Our players ran into a buzz saw yesterday and that buzz saw was the Dons of Cathedral Catholic HS. We came out on the short end of the score 56 - 14.
It was a total team collapse and as the head coach, I will assume the responsibility of the lack of performance by our Patriots. Offense, defense, special teams and coaching all played a part in our loss. But there was a ray of hope. Something positive to build on... Our team did not quit. There are several individuals that began to pout and get upset over the outcome of the game. But for the most part, our players were competing to the very end of the game.
Tre Tyler earned his way onto the field by giving a good effort at DL. Nick Patrick made a nice sliding catch from the WR spot and backup QB Cody Beltz threw a great pass to 1st string QB/WR Cruz Samaniego to put into scoring position.
That game is behind us now... There is nothing more we can do about the outcome. We now need to focus on Saints. This will be a test of the character of our young men. Will they fold or will they shine through like I know they are capable of doing? Only time will tell. WE will continue to love our players and point them in the right direction.
As for my announcement in stepping down as head coach, I hope you all understand that it is for the good of the program. MY job has been to coach the coaches and prepare my team. This is an excellent opportunity to see what my staff and Coach Armenta are capable of doing in my absence. I will still remain with the team to handle administrative and parental communication duties through the end of the season.
The one thing I have learned over the years of coaching is that if the bond of trust between coaches and players is solid, that is a bond that nobody can break. I trust my coaches to do what is right for our players. And I know my players feel the same way. They know I love them. I know they love me.
I want to thank all of you fans, parents and family members for your support of the Patriot Henry Football Program and more importantly, for making me feel like a part of YOUR family.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Directions to CCHS
Directions to CCHS are as follows:
NB I-15
WB I-56
Exit Carmel Valley exit.
Right on Carmel Valley
Left on Del Mar Heights Rd.
Left on Old Carmel Valley Rd.
Right on the 2nd entrance to the football stadium
NB I-15
WB I-56
Exit Carmel Valley exit.
Right on Carmel Valley
Left on Del Mar Heights Rd.
Left on Old Carmel Valley Rd.
Right on the 2nd entrance to the football stadium
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Building Men for Others: Sportsmanship
Last week's Varsity game against Mar Vista was a tale of two games. The Varsity Patriots fought hard and overcame an 18 - 0 deficit to comeback and take a 22 - 18 lead in the 4th quarter. With 9 seconds left in the game, the Mariners threw a pass for a touchdown that ended in controversy. The bottom line was this: The Official was standing at the goal line and the Mar Vista player knocked over the pylon at the goal line, a drill we practice for conditioning period.
Agree or disagree, when an official makes a call, that is a judgement call on their part. How we act and how we conduct ourselves in the face of adversity defines the character of who we are as people.
Now I was not present at the game. (It was board game night with the family) But I spoke to Coach Martinez and he gave me an idea what happened after the game.
I knew we had a large number of Freshman players that attended the game. It is good to see them at the Varsity games and it gives them a goal to reach playing on Friday night and being on the PPR.
So I asked them how the game ended. They told me the referee blew the call and Mar Vista won the game. I asked them how the ref blew the game. Several players told me that the runner was out of bounds. I could see that some of them were really upset by the referee's decision. I then asked my players if the Mar Vista player knocked down the pylon like we do at practice. They all said yes. That provoked some thought on their part. Stopping to think about the pylon made them realize that it was indeed a touchdown.
I then asked my players what happened next. They said several Varsity players began to argue with the referees and some threw their helmets to the ground. As the referees left the field, my players told me that everyone in the stands began to 'BOO' the referees as they left the field. I didn't ask if any of my players participated in 'BOO'ing of the refs. I just didn't want to know.
I will admit, I am an old school kind of guy. I believe in leading by example, earning what you get and treating everybody with respect until they earn my dis-respect. As a player, I never threw my helmet and never lost my composure. I never argue with referees (I will say "I object!" It's the cop in me) because I know it's a hard job.
So I huddled my players before the start of yesterday's practice and I went over my expectations on how to be a man. I told my players they are expected to keep their poise and to not lose control of their emotions. I told them if they ever threw their helmet on the ground, they were telling me they don't want it and I will keep it for the remainder of the year. As a Patriot, they represent their family, the coaching staff and more important, the school itself. BOOing is not acceptable, not in high school athletics. REALLY!!! I mean, was there a threat of thermal-nuclear war related to the outcome of this game? NO!
I remember my senior year at Henry. The ASB Adviser, Mr. Miller, was so impressed with how the football team conducted themselves during the season, that he and the yearbook staff titled the yearbook "A Touch of Class". So I expect my players, the families of my players and the fans of the Patriot Football team to act with a "Touch of Class."
Agree or disagree, when an official makes a call, that is a judgement call on their part. How we act and how we conduct ourselves in the face of adversity defines the character of who we are as people.
Now I was not present at the game. (It was board game night with the family) But I spoke to Coach Martinez and he gave me an idea what happened after the game.
I knew we had a large number of Freshman players that attended the game. It is good to see them at the Varsity games and it gives them a goal to reach playing on Friday night and being on the PPR.
So I asked them how the game ended. They told me the referee blew the call and Mar Vista won the game. I asked them how the ref blew the game. Several players told me that the runner was out of bounds. I could see that some of them were really upset by the referee's decision. I then asked my players if the Mar Vista player knocked down the pylon like we do at practice. They all said yes. That provoked some thought on their part. Stopping to think about the pylon made them realize that it was indeed a touchdown.
I then asked my players what happened next. They said several Varsity players began to argue with the referees and some threw their helmets to the ground. As the referees left the field, my players told me that everyone in the stands began to 'BOO' the referees as they left the field. I didn't ask if any of my players participated in 'BOO'ing of the refs. I just didn't want to know.
I will admit, I am an old school kind of guy. I believe in leading by example, earning what you get and treating everybody with respect until they earn my dis-respect. As a player, I never threw my helmet and never lost my composure. I never argue with referees (I will say "I object!" It's the cop in me) because I know it's a hard job.
So I huddled my players before the start of yesterday's practice and I went over my expectations on how to be a man. I told my players they are expected to keep their poise and to not lose control of their emotions. I told them if they ever threw their helmet on the ground, they were telling me they don't want it and I will keep it for the remainder of the year. As a Patriot, they represent their family, the coaching staff and more important, the school itself. BOOing is not acceptable, not in high school athletics. REALLY!!! I mean, was there a threat of thermal-nuclear war related to the outcome of this game? NO!
I remember my senior year at Henry. The ASB Adviser, Mr. Miller, was so impressed with how the football team conducted themselves during the season, that he and the yearbook staff titled the yearbook "A Touch of Class". So I expect my players, the families of my players and the fans of the Patriot Football team to act with a "Touch of Class."
Monday, October 10, 2011
Remaining Schedule for the Season
We will now begin League play in the toughest League in the County of San Diego. From top to bottom, the Eastern League is the hardest league to compete in, hands down. There might be better teams in the County playing, or teams with higher rankings. But the leagues they play in do not have the competitive balance that the Eastern League has. Last year alone, five out of the six teams went to the playoffs and three of those teams went to Qualcomm Stadium to play in the CIF Finals.
So we start our journey up north in Carmel Valley. Here is the remaining schedule for the Freshman Team:
Thursday 10/13/11 3:00 pm @ Cathdral Catholic HS
*Friday 10/21/11 3:00 pm @ Saint Augustine HS
Thursday 10/27/11 3:00 pm @ Mira Mesa HS
Thursday 11/3/11 3:30 pm @ Scripps Ranch HS
Lincoln game is cancelled. We are looking to fill it with La Jolla HS. I will pass on the information to you all as soon as I find out.
*Note: The game at Saints is on a Friday, not on a Thursday.
So we start our journey up north in Carmel Valley. Here is the remaining schedule for the Freshman Team:
Thursday 10/13/11 3:00 pm @ Cathdral Catholic HS
*Friday 10/21/11 3:00 pm @ Saint Augustine HS
Thursday 10/27/11 3:00 pm @ Mira Mesa HS
Thursday 11/3/11 3:30 pm @ Scripps Ranch HS
Lincoln game is cancelled. We are looking to fill it with La Jolla HS. I will pass on the information to you all as soon as I find out.
*Note: The game at Saints is on a Friday, not on a Thursday.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Beast Cancer Awareness Month
You see it on TV in the NFL and MLB. Professional players wearing Pink gear to recognize and support National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
We all know somebody that has been stricken with cancer. A former partner of my had a double mastectomy due to breast cancer a few years back. Another co-worker of mine just had a mastectomy last year.
Several parents and players have asked if it would be possible to recognize National Breast Cancer Awareness Month by wearing Pink for our games in the month of October. I think it's a great idea, not because it looks cool, but that it provoke our players to think about the civic ramifications of taking on a cause.
Wearing Pink because 'they do it on TV' is not good enough. I spoke to the players and explain why we are bringing attention to the cause of recognizing breast cancer. I am proud that our young men are willing to take on a cause. But I want to engage some thought behind taking the cause by opening a dialog with them on why it is important to recognize and support National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
So, during the month of October, I will allow our players to wear Pink gear for our games. Buying Pink gear is optional and is not required. I also encourage our fans to wear Pink on Thursdays too.
Here is the National Breast Cancer Awareness web site:http://www.nbcam.org/help_promote_nbcam.cfm
We all know somebody that has been stricken with cancer. A former partner of my had a double mastectomy due to breast cancer a few years back. Another co-worker of mine just had a mastectomy last year.
Several parents and players have asked if it would be possible to recognize National Breast Cancer Awareness Month by wearing Pink for our games in the month of October. I think it's a great idea, not because it looks cool, but that it provoke our players to think about the civic ramifications of taking on a cause.
Wearing Pink because 'they do it on TV' is not good enough. I spoke to the players and explain why we are bringing attention to the cause of recognizing breast cancer. I am proud that our young men are willing to take on a cause. But I want to engage some thought behind taking the cause by opening a dialog with them on why it is important to recognize and support National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
So, during the month of October, I will allow our players to wear Pink gear for our games. Buying Pink gear is optional and is not required. I also encourage our fans to wear Pink on Thursdays too.
Here is the National Breast Cancer Awareness web site:http://www.nbcam.org/help_promote_nbcam.cfm
No Game This Week October 6th
We were hoping for a game at Coronado this week, but Cathedral Catholic filled that slot before us. We will take advantage of the bye week and get ready for them.
We will not have practice of Thursday. The coaching staff will take advantage of the day off to scout the other teams on the Eastern League.
Friday will be a workout day with Coach Naughton. He will begin at 2:30 and the players should be done by 3:30.
The JV and Varsity play against Mar Vista on Friday 10/7 at Westhills HS. We will be the home team as we rent out their stadium for a home game. I am encouraging our players to go to the game and wear their green jerseys to represent the football program.
We will not have practice of Thursday. The coaching staff will take advantage of the day off to scout the other teams on the Eastern League.
Friday will be a workout day with Coach Naughton. He will begin at 2:30 and the players should be done by 3:30.
The JV and Varsity play against Mar Vista on Friday 10/7 at Westhills HS. We will be the home team as we rent out their stadium for a home game. I am encouraging our players to go to the game and wear their green jerseys to represent the football program.
Westhills Wolfpack 35 Patriots 21
The Patriots encountered their first loss of the season at Westhills High School losing 35 - 21 to the Wolfpack.
The beginning of the game was a back and forth affair and it looked like neither offense was going to be stopped. Westhills took the opening drive in for a TD. Our Patriots responded with a TD drive of their own with Cruz Samniego throwing a pass to Kage Nygaard.
Westhills took the next drive in for another TD. Johnny Bergum took the ensuing kickoff 65 yards for a TD. Josh Pelloquin capped off the drive with a two conversion.
Westhills' offense continued their pace while the Patriots suffered from mental lapses in their execution. But they never quit and they were able to compete to the very last whistle. Tyree Range capped off the scoring with a 24 yard run with 1:34 left in the game.
After the game, I spoke to our players and told them this is the type of competition we should expect from the Eastern League. The rest of our games are going to be as tough or tougher than the game against Westhills.
WE have work to do as a coaching staff and as players. We will take advantage of this week to prepare for our first Eastern League game against Cathedral Catholic.
The beginning of the game was a back and forth affair and it looked like neither offense was going to be stopped. Westhills took the opening drive in for a TD. Our Patriots responded with a TD drive of their own with Cruz Samniego throwing a pass to Kage Nygaard.
Westhills took the next drive in for another TD. Johnny Bergum took the ensuing kickoff 65 yards for a TD. Josh Pelloquin capped off the drive with a two conversion.
Westhills' offense continued their pace while the Patriots suffered from mental lapses in their execution. But they never quit and they were able to compete to the very last whistle. Tyree Range capped off the scoring with a 24 yard run with 1:34 left in the game.
After the game, I spoke to our players and told them this is the type of competition we should expect from the Eastern League. The rest of our games are going to be as tough or tougher than the game against Westhills.
WE have work to do as a coaching staff and as players. We will take advantage of this week to prepare for our first Eastern League game against Cathedral Catholic.
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