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August 9, 2004 Click HERE to tell a friend about this page. Virdell Real Estate Home Page |
2004…the high school football season begins. Last week, the Llano Yellowjackets began their season in the August sun, with dreams of ending it in the December snows. December seems at this time a long time into the future. It is for a high school football team. But the preparation today in August, and how hard that preparation is, will determine if a team plays past the first week in November. So, what does it take to play football past 10 games? Magic? Luck? Great coaching? Great players? In covering Llano football since 1973, other reasons seem to prevail every year. The following is a list of what to look for as the season begins, in order to have a real good idea if you should plan that big Thanksgiving family trip to Ohio, or hold out to see if Llano goes to the playoffs. #1. Senior leadership…nothing else comes close. The teams that win…the teams that make the playoffs…have seniors that are smart enough to realize this is their last chance. It is a very profound realization. Just wanting to win is not enough. Seniors must step up to the front of the line, making their voices heard, and demand of every player that this time is special. There will never be another time like it in their lives. And no player is above the team. Teams with good leadership…demanding leadership will win. Teams with good players that go their own ways, will not win. Teams that have players that stay out late, drink on weekends, and other undisciplined behavior will Not win. Usually just a hand full of players do these things. Unfortunately in Llano history, many times these were also the so-called leaders of the team. These are not leaders. These people in many cases are selfish, insecure, and not team players. Over the past four years, Llano has had not one winning season. 12 and 21 record over those 4 years with 3 different head coaches says enough. This senior class was not in high school when Llano last had a winning season, 1999. #2. Jumping offsides by offensive lineman. When you start to see this, you know the discipline is lacking, and the concentration is void. Players jump off sides. It happens. But over the past four years, this has happened at least 25 times. Frustration can cause it. Thinking ahead can cause it. But being undisciplined is the biggest cause. #3. Clipping…yea…clipping…the most undisciplined play in football. Most clips I have seen were by players that thought they would not get caught, or were just very much on the low end of intelligence. Clipping in the back is a cheap shot. It is very undisciplined, and it shouts of not caring about the team. Have 5 or 6 of these in one season, and write it down…it will be very hard to have a winning season. #4. Players taking themselves out of a football game because they are tired. I do not care if that is the team policy. If a player takes himself out of the game, he should not play for two weeks. Few things have upset me over the past few years as this. A player makes a good play, and up he hops to the sidelines for congratulations and a water break. When you start seeing this, be assured you are seeing a player that could care less about winning. This is about “me football”. Now, the hard part. Who is going to make 2004 a winning season? Well, let’s start naming names. Who do I expect to make this a winning season? First of all, senior quarterback Brian Hill. Little athletic ability, not fast, weak arm, slow feet…but Brian is our best player. I know Brian. He will not be clipping on any play. He will not miss the snap count. If this team will follow, Brian will lead. A World War II general once said great soldiers make great generals. Brian is our general. Senior David Hoskins…I do not know what David’s work habits are, nor do I keep up with his social life. But David has a chance to make this defense,” his defense”. David should be the one that demands this defensive team step up every practice, every game, and every Saturday night. That’s what I said…Saturday night…if you are not disciplined on Saturday night in your behavior, you would not be disciplined on Friday night. David showed me last year he wanted that special senior year. David…this is your team too. Senior Paul Sears…Has had two remarkable seasons playing both offense and defense. A bit quiet for my taste, but maybe he reminds me of too many very special past Jackets. Paul…this is your last year…step up with David and Brian…do not settle for less than 100% effort from anyone. Senior Leroy Meador…this boy-child has every thing to prove, and only one year left to do it. Leroy was a dream player as a freshman. Little to show for the sophomore and junior years. No one on this team can demand, and get results like Leroy. Some fear him. Some do not know. Leroy this season you must step to the head of the line and demand from your team mates everything that you are. This team could very well be a reflection of you. I will talk about other senior next week. And there are several others. Space limits me from writing about each one today. But, maybe only one thing is missing from the above list…and that is the responsibility of the coaches. Next week, also, lets’ talk coaching. |
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