As many of you may already know, last week was one of the most stressful weeks I have experienced, but also turned out to be one of the most rewarding. We hosted our first ever football game here at McClain Christian Academy on Thursday, August 19, 2010 and it was an adventure to say the least.
The weather never cooperated from the beginning and every mishap possible occurred. We received approximately eight inches of rain here on the field and the field goal posts did not arrive until Wednesday afternoon during the monsoon. This created a job for Thursday to ensure that our game was played as scheduled. We had dads, family members, and employees show up to help in the efforts beginning at 6:00a.m. During the day we pumped 250 gallons of water per minute off the field, constructed one field goal post, and got the field painted.
And all of the hard work paid off! We were able to kick off on time and play a great football game. Despite the loss, it was a major success in itself just to host the game. It was also a success to see our school community and families rally around the football team and embrace their efforts and hard work. These boys have put in a lot of blood, sweat, and tears (more tears than some of the dads would like) this preseason to prepare and they earned the spotlight.
This was not the best part of the week though. It came on Friday night when we played at Lighthouse Christian School in their Jamboree. We played Lighthouse, followed by Franklin Classical School in two- twenty minute halves. We came out with a spark and a desire that could not be stopped! The boys tied Lighthouse Christian 6-6 and then defeated Franklin Classical School 6-0. You could see the happiness and excitement all over their faces! It was worth every minute of hard work and long hours I have put in at McClain Christian Academy.
This week really reminded me that God may put you through a struggle, but it is NEVER more than you can handle. It also reassured my belief that with God ANYTHING is possible. I was humbled last week and even though every minute was not fun, it will be something that I will remember for the rest of my life.
This season will be a special time in this school's history and these boys' life. Make it a point to attend a game and show your support for their hard work.
I also want to thank everyone who helped get the field ready and made last week possible.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
The First Test: MCA Football @ Sacred Heart
This past Saturday, July 31, 2010, I took the MCA Football team to Jackson, TN to take part in a two part practice/scrimmage day with the Sacred Heart Knights. We have been preparing for our inaugural season since May 1, 2010 and the boys' have put in countless hours of hard work and this was our first opportunity to see it unfold and in action.
It was one of the hottest days we have faced all year and the boys' pushed through a two hour positions practice where they worked on agilities, drill, technique, and toughness. I was very impressed with our hard work and performance during this session. The boys' stayed confident and focused on the task at hand, even though they were competing against a team full of upper classmen. (Our team is made up of 1 fifth grader, 2 sixth graders, 2 seventh graders, 6 eighth graders, 2 ninth graders, 2 tenth graders, and 1 senior.) They kept the gap very close during this session.
In the afternoon session everyone strapped on their pads and we went through a coaches scrimmage. During this time each team would run ten plays on offense, then switch to defense for ten plays. With a team as small as ours is, we have never had the opportunity of seeing our offense or defense face a squad that could provide a game-like situation. It was a huge learning experience for me as a coach and my team as a whole. This was when the other teams age, size, and strength really began to show, but this never demoralized the boys'. They kept pushing forward and fighting with all they had!
This was a great experience for me, because I was able to see where players needed to play, and who was going to step up when it got tough! It was amazing to see the boys' step up and take ownership of the team and this paid off about half way through the scrimmage. We began to get some pressure up the middle on their offensive line and break up numerous plays in the backfield. The confidence kept building and we became the team that was setting the tone and playing our game. As a coach this was all I could ask for! They gave me 100% and focused on their jobs regardless of what the other team was doing.
A lot of people have asked the question, "did you win?" Well, this was about more than winning and losing. If you would have kept the score, no we would not have won... But if you would have measured heart and determination, we won! I was very happy with what they accomplished and I can't wait to hit the practice field this afternoon!
Our goal is build strong-young men, in doing so we are Building Warriors here at MCA!
It was one of the hottest days we have faced all year and the boys' pushed through a two hour positions practice where they worked on agilities, drill, technique, and toughness. I was very impressed with our hard work and performance during this session. The boys' stayed confident and focused on the task at hand, even though they were competing against a team full of upper classmen. (Our team is made up of 1 fifth grader, 2 sixth graders, 2 seventh graders, 6 eighth graders, 2 ninth graders, 2 tenth graders, and 1 senior.) They kept the gap very close during this session.
In the afternoon session everyone strapped on their pads and we went through a coaches scrimmage. During this time each team would run ten plays on offense, then switch to defense for ten plays. With a team as small as ours is, we have never had the opportunity of seeing our offense or defense face a squad that could provide a game-like situation. It was a huge learning experience for me as a coach and my team as a whole. This was when the other teams age, size, and strength really began to show, but this never demoralized the boys'. They kept pushing forward and fighting with all they had!
This was a great experience for me, because I was able to see where players needed to play, and who was going to step up when it got tough! It was amazing to see the boys' step up and take ownership of the team and this paid off about half way through the scrimmage. We began to get some pressure up the middle on their offensive line and break up numerous plays in the backfield. The confidence kept building and we became the team that was setting the tone and playing our game. As a coach this was all I could ask for! They gave me 100% and focused on their jobs regardless of what the other team was doing.
A lot of people have asked the question, "did you win?" Well, this was about more than winning and losing. If you would have kept the score, no we would not have won... But if you would have measured heart and determination, we won! I was very happy with what they accomplished and I can't wait to hit the practice field this afternoon!
Our goal is build strong-young men, in doing so we are Building Warriors here at MCA!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
MCA Football Deer Run Retreat
So, it has been forever since I have been able to update this. It has been a combination of being too busy with MCA Football, life, and lack of commitment to it. I am going to try to be more proactive and consistent in this.
This past weekend we, The MCA Football team and coaching staff, took a retreat to Deer Run Retreat Center in Thompson's Station, TN. (http://deerrunretreat.org/) Deer Run is a Christian based retreat center that allows you to enjoy the outdoors in a safe, quiet environment away from all of the day-to-day stress and noise. The objective of the trip was to help the boys grow closer together as a team and closer to God in their daily walk.
We spent three days and two nights out there that proved to be a trip that was invaluable. The week leading up to our retreat the boys spent eight hours a day in football camp where they were challenged physically and mentally. This included two-a-day practices and chalk talk sessions Monday -Thursday. This is normal practice among most, if not all, high school football programs in the nation. However, this had a little more special value to us as a school, community, and team. This is the first ever football team in the history of McClain Christian Academy.
On Friday, July 23, 2010, we loaded up and headed to Deer Run, where upon arrival we unloaded and made a bee-line to the lake. I am still unsure if all the boys even changed into a swim suit! After the long-hot days we had a lake was like finding a pot of gold! The boys (and coaches) played on the lake for two hours without any break in activity. This was either swimming in the water, playing on the aqua park trampoline, launching Rex and the other smaller players into the air off the blob, or riding a zip-line 20-30 feet above the water and dropping in to cool off. (The water was about as warm as bath water, but no one cared)
Later that night we had a team whiffle ball game and wow, it was an experience. Deer Run has a turf whiffle ball field complete with a fence and lighting! After getting settled into the game, it was a home run derby for six innings. (My team losing 35-34) Following the game we headed over for a devotional at the camp fire lead by Pastor Erik Reed and Shawn Allen from The Journey Church here in Lebanon, TN. (@erikreed and @shawnmallen) This was a great bonding time for the boys to spend in God's Word and to see men and young men let their guard down. I am very grateful and thankful to Erik and Shawn for the great job they did!
The next day was full of more lake time and a low ropes course. If you have never completed a low ropes course then it is highly recommended! The low ropes course consists of mental and physical challenges that everyone in your group must complete as a team. This is not an easy task! It included team work, trust, communication, critical thinking, problem solving, and perseverance. I am very proud of the boys and their progress during this three-hour test!
The boys played from daylight to dark and never slowed down. I couldnt be more proud of the group of young men they are becoming. I am prayerful that they will take this trip and use it to their advantage throughout the season. I want to thank all of the kids, their parents, and especially the dads and coaches who stayed with us throughout the trip!
This past weekend we, The MCA Football team and coaching staff, took a retreat to Deer Run Retreat Center in Thompson's Station, TN. (http://deerrunretreat.org/) Deer Run is a Christian based retreat center that allows you to enjoy the outdoors in a safe, quiet environment away from all of the day-to-day stress and noise. The objective of the trip was to help the boys grow closer together as a team and closer to God in their daily walk.
We spent three days and two nights out there that proved to be a trip that was invaluable. The week leading up to our retreat the boys spent eight hours a day in football camp where they were challenged physically and mentally. This included two-a-day practices and chalk talk sessions Monday -Thursday. This is normal practice among most, if not all, high school football programs in the nation. However, this had a little more special value to us as a school, community, and team. This is the first ever football team in the history of McClain Christian Academy.
On Friday, July 23, 2010, we loaded up and headed to Deer Run, where upon arrival we unloaded and made a bee-line to the lake. I am still unsure if all the boys even changed into a swim suit! After the long-hot days we had a lake was like finding a pot of gold! The boys (and coaches) played on the lake for two hours without any break in activity. This was either swimming in the water, playing on the aqua park trampoline, launching Rex and the other smaller players into the air off the blob, or riding a zip-line 20-30 feet above the water and dropping in to cool off. (The water was about as warm as bath water, but no one cared)
Later that night we had a team whiffle ball game and wow, it was an experience. Deer Run has a turf whiffle ball field complete with a fence and lighting! After getting settled into the game, it was a home run derby for six innings. (My team losing 35-34) Following the game we headed over for a devotional at the camp fire lead by Pastor Erik Reed and Shawn Allen from The Journey Church here in Lebanon, TN. (@erikreed and @shawnmallen) This was a great bonding time for the boys to spend in God's Word and to see men and young men let their guard down. I am very grateful and thankful to Erik and Shawn for the great job they did!
The next day was full of more lake time and a low ropes course. If you have never completed a low ropes course then it is highly recommended! The low ropes course consists of mental and physical challenges that everyone in your group must complete as a team. This is not an easy task! It included team work, trust, communication, critical thinking, problem solving, and perseverance. I am very proud of the boys and their progress during this three-hour test!
The boys played from daylight to dark and never slowed down. I couldnt be more proud of the group of young men they are becoming. I am prayerful that they will take this trip and use it to their advantage throughout the season. I want to thank all of the kids, their parents, and especially the dads and coaches who stayed with us throughout the trip!
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