Week 6 done. In the Columbia Heights game we took the win with a score of 50-14.
A different team played in front of the Orioles fans Friday night. It was the CH Hylanders Homecoming but we came out with determination and it paid off. Our defense allowed one touchdown in the first three quarters of the game and our offense rocked! Xaq had a career high of 5 touchdowns - the pure distinction between this game and games of the past - he finished his drives.
Now why the difference in how the team played in Week 6? CH had the same record we did but we played at a higher level. Some may speculate that it was due to a different defense and a change up of players and positions, others say it has something to do with the very secretive player-to-player talk on Monday (secretive because players aren't talking about what was said), still others will say the team started acting like a team and wanted to fight for every yard, drive, stop and point. Regardless of a single act or the combination of all - the coaches and players pulled it off and I like what I saw that night.
Week 7 started - we are up against Spring Lake Park and it will be a difficult game for us. Add in the potential forecast of mix of snow and rain and we've got ourselves a football game. The Orioles can do this - they have shown improvement over the weeks and can take this game. Time will tell...
Monday, October 12, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Week 5 but ...season is far from over
Ok, so we are in the 5th week of football and the team record is 1 -4; this was not at all expected from this team. We have a number of offensive weapons on the team and they have been doing their job for the most part. Just this past week they switched up the defense so we are hoping for better things from that. Our offensive ranks #2 in the State and our Defense is ranked last...hmmm. We are our own worst enemy (perhaps a bit of an exaggeration).
Right now, Xaq has 611 rushing yards with 2 touchdowns and 199 receiving yards with 2 more touchdowns. He consistently has ranked in the number one spot for rushing in the conference but falls lower in the state ranking. How much does this mean if your team is 1-4; not to much to Xaq. If the team didn't win, he didn't win - no matter what the yardage says. In the last loss against BSM, he says he got his butt chewed by the coaches during film. Good! Every player needs to be called out and put on the spot if they are not doing their job as they are trained to do. What does this do to Xaq? It motivates him and makes him want to work harder - we will see if the coaching and feedback helped.
Next game this week is against Columbia Heights at their field. There is NO REASON the Orioles cannot pull out a win. The team needs to play like the first half of the BSM game consistently. Those who were not pulling their weight and doing their job need to do so this game and every game. The season is not over! This team should make it to the Sectional Finals on November 6th. I am a believer.
GO PARK!
Right now, Xaq has 611 rushing yards with 2 touchdowns and 199 receiving yards with 2 more touchdowns. He consistently has ranked in the number one spot for rushing in the conference but falls lower in the state ranking. How much does this mean if your team is 1-4; not to much to Xaq. If the team didn't win, he didn't win - no matter what the yardage says. In the last loss against BSM, he says he got his butt chewed by the coaches during film. Good! Every player needs to be called out and put on the spot if they are not doing their job as they are trained to do. What does this do to Xaq? It motivates him and makes him want to work harder - we will see if the coaching and feedback helped.
Next game this week is against Columbia Heights at their field. There is NO REASON the Orioles cannot pull out a win. The team needs to play like the first half of the BSM game consistently. Those who were not pulling their weight and doing their job need to do so this game and every game. The season is not over! This team should make it to the Sectional Finals on November 6th. I am a believer.
GO PARK!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Back in Action Like Nothing Happened
Xaq experienced a low in his high school football career however things are back to the way they should be. He and his team are preparing for their 2009 homecoming game after losing the first game of the season on the road 21-28. In the St. Francis game on Sept 3rd, Xaq had 110 rushing yards with 11 carries averaging about 10 yards per carry. He also had a 20 yard reception however he missed out on some key opportunities to score – hey it must be said. All said and done as a team it wasn’t good enough to bring a win.
It’s the day before another big game – nerves are starting. Xaq wants a touchdown and badly. He wants to meet or preferably exceed his average ypc and he wants victory for their team. Will they have a celebration tomorrow night? Absolutely! I firmly believe the boys want it badly enough to go after it.
Go get ‘em boys!
It’s the day before another big game – nerves are starting. Xaq wants a touchdown and badly. He wants to meet or preferably exceed his average ypc and he wants victory for their team. Will they have a celebration tomorrow night? Absolutely! I firmly believe the boys want it badly enough to go after it.
Go get ‘em boys!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Best Coaches Around - St Louis Park MN
I believe the best way to measure a person's character is not when everything is going well but rather when the chips are down. This is the second and final week of two-a-days and Xaq has faced some unforeseen challenges.
With the obstacles this week, the coaches beginning with Head Coach /Athletic Director Andy Ewald partnered with Running Back Coach Jim Bigot and everyone in between, have been extremely supportive. I couldn't ask for my son to be a part of a better football program - sure these guys are coaches but they are also dads and they once played the sport themselves. They can certainly relate to the struggles that players face and speak candidly to the student athletes about how to overcome or work through them. They are the Best Coaches not because of the W/L record but because of their character - and I have witnessed their character.
Looking forward to a better week ahead.
With the obstacles this week, the coaches beginning with Head Coach /Athletic Director Andy Ewald partnered with Running Back Coach Jim Bigot and everyone in between, have been extremely supportive. I couldn't ask for my son to be a part of a better football program - sure these guys are coaches but they are also dads and they once played the sport themselves. They can certainly relate to the struggles that players face and speak candidly to the student athletes about how to overcome or work through them. They are the Best Coaches not because of the W/L record but because of their character - and I have witnessed their character.
Looking forward to a better week ahead.
Monday, August 24, 2009
One Down One To Go
First week of two a days are complete and there is one week to go.
Coach Ewald's tweet said it was a good week but to make this next week perfect; that hit home with Xaq. Often times it is a mental game with him - he practices his running back skills alone with his running back coach. Although his rb coach is knowledgeable and involved Xaq doesn't have the opportunity to learn from other rb's mistakes or great moves/plays - only his own and those are not always so clear.
Xaq is going into this week with the attitude and drive for perfection. He wants to run his routes perfectly, help scout for his teammates and give it his all in the weightroom. After this week he deserves the float - need to fit that appointment in so he can get float on Friday and be fresh for Saturday and the next week of practice. Saturday is the scrimmage at Wayzata High School - it's not a true scrimmage game but it allows them to practice different things against opponents. This will definitely give insight as to how the team may perform both offensively and defensively. And, then Thursday September 3rd is the first game of the 2009 season away against St. Francis. The Orioles beat St Francis last year and hope to repeat that; boys are anxious to play and win. Time will tell...
GO PARK!
SLPfootballmom
Coach Ewald's tweet said it was a good week but to make this next week perfect; that hit home with Xaq. Often times it is a mental game with him - he practices his running back skills alone with his running back coach. Although his rb coach is knowledgeable and involved Xaq doesn't have the opportunity to learn from other rb's mistakes or great moves/plays - only his own and those are not always so clear.
Xaq is going into this week with the attitude and drive for perfection. He wants to run his routes perfectly, help scout for his teammates and give it his all in the weightroom. After this week he deserves the float - need to fit that appointment in so he can get float on Friday and be fresh for Saturday and the next week of practice. Saturday is the scrimmage at Wayzata High School - it's not a true scrimmage game but it allows them to practice different things against opponents. This will definitely give insight as to how the team may perform both offensively and defensively. And, then Thursday September 3rd is the first game of the 2009 season away against St. Francis. The Orioles beat St Francis last year and hope to repeat that; boys are anxious to play and win. Time will tell...
GO PARK!
SLPfootballmom
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Two-a-Days are Underway
Two-a-days began on Monday with the team in place and the coaches ready to teach, correct and praise. Today (Thursday) is first day of pads - the day which Xaq has been waiting.
It is one thing to call a player down because you touched their jersey it is quite another thing to wrap a player up and tackle him when both have pads; this part should not be as easy. I hear Xaq and the players saying bits and pieces of plays from the days; some with laughter following and some with comments like "He is a beast" or "He doesn't have anything on me". All in all they are the same team that comes together under the lights unified as one BUT on the field during two a days when the coach says full contact you better show up to play. Xaq seems to be driven internally to show what he has - whether that is one more yard gained by pulling three players with him, stiff-arming one of his teammates for additional yardage or helping a guy up from the field that he has trucked. He wants to perform well on and off the field, he wants to support his teammates and listen and learn from the coaches. Xaq has an arsenal of coaches on the field each providing prospective - although not always the easiest to take. Football will make you strong both inside and out and the coaches feedback will further strengthen your character. Regardless, you can't fail by trying but if you give up - you give up on succeeding.
Keep pushing, keep moving , drag them with you, leave them behind but .... MAKE IT COUNT.
It is one thing to call a player down because you touched their jersey it is quite another thing to wrap a player up and tackle him when both have pads; this part should not be as easy. I hear Xaq and the players saying bits and pieces of plays from the days; some with laughter following and some with comments like "He is a beast" or "He doesn't have anything on me". All in all they are the same team that comes together under the lights unified as one BUT on the field during two a days when the coach says full contact you better show up to play. Xaq seems to be driven internally to show what he has - whether that is one more yard gained by pulling three players with him, stiff-arming one of his teammates for additional yardage or helping a guy up from the field that he has trucked. He wants to perform well on and off the field, he wants to support his teammates and listen and learn from the coaches. Xaq has an arsenal of coaches on the field each providing prospective - although not always the easiest to take. Football will make you strong both inside and out and the coaches feedback will further strengthen your character. Regardless, you can't fail by trying but if you give up - you give up on succeeding.
Keep pushing, keep moving , drag them with you, leave them behind but .... MAKE IT COUNT.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Acceleration testing results
When Xaq began Acceleration MN four short weeks ago he was tested in a number of areas for speed, quickness and explosiveness. The test took place at the beginning of session before any rigorous training/workout. Today, 4 weeks - 13 sessions later he was tested after a rigorous workout. The results? The test results were the same - the trainer states that Xaq was fresh on his initial testing and was able to push and pull out all stops to earn his results. Today, he was fatigued after his one hour plyo training and pulled off the same numbers as the first day. This means his endurance and stamina have increased over time allowing him to still pull "fresh" results. His consistency has increased and he will be able to operate on all cylinders throughout the game while being as fresh in the last minute of the fourth quarter as he was in the first play of the game. Overall, Xaq seemed please with the results but he is not stopping there - pushing on for further improvement. Go get 'em Xaq.
You have to wonder - if he had been tested today at the beginning of the session would he have seen an improvement in numbers? Does it matter? Not sure....
I am proud of you bud.
GO PARK!
SLPfootballmom
You have to wonder - if he had been tested today at the beginning of the session would he have seen an improvement in numbers? Does it matter? Not sure....
I am proud of you bud.
GO PARK!
SLPfootballmom
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Meeting with Andy Ewald- St Louis Park Football Coach and AD
I admit Zach and I were both a little nervous about this meeting - didn't know what to expect and didn't know what we would hear. All said and done it was a great meeting and Coach Ewald is very knowledgeable about kids playing at the next level because he has done so himself.
Last night Zach and another junior teammate with their respective families met in the weight room at the high school with the coach. The coach talked to us because he believes that these two kids have the ability to play college at scholarship level. I learned "scholarship level" is a big scary place - there are a lot of schools and they fall in different divisions. After this season the coach will evaluate their individual performance and provide his honest feedback on ability to play - and at what level. These boys have not plateaued - not with their knowledge of the game, their developed skill nor their bodies. Coach Ewald spoke to the boys about the next year and half and what to expect, what to plan for and what to work on. He provided a broad calendar of events with to-dos but really went into detail about the events - to be shared on an ongoing basis.
Zach knows what he has to do (academics, football and his body) to be eligible to play college ball- he needs to set his goal of what level he wants to reach. Is it 1a or 2 - I don't think it is D3 but who knows - this is his dream. I know at what level Zach has talked about playing and wants to play; i just need him to be vocal about it so we can all share in his dream and support him.
While we have the next year and a half before college ball - his junior year begins on Monday. The day Zach hits the field for 2 a days. He knows he has a lot of pressure on him to perform well, be a leader and lay it on the line for every game. Sure there will be disappointments but success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm(have to give credit to Sir Winston Churchill for that one). Will they will every game this season? I hope so but may be not - this is where the determination comes in. To make every move, play and game that much better. Zach doesn't want to settle for an OK season; like all of the guys they want to play in the Metrodome this year. Are you ready for some football????
Thursday is the mandatory football meeting for players and parents - can't wait to see the enthusiasm from the boys.
One more change - Zach has decided to be Xaq for the football program. I will begin to reference him as Xaq from now on. Alter ego? Could be...
GO PARK!
SLPfootballmom
Last night Zach and another junior teammate with their respective families met in the weight room at the high school with the coach. The coach talked to us because he believes that these two kids have the ability to play college at scholarship level. I learned "scholarship level" is a big scary place - there are a lot of schools and they fall in different divisions. After this season the coach will evaluate their individual performance and provide his honest feedback on ability to play - and at what level. These boys have not plateaued - not with their knowledge of the game, their developed skill nor their bodies. Coach Ewald spoke to the boys about the next year and half and what to expect, what to plan for and what to work on. He provided a broad calendar of events with to-dos but really went into detail about the events - to be shared on an ongoing basis.
Zach knows what he has to do (academics, football and his body) to be eligible to play college ball- he needs to set his goal of what level he wants to reach. Is it 1a or 2 - I don't think it is D3 but who knows - this is his dream. I know at what level Zach has talked about playing and wants to play; i just need him to be vocal about it so we can all share in his dream and support him.
While we have the next year and a half before college ball - his junior year begins on Monday. The day Zach hits the field for 2 a days. He knows he has a lot of pressure on him to perform well, be a leader and lay it on the line for every game. Sure there will be disappointments but success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm(have to give credit to Sir Winston Churchill for that one). Will they will every game this season? I hope so but may be not - this is where the determination comes in. To make every move, play and game that much better. Zach doesn't want to settle for an OK season; like all of the guys they want to play in the Metrodome this year. Are you ready for some football????
Thursday is the mandatory football meeting for players and parents - can't wait to see the enthusiasm from the boys.
One more change - Zach has decided to be Xaq for the football program. I will begin to reference him as Xaq from now on. Alter ego? Could be...
GO PARK!
SLPfootballmom
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Busy week before 2-a-days
Last week without contact from coaches and I think its killing most of the boys. Zach and his teammate went out today- on Sunday to run routes - I think that says a lot about their coach Andy Ewald. Ewald has the kids wanting to work hard without his constant direction; this is a good sign - they are hungry for the season to begin.
Big week for things to get done, the usual school lifting and throwing this week but on top of that Zach has Acceleration MN training Monday through Thursday with his final pro-agility testing on Thursday; hoping for good results for Zach. Tuesday night is meeting with coach and Thursday is the parent/player football meeting. Although no games going on there is enough football speak to pacify everyone's thirst for the game.
When talking to a couple of Zach's teammates they are ready for pads and 2-a-days. They are thinking positively about the season and working hard to accomplish their goals. Time will tell....
Need to plan out meal plan for 2-a-days; that's my week ahead :)
Go PARK!
SLPfootballmom
Big week for things to get done, the usual school lifting and throwing this week but on top of that Zach has Acceleration MN training Monday through Thursday with his final pro-agility testing on Thursday; hoping for good results for Zach. Tuesday night is meeting with coach and Thursday is the parent/player football meeting. Although no games going on there is enough football speak to pacify everyone's thirst for the game.
When talking to a couple of Zach's teammates they are ready for pads and 2-a-days. They are thinking positively about the season and working hard to accomplish their goals. Time will tell....
Need to plan out meal plan for 2-a-days; that's my week ahead :)
Go PARK!
SLPfootballmom
Friday, August 7, 2009
Intro to Zach (XAQ) by mom
Hello, I have wanted to blog for so long about this journey but never felt more ready than I do today. This is my first blog.
One of my biggest passions in life is watching my children grow to be men and I think football teaches a lot of life lessons that can be applied on or off the field. This blog will allow me to praise, vent, dream, witness all of the trials and tribulations of Zach getting into college as a student athlete all the while sharing that the journey with you.
Let's begin. Zach will be a junior in high school this fall 09 and it will be his first full season starting varsity Football. (He played both JV and Varsity last year) He stands nearly 6 feet, 185 lbs and is the starting running back for the St Louis Park Orioles in MN.
Zach has had a great off- season putting on 15 pounds from the end of last season to now. This wasn't easy though. He worked out, ate nutritionally following a suggested diet of 4000-5000 calories a day, drinks his protein and creatine and gets plenty of sleep. Now we are nearing the end of summer and there are 9 days left until 2 a days begin- oh I can't wait for this. The summer has been filled with opportunities for Zach. He is on a passing league team where they traveled to tournaments at both U of Minnesota, U of Notre Dame and NFL Vikings Training Camp. Every Tuesday he played in 7-on-7 passing league in Hopkins, he attended FBU - Football Ball University camp and now he is finishing up his training at Acceleration Minnesota - Plymouth location. August 17th it all begins for the 09 season. Zach has 9 days left before the season begins, 9 days left before he demonstrates all of the hard work from the off-season, 9 days left before he and his team band together for a great season.
I hope you return to this blog for updates on Zach. He WILL play college football - that I know for sure- this will detail how he gets there.
Signing off,
GO PARK!
SLPfootball mom
One of my biggest passions in life is watching my children grow to be men and I think football teaches a lot of life lessons that can be applied on or off the field. This blog will allow me to praise, vent, dream, witness all of the trials and tribulations of Zach getting into college as a student athlete all the while sharing that the journey with you.
Let's begin. Zach will be a junior in high school this fall 09 and it will be his first full season starting varsity Football. (He played both JV and Varsity last year) He stands nearly 6 feet, 185 lbs and is the starting running back for the St Louis Park Orioles in MN.
Zach has had a great off- season putting on 15 pounds from the end of last season to now. This wasn't easy though. He worked out, ate nutritionally following a suggested diet of 4000-5000 calories a day, drinks his protein and creatine and gets plenty of sleep. Now we are nearing the end of summer and there are 9 days left until 2 a days begin- oh I can't wait for this. The summer has been filled with opportunities for Zach. He is on a passing league team where they traveled to tournaments at both U of Minnesota, U of Notre Dame and NFL Vikings Training Camp. Every Tuesday he played in 7-on-7 passing league in Hopkins, he attended FBU - Football Ball University camp and now he is finishing up his training at Acceleration Minnesota - Plymouth location. August 17th it all begins for the 09 season. Zach has 9 days left before the season begins, 9 days left before he demonstrates all of the hard work from the off-season, 9 days left before he and his team band together for a great season.
I hope you return to this blog for updates on Zach. He WILL play college football - that I know for sure- this will detail how he gets there.
Signing off,
GO PARK!
SLPfootball mom
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