the sky don't lie!"
Freshmen Not Participating in Friday Night Carb Loads
There was a mis-communication as it pertains to the Freshmen Football players participating in this coming Friday's Carbo Load with the Varsity and JV... That will NOT be happening.
Early on when Coach Martinez and I first came to Patick Henry, we introduced ourselves and our philosophy, one of the things we wanted to do is have all our players earn what were deemed as perks to being in the football program.
If you want the cool uniforms, you need to work your way onto the Varsity. If you want to play under the lights, you need to return for the JV and Varsity seasons. If you want pasta for Carb night, you need to return to the JV or Varsity to earn that right.
Freshman football, in my eyes, is the most important football program on any high school campus. If you look throughout the County, the teams with really good Varsity teams have a good Freshman program that works hand in hand with the Varsity. My job is to make football fun for the Freshmen so they the return and play the following year. My job is to teach players to play football not only at the JV level, but to compete at the Varsity level. Having 7 players from last year’s Freshmen Football team on the Varsity is a testament to that philosophy.
I am not an advocate of having the Freshman engage in the Carb Load Dinner. The premise was if the Freshmen made more money than the JV and the Varsity during the Lift-a-thon, the reward to them would be pasta dinner for the team. But that did not happen. I am satisfied our players did their best to raise money, but we came up short. Therefore, we did not earn the right to have pasta dinner.
Some folks might think they want to feed the Freshmen for the sake of team building. We had our own team BBQ after the Green and Gold game two weeks ago. The Coaches bought food and drinks, parents helped cook the food and it was a good time for fellowship and bonding between coaches and players. Afterwards, Make a Wish and Darren Shanks presented the three teams with their jerseys.
Our defense is the only team on campus to wear black jerseys. We stole the idea from the University of Nebraska and their 'Blackshirt Defense'. That is one of the few perks Coach Martinez allows us to use to motivate our players. We use the jerseys to motivate our players to compete for a starting position with those starting in front of them. Later on in the season, I will be handing out helmet stickers, or as we will call it, the Patriot Pride Award. But not everybody gets one. It has to be earned by leadership, motivation, hustle and following the principles we are teaching our young men. Nothing is given and everything is earned.
If I was to wear a t-shirt that expressed my feelings about society today, it would say, “Not everybody gets a trophy.” I want to break our players of that mind set and have them earn everything that they deserve.
Enough of me on a soapbox. I want to thank you all for the hard work you are putting into the football program. But as long as I am the Freshmen Head Coach, the Freshmen won't be participating in the Carb-load because it has not been earned… Not yet anyways.
Early on when Coach Martinez and I first came to Patick Henry, we introduced ourselves and our philosophy, one of the things we wanted to do is have all our players earn what were deemed as perks to being in the football program.
If you want the cool uniforms, you need to work your way onto the Varsity. If you want to play under the lights, you need to return for the JV and Varsity seasons. If you want pasta for Carb night, you need to return to the JV or Varsity to earn that right.
Freshman football, in my eyes, is the most important football program on any high school campus. If you look throughout the County, the teams with really good Varsity teams have a good Freshman program that works hand in hand with the Varsity. My job is to make football fun for the Freshmen so they the return and play the following year. My job is to teach players to play football not only at the JV level, but to compete at the Varsity level. Having 7 players from last year’s Freshmen Football team on the Varsity is a testament to that philosophy.
I am not an advocate of having the Freshman engage in the Carb Load Dinner. The premise was if the Freshmen made more money than the JV and the Varsity during the Lift-a-thon, the reward to them would be pasta dinner for the team. But that did not happen. I am satisfied our players did their best to raise money, but we came up short. Therefore, we did not earn the right to have pasta dinner.
Some folks might think they want to feed the Freshmen for the sake of team building. We had our own team BBQ after the Green and Gold game two weeks ago. The Coaches bought food and drinks, parents helped cook the food and it was a good time for fellowship and bonding between coaches and players. Afterwards, Make a Wish and Darren Shanks presented the three teams with their jerseys.
Our defense is the only team on campus to wear black jerseys. We stole the idea from the University of Nebraska and their 'Blackshirt Defense'. That is one of the few perks Coach Martinez allows us to use to motivate our players. We use the jerseys to motivate our players to compete for a starting position with those starting in front of them. Later on in the season, I will be handing out helmet stickers, or as we will call it, the Patriot Pride Award. But not everybody gets one. It has to be earned by leadership, motivation, hustle and following the principles we are teaching our young men. Nothing is given and everything is earned.
If I was to wear a t-shirt that expressed my feelings about society today, it would say, “Not everybody gets a trophy.” I want to break our players of that mind set and have them earn everything that they deserve.
Enough of me on a soapbox. I want to thank you all for the hard work you are putting into the football program. But as long as I am the Freshmen Head Coach, the Freshmen won't be participating in the Carb-load because it has not been earned… Not yet anyways.
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