Pre Game Jitters

Tonight's blog will be a variety of different photos and writings...In no particular order.  I hope you enjoy this new style blog entry for me.   

Well, its that time again.  Tomorrow night we open our season by playing Melbourne-Viera...a very good program just up the road.  Viera plays in the Florida 7A classification. and they have proven to be a very good team year after year.  In fact, I believe they finished in the final 4 in 7A.  Their team consists of players from North Brevard County...with players from Rockledge, Cocoa, Viera, and local communities.  They have plenty of athletes, and they are well coached.  We definitely have our hands full.  I just hope we are able to field a competitive team.

Field Renovations 

The stadium (phase 2) renovations at our stadium are coming to an end.  Last year our old stadium was condemned, so beautiful new home side aluminum bleachers were installed.  This year, they replaced the entire area under the bleachers...new locker rooms, new bathrooms, new concession stands, new press box elevator etc... The renovations are just beautiful.  The stadium is up-to-date, but it also retains the old-school charm of the old iconic stadium.  Something Old-Something New. I love it.  

Championship Belt  

I have been helping out with the offensive line this year...and I am really enjoying it.  Facts is, I have never coached offensive line before, so I am learning all these new modern line techniques along with the players.  I have always coached QB's, running backs, receivers, etc..  But, football is football no matter how you cut it up, so some things are familiar of course.  Offensive linemen are unappreciated. The skill kids get all the glory, but without the big boys up front, the offense cannot move.  I wanted to create a weekly award for the heart and sole of our offense.  We grade each lineman each game...and each player is awarded a grade.  Whomever gets the highest grade will take home the belt for the week. Marty will also put his name on the belt's side plates. He can wear it to school, bring it to practice, wear it out in public..whatever.  It is his for the week.  The Friday night AFTER his award, he can bring it out of the endzone wearing his prize.  The same player can win the award numerous times, as long as he grades out on top. At the end of the season, the player who wins the most weekly awards will get to keep the belt for himself.  I hope the award becomes an honor for them.  I want the boys to COMPETE to win the belt.  I hope they FIGHT to keep it.  I want the offensive linemen to FIERCELY  defend their award; afterall, the award is only for them.  I love these big boys.  

Our BIG BOYS are HUGE  

  

Lenny Talking With Our Team  

We have prepared the team to play tomorrow night.  I am still in awe of this coaching staff.  All these guys are such good coaches....I am grateful to be coaching with them.  I am still in awe of Coach Lenny.  I love the way he handles the kids, and I also am amazed at the way he handles his coaches. I just fill in where I can, and help him anywhere on (and off) the field  wherever I can.  At this point in my coaching career, I am in a good place.  I am very happy at Vero Beach High School.  

Charging The I-Pads.  

Coach Lenny has put me in charge of our instant replay system.  Naturally, like everything I do, I ran with it.  I am constantly changing and updating our system. I am up in the press box controlling this game-changing toy.  We have the ability to run a play and have it sent to I-Pads on the sideline within seconds.  We no longer have to diagram plays on a dry erase board...we can make game adjustments within seconds.  Its crazy, but it makes Coach J even more dangerous on the sideline.  Thanks to my buddy and colleague  Josh Smerker for turning us onto this game changer.  Also want to thank another buddy Chris Hiser who helps me with all the technical changes with the system. I will talk more about him on the next posting.  Just know I appreciate you my friend.  

I will let you know how the games goes in the next day or so.  We are alo preparing for a LONG road trip to Chesapeake, Virginia next week to play one of their powerhouse teams..OSCAR SMITH.  Big couple of weeks coming up.  

"It's Good To Be A Fighting Indian"

GZ