In the 17 years of coaching high school football, I have learned there are to things that cancel football games: Poor air quality (from the wildfires of 2003 and 2007) and lightning.
There was a cell that settled over the east county yesterday and it never let up. All of the games in the Grossmont Union High School District were cancelled yesterday. It was the right call.
The players, coaches and I were very disappointed in the fact we couldn't play. The Wolfpack are 3-0 and were going to be a good test to see where we were as a football team. We had a great week of preparation and we were all looking forward to the game.
But the safety of our student/athletes is priority #1.
Westhills HS is looking to reschedule the game and I am all for it. It will take some planning and there is a possibility we might have to play on a Saturday. As soon as I hear from them, I will notify everybody on the Blog and call players and parents to get it organized.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Building Men for Others: Taking on a Cause
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.
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.
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.
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