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.