Today wasn’t our best day of practice so far. It was hot, butwe know that every other high school football team is practicing in the same conditions that we are. We have to be tough and get better every day.
The offensive and defensive lines are starting to come together. It is tough to judge off of just three days of practice. The sophomores (Ralph Van Allman and Terry Tate) are starting to pick up the system. They aren’t playing like sophomores. They are big kids and they are hitting hard. The returning linemen aren’t giving them any breaks. Everyone is hitting hard when we go man on man.
Right now, one of our biggest concerns is making sure everyone on the line knows who to block on what play. The playbook is complicated and there are many blocking calls. We have to get it right on every play.
The team is really starting to come together. This group is working hard. This is my last season as a Tyrone football player and we as a senior class are pushing the underclassmen because we want to improve off of how last season went. We don’t want to become a .500 program. Coach Franco expects more from us and we expect more as well.
There is no “I” in this team. We are encouraging each other. If one person makes a mistake, there is one teammate helping them correct it and another teammate picking him up.
This season is especially tough but one that will motivate me. Randy Estright was one of my best friends. Going down the hill to practice everyday is tough because he isn’t there, but it is motivating us as a group because we are playing for him. We believe he is with us every step of the way and we are looking forward to going on this journey together.
One thing I can say.. I definately won’t miss camp; but I will miss High School football. It has taught me discipline, a good work ethic and working together. I don’t think I will ever be as close to a group of people as I am with my team. They are a whole new family. We enjoy being together and are working together to represent our community. I know next year, I will look back and miss being a part of Tyrone football. It is something very special and something that will be with me forever.
