Well, it was not how we wanted to start a football game off this past Saturday, when we fumbled on our second offensive snap and consequently gave up a quick touchdown. That start to the first half was followed with more inability to move the ball on offense and three other touchdown runs right through the middle of our defense. I don't think anyone was feeling great about jogging to the south end zone at halftime down 26-0.
It was a good discussion however at the half and I'm sure it helped the boys understand that you can't show up to the field with no attitude and energy and expect the other team to lay down and give you the football game, the scoreboard made that very clear. There are two ways to respond at that point, either you hang your head and continue to get beat even worse or you leave the first half behind and go out and fight to win the second half.
I was very happy to see our group never give up, choosing the second option and battling through the second half. I realize down by more than 18 points it helped that we were able to receive the second half kick when it should have been West Bend's ball and again after we scored our first touchdown, we were able to receive again. None the less, we were able to find offensive contributions from some new faces which is always exciting to see kids finally "get it" and put together two nice touchdown drives with a third underway when what happens to all losing teams happened to us...we ran out of time.
The game ended a respectable 26-13, the defense also played great in the second half holding the Spartans scoreless, forcing and recovering three fumbles. All this against the same running back that scored a couple times in the first half.
It was a gutsy performance by a great bunch of kids, I was happy to see the team respond like that and I look forward to good week of practice leading up to a big game against Oshkosh West in Oshkosh this Saturday. It will be our first road game and we will be in our white game jerseys arriving at the same time as usual 12:30pm.
Coach Connors
Monday, September 20, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
GOOD START
That was a good way to start the season, I'm very happy with the way the boys played and I'm glad they were able to start the season with a win. There were many positives to the game, we didn't commit many penalties, only had one fumble, no bad qb/center exchanges, we were able to run the ball, got a number of first downs and overall the defense did a really good job. It was a great opening and now I look forward to building from here and improving with each week.
I though overall the team involvement was good, 2 kids scored, 7 ran the ball, 3 caught passes, 3 kicked, 4 had kick returns and 12 played a lot of time either on the offensive or defensive line. However, week one was a work in progress and that goes for the coaches as well, I realized it is quite challenging even with 4 coaches to rotate 28 kids, call plays and manage the flow of the game. One of the biggest surprises was that I think that we had only 5 or 6 offensive possessions the entire game (3 touchdowns, 1 punt and 1 fumble is what I recall) and I expected more opportunities to run plays and make substitutions. Just like I expect the kids to improve, I will improve as well as I know that there was limited playing time when it came to running backs and also that many of the guys didn't get to play defense and those that did didn't play much offense. That will change and the rotations will get smoother as we look to let the guys get playing time on both sides of the ball.
As of Today we are now in our set practice schedule which is Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, same times and location. I know the weather is getting cooler so the guys need to start dressing appropriately and continue to stay hydrated. Time to start preparing for West Bend West this Saturday.
Coach Tim
I though overall the team involvement was good, 2 kids scored, 7 ran the ball, 3 caught passes, 3 kicked, 4 had kick returns and 12 played a lot of time either on the offensive or defensive line. However, week one was a work in progress and that goes for the coaches as well, I realized it is quite challenging even with 4 coaches to rotate 28 kids, call plays and manage the flow of the game. One of the biggest surprises was that I think that we had only 5 or 6 offensive possessions the entire game (3 touchdowns, 1 punt and 1 fumble is what I recall) and I expected more opportunities to run plays and make substitutions. Just like I expect the kids to improve, I will improve as well as I know that there was limited playing time when it came to running backs and also that many of the guys didn't get to play defense and those that did didn't play much offense. That will change and the rotations will get smoother as we look to let the guys get playing time on both sides of the ball.
As of Today we are now in our set practice schedule which is Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, same times and location. I know the weather is getting cooler so the guys need to start dressing appropriately and continue to stay hydrated. Time to start preparing for West Bend West this Saturday.
Coach Tim
Friday, September 10, 2010
TOMORROW'S FIRST GAME
Now that the Orange team is online and I am officially last, so I've been told at practice, it is time for the 5th grade black team's first post. Sorry it took so long and first off I would just like to thank each and every one of you parents for your support of the team through this point in the season, all the guys show up on time and I have received calls and emails if they are not there for some reason, so thanks again for your involvement.
Like coach Dave said, I too think the two teams couldn't have been split more evenly and although we are coming off of a tough scrimmage in Mayville, I think it was great that the boys got to play against some older kids who already had a year of experience. It seemed to be an eye opener as to how we need to play the games, I think it led into two good weeks of practice and I am anxious to see how everyone responds in Tomorrow's game against Tosa West.
For the game Tomorrow, each player has a kickoff or kick return assignment as well as a primary offensive or defensive position. Two players won't be at the game, so with our total at 26 players and 22 starting spots that leaves four this week to rotate through their offensive/defensive positions. We will attempt to rotate as many as we can on both offense and defense depending on the flow of the game, so please talk to your player about what their roles are and especially if they are on offense quiz them as to what they have to do on each of the plays in the playbook I handed out.
Again just a reminder that everyone needs to be at the field near the town hall off hwy K by 12:30pm so we can begin our pregame routine. Please make sure that names are off the front of the helmets and they are cleaned up. We are in black jerseys and black pants, I also asked that the guys wear long orange socks, if you haven't found them white will be fine. Also, if the weather is cold or rainy, long sleeve shirts under the pads cannot have hoods and need to be orange, black, grey or white (orange or black preferably).
If you are attending the varsity game tonight, the boys are invited to wear their jersey's and form the tunnel for the varsity players before the game and at halftime like last week, they can do this for every home game. That's all I have for now, hopefully everyone is excited and the boys come out fired up for Tomorrow's game. Good luck to the orange team as they head out to Brookfield.
Coach Tim
Like coach Dave said, I too think the two teams couldn't have been split more evenly and although we are coming off of a tough scrimmage in Mayville, I think it was great that the boys got to play against some older kids who already had a year of experience. It seemed to be an eye opener as to how we need to play the games, I think it led into two good weeks of practice and I am anxious to see how everyone responds in Tomorrow's game against Tosa West.
For the game Tomorrow, each player has a kickoff or kick return assignment as well as a primary offensive or defensive position. Two players won't be at the game, so with our total at 26 players and 22 starting spots that leaves four this week to rotate through their offensive/defensive positions. We will attempt to rotate as many as we can on both offense and defense depending on the flow of the game, so please talk to your player about what their roles are and especially if they are on offense quiz them as to what they have to do on each of the plays in the playbook I handed out.
Again just a reminder that everyone needs to be at the field near the town hall off hwy K by 12:30pm so we can begin our pregame routine. Please make sure that names are off the front of the helmets and they are cleaned up. We are in black jerseys and black pants, I also asked that the guys wear long orange socks, if you haven't found them white will be fine. Also, if the weather is cold or rainy, long sleeve shirts under the pads cannot have hoods and need to be orange, black, grey or white (orange or black preferably).
If you are attending the varsity game tonight, the boys are invited to wear their jersey's and form the tunnel for the varsity players before the game and at halftime like last week, they can do this for every home game. That's all I have for now, hopefully everyone is excited and the boys come out fired up for Tomorrow's game. Good luck to the orange team as they head out to Brookfield.
Coach Tim
Saturday, November 14, 2009
A Few Thank-You's and Wrap-up
As it goes at most end of the season Banquets, there are always a few Thank-You's that get missed for various reasons. And I always feel bad when that happens. I usually remember about 2 minutes after I sit back down and even though I had planned to make sure I included them, I somehow miss them anyway. So here goes.
First of all I would like to thank the Team Managers for all of their great support for the season. Usually we have a few dads that perform this function, but this year we had 3 couples handle this for us. Both Mom's and Dad's were always there ready to help with equipment needs or Ice bags at practice. And the dad's shined on the sideline as our waterboys for the season, So I would like to thank the Buddenhagens, the Guetzkes, and the Kennedy's for all their efforts and support this season. It sure makes it easier to coach when all the other tasks are handled.
Of course all of the volunteers that helped out on Game Day, with equipment distribution and return, and all the other behind the scenes activities. The club only grows greater with the support of all the volunteers.
And of course the support of my family and my Lovely Wife Lynne. I had coached 6th grade for 9 years prior to taking 2 years off to handle the equipment shed and watch my son at the HS lower levels. And she thought that maybe I was done spending my fall evenings at the HS. I really love coaching the kids and wanted to get back into coaching, especially since we were starting up a 5th grade program and this has been one of my drives for several years. So we made a deal, since we had to put our 2 older Siberian Huskies down over the previuos year and a half, I could coach, if she could get a puppy. Well now we have 2 dogs, and 2 birds in the house. So I guess I get to coach for a while.
I will be back at 5th grade next year, I enjoyed this group of players as much as any I have had over the years, and to some point, they will hold a special place as the first group of 5th graders. It is a very rewarding experiance to watch them grow through the program and into HS and on to college. There are 3 players that I personally coached playing D1 football, and many more playing at other colleges around the state. It is fun to follow their successes and watch them grow, not only athletically but as fine young men in the community.
Thanks again to everyone for a great 1st season of 5th grade Football, and especially the players for making this year special. Good luck to all of you next season and beyond, and remember, I'll be watching you. Make MeProud.
Coach Dave,
First of all I would like to thank the Team Managers for all of their great support for the season. Usually we have a few dads that perform this function, but this year we had 3 couples handle this for us. Both Mom's and Dad's were always there ready to help with equipment needs or Ice bags at practice. And the dad's shined on the sideline as our waterboys for the season, So I would like to thank the Buddenhagens, the Guetzkes, and the Kennedy's for all their efforts and support this season. It sure makes it easier to coach when all the other tasks are handled.
Of course all of the volunteers that helped out on Game Day, with equipment distribution and return, and all the other behind the scenes activities. The club only grows greater with the support of all the volunteers.
And of course the support of my family and my Lovely Wife Lynne. I had coached 6th grade for 9 years prior to taking 2 years off to handle the equipment shed and watch my son at the HS lower levels. And she thought that maybe I was done spending my fall evenings at the HS. I really love coaching the kids and wanted to get back into coaching, especially since we were starting up a 5th grade program and this has been one of my drives for several years. So we made a deal, since we had to put our 2 older Siberian Huskies down over the previuos year and a half, I could coach, if she could get a puppy. Well now we have 2 dogs, and 2 birds in the house. So I guess I get to coach for a while.
I will be back at 5th grade next year, I enjoyed this group of players as much as any I have had over the years, and to some point, they will hold a special place as the first group of 5th graders. It is a very rewarding experiance to watch them grow through the program and into HS and on to college. There are 3 players that I personally coached playing D1 football, and many more playing at other colleges around the state. It is fun to follow their successes and watch them grow, not only athletically but as fine young men in the community.
Thanks again to everyone for a great 1st season of 5th grade Football, and especially the players for making this year special. Good luck to all of you next season and beyond, and remember, I'll be watching you. Make MeProud.
Coach Dave,
Saturday, October 31, 2009
A Wonderful Cap to our Inaugaral Season
It was a cold and muddy day, so that meant it was time to go back to power Hartford Football and Power we did. We scored on the second play from scrimmage, A simple 26 base for about 60 yards and we never looked back. Our defense was stellar again, pitching their 3rd shutout of the year. On offense we tried a few things but simply ran up the middle almost all day. The kids said before the game, that they had some big players on their team, but our young men came up bigger in the end.
We as coaches are so proud of how the team performed this year. And as I have always stated, Wins are a bonus. The most important part of these first few years is to establish the basics, let the kids play as much as possible and have fun. I think that we accomplished all of these goals, at least I hope that we did, because certainly we tried to. This was a fine bunch of young men to work with and it will be exciting to see them progress over the next 7 years of Hartford Football.
From day 1 of learning how to put the knee-pads in the right way, and finding out that there is a difference between offense and defense, to running from shotgun, calling red, blue, green audibles, and learning how to run the same play from a pro-formation or a Power-I formation or a Shotgun formation, they sure have come a long way. And it's fun for me as a coach to watch the changes over the season, I hope that it was for you as Fans and as Players as well.
Just a reminder that the 5th grade team will meet at the equipment shed on Tues. Nov. 10th at 6 PM for a coaches sponsored pizza party while the parents return their equipment. Also the end of the year banquet will be Wed. Nov. 11th in the HUHS large cafeteria. Check the events page to see what dish you should bring. This is for the entire family. Registration will also take place at the banquet and this to me is the real measure of the success of our season as I base it on how many players decide to return and play next season. If they have fun this year, they will be back. I hope to many if not all pf you next season.
Thanks for a great season.
Coach Dave,
We as coaches are so proud of how the team performed this year. And as I have always stated, Wins are a bonus. The most important part of these first few years is to establish the basics, let the kids play as much as possible and have fun. I think that we accomplished all of these goals, at least I hope that we did, because certainly we tried to. This was a fine bunch of young men to work with and it will be exciting to see them progress over the next 7 years of Hartford Football.
From day 1 of learning how to put the knee-pads in the right way, and finding out that there is a difference between offense and defense, to running from shotgun, calling red, blue, green audibles, and learning how to run the same play from a pro-formation or a Power-I formation or a Shotgun formation, they sure have come a long way. And it's fun for me as a coach to watch the changes over the season, I hope that it was for you as Fans and as Players as well.
Just a reminder that the 5th grade team will meet at the equipment shed on Tues. Nov. 10th at 6 PM for a coaches sponsored pizza party while the parents return their equipment. Also the end of the year banquet will be Wed. Nov. 11th in the HUHS large cafeteria. Check the events page to see what dish you should bring. This is for the entire family. Registration will also take place at the banquet and this to me is the real measure of the success of our season as I base it on how many players decide to return and play next season. If they have fun this year, they will be back. I hope to many if not all pf you next season.
Thanks for a great season.
Coach Dave,
Saturday, October 24, 2009
A Great Defensive Day!!!!
Our opponent today was 0-4-2 coming into today's action so we knew that they would be hungry for a victory. And they did put up a good battle until the end. However, our team, especially our defense was equal to the task and even superior for most of the day. I believe that Tosa West only had a couple of 1st downs for the entire day and seems that we were pushing them back more than they were going forward. And it all culminated in a game icing safety with less than 2 mins to go. Super job by the defense today.
On the other hand our offense although solid for most of the day, was shaky at times. We did move the ball well as we maintained field position all day, and gave up the ball inside the Tosa 10 yard line 2 or 3 times. Turn-overs and penalties were our Achilles heal today. I guess the cold weather may have caught up with everyone. However, we were able to pull it together enough to get into the end zone once, and make the extra point. And the team never gave up and our runners did run hard all day and earned every yard that they gained.
This may be our last game of the season. We are working on lining up a game with another 5th grade team that we have not played, and that would be hosting a game with their older grades. At this time we have a maybe from Saukville, I should have confirmation on this by Monday. We will practice Monday and Tuesday 4;45 - 6:30, but if weather is very bad, we may wrap up early. If we have a game next Sat we will practice on Thursday as well.
Regardless of whether we have a game or not, It has been a great season. I believe that I can speak for all of the coaches by saying that we are proud to have been able to work with these fine young men this year. This is a very gifted group and they have come together as a team and really worked well together all season. Next year they will be split into 2 teams, but we told them to remember that even though they will play separate schedules, they will still be one team and they will come back together as one unit in High School.
Once again Congratulations to the team on the game and the season. And keep up the good work this next week and next season.
Coach Dave,
On the other hand our offense although solid for most of the day, was shaky at times. We did move the ball well as we maintained field position all day, and gave up the ball inside the Tosa 10 yard line 2 or 3 times. Turn-overs and penalties were our Achilles heal today. I guess the cold weather may have caught up with everyone. However, we were able to pull it together enough to get into the end zone once, and make the extra point. And the team never gave up and our runners did run hard all day and earned every yard that they gained.
This may be our last game of the season. We are working on lining up a game with another 5th grade team that we have not played, and that would be hosting a game with their older grades. At this time we have a maybe from Saukville, I should have confirmation on this by Monday. We will practice Monday and Tuesday 4;45 - 6:30, but if weather is very bad, we may wrap up early. If we have a game next Sat we will practice on Thursday as well.
Regardless of whether we have a game or not, It has been a great season. I believe that I can speak for all of the coaches by saying that we are proud to have been able to work with these fine young men this year. This is a very gifted group and they have come together as a team and really worked well together all season. Next year they will be split into 2 teams, but we told them to remember that even though they will play separate schedules, they will still be one team and they will come back together as one unit in High School.
Once again Congratulations to the team on the game and the season. And keep up the good work this next week and next season.
Coach Dave,
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Just not our day
It was a Tough day for the 5th Grade team this last week. Once again, we just did not come prepared to play. We made a lot of mental mistakes and unfortunately a lot of physical mistakes as well. And it's hard to be successful with that combination. Not sure if it was overconfidence with the 2 -game win streak, or the fact that we had scrimmaged this team before and fared fairly well against them, but we could see it in the teams preparation this week, and warned them that this could happen because practices were not sharp. Things got as little better in the second half, but we had created too much of a hole to dig out of. Let's hope that we get back to where we know that we can be for the rest of the season, and finish our last home game on a positive note.
Our next opponent will be Wauwatosa West. We may have a little better record than they do, but they have played some close games against some tough teams. We better be ready as they will be hungary to get their 1st win of the season in what may be their last game of the year as well.
As you may know, 5th grade is only scheduled for 7 games, while 6th - 8th grade are scheduled for 8 games. We are trying to contact potential teams that the upper grades will match up with to see if there may be any interest in one more 5th grade match-up. This would be an away game, and I realize that this would also be on Halloween. so we also need to know what type of participation we would have. The Thursady and Friday prior are also Teachers convention, so some families plan a long weekend trip. All of these factors will come into play when we make our decision to play or not in that 8th week. We will keep you posted.
Thanks and let'sm finish with a bang.
Coach Dave
Our next opponent will be Wauwatosa West. We may have a little better record than they do, but they have played some close games against some tough teams. We better be ready as they will be hungary to get their 1st win of the season in what may be their last game of the year as well.
As you may know, 5th grade is only scheduled for 7 games, while 6th - 8th grade are scheduled for 8 games. We are trying to contact potential teams that the upper grades will match up with to see if there may be any interest in one more 5th grade match-up. This would be an away game, and I realize that this would also be on Halloween. so we also need to know what type of participation we would have. The Thursady and Friday prior are also Teachers convention, so some families plan a long weekend trip. All of these factors will come into play when we make our decision to play or not in that 8th week. We will keep you posted.
Thanks and let'sm finish with a bang.
Coach Dave
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