UNDEFEATED!

CONGRATULATIONS PARENTS and TEAM!!

Thank you, 8^th graders for providing good leadership by example.  You have left the 7^th graders something to strive for next season!  I am proud of these young men for their unselfishness and doing what is best for the team without complaint.  Most of them had a chance to play several positions on offense, defense and in special teams play.  They have learned a lot about the sport of football and even more about themselves.

Parents, THANK YOU for all you have done to help make our season a success.  Without rides home after practices and rides to AM conditioning on Wednesdays and Fridays, we would not have been the team we developed into.  I appreciate your interest in your son’s activities beyond the academic day.

I am sure I speak for everyone, “THANK YOU Julie!” for the awesome pictures you provided for us to post on the website and to use as a teaching tool.  I have received numerous positive comments about the pictures from parents and athletes.  Thanks again.

Thank you, Jerry Hamilton, for recording stats.  The season stats will be recorded in the next 24 hours on the website.  Thank you, Carolyn Johnson and Andy Parsons, for videotaping the games.  If anyone would like a copy of any of the games on DVD, just send me a blank DVD.

So what’s left?

The 7^th grade is coming back for another season of junior high football.  This year’s group may have had the most playing time experience as any 7^th grade group I have coached due to the low numbers.  Next year, we will be in a very similar situation (about 7 eighth graders).  What that means is…..every single one of you MUST improve your physical strength and mental toughness before the next season rolls around.  In addition, you must work to improve in the classroom as well.  If you are not eligible, you cannot play, no matter how much the team needs you. 

Next year as an 8^th grader, I will have much higher expectations of you.  You must be able to lead next year’s 7^th graders by example.  You must out-work them on and off the field; you must out-hustle them in every drill, in every practice; you must possess the desire to push yourself to make yourself better; you must be academically eligible; you must play hurt; you must be at every practice; you must dislike losing more than you like winning; you must take a sincere interest in helping the 6^th graders become better football players and better young men.  This year’s 8^th grade has done all of the above to the best of their ability!  How fortunate you are to be able to call them teammates, schoolmates, and friends.