Tough loss in the play offs to Riverton 13-7

A trick play from Riverton surprised us in the end to win it. I feel really bad that during the time out I didn't warn our line backers and Db"s to stay home and watch for something tricky. As a coach I should have seen it coming. I've had a pretty good read on most of the teams we've played but Saturday I got out coached and that hurts.

The Boys were on fire this week. They came out this week with heart and toughness and played like champs. I know that each one cared and didn't want it to end this way. I was taken back when some kids came up to me and apologized for the loss. They said things "like it was my fault".." I didn't block my guy"... "I should have made the tackle"... The thing is, it's not their fault. Its not any individuals fault. When we won it was a team win and so it is when we lose, a team loss. I will remember this season not for the scores of the games but for the relationships and friendships made and the challenges we overcame together. I'm so proud of their development they are fine young men.

It's not over yet though. We still have the Border Warz Tournament. So Good luck boys.

Check out or game pictures at http://precision-photo.smugmug.com/

Alta goes to playoffs win 28-0 win over Tooele

Alta makes the playoffs with a win over Tooele buffaloes 28-0. Early touch down throws to Zack and Corey put the buffaloes on their heels. Zander , Alex and Alec got to field punts and Trudo got to run the ball. Nate got tested on defense. It was an easy match up with Tooele invoking the mercy rule in the third quarter(Clock runs without stopping). I must say what good sportsmen Tooele's coaches were they were nothing but gracious and complimentary after the game. Its too bad we as coaches cant be like that all the time. I speak collectively, because i think we have awesome coaches on this team.

Char·ac·ter [ kárrəktər ]

CHAR- AC- TER is by definition: The peculiar quality, or the sum of qualities, by which a person or a thing is distinguished from others; the stamp impressed by nature, education, or habit; that which a person or thing really is. I was impressed with our win over the Hillcrest Huskies but during the game several other thoughts played out in my head. I began to wonder if we were helping the boys build character and I also wondered what was the character of our team.

Heywood Campbell said" Character is a set of behavior traits that define what sort of person an individual is. It determines whether a person will effectively achieve goals."

My younger son who plays for the Gremlins said to me Saturday "Dad you are playing cream puff teams are you going to be ready when it really counts" .. I was taken back a minute..,...well I thought that depends on the character of our team. To understand our teams character we need to understand that our teams personality and character are different. Personality is primarily inborn traits, Character consists of learned behaviors.

To break it down even further the characteristics that make up a person or team or characterize a person or team taken collectively define our character. And don't forget they are learned. There in lies our responsibility as coaches. What are the characteristics of our team:

Are we dependable? Are we Inconsistent? Are we determined?
Are we quick to give up? Are we committed? Are we persistent?
Are we dedicated ? Are we courageous ? Are we resilient ?
Are we invincible ? Are we believing ? Are we enduring ?
Are we humble ? Are we prideful ? Are we sportsmen ?

and last but not least ARE WE CHAMPIONS ?

On Saturday I saw some things that indicated we have developed some good characteristics and I saw some things some things that indicated we still have some improvements to make.

I love football because I believe football is more about what happens day to day than what happens Saturday. Game days during football doesn't build character, it reveals it.

Alta Mighty Mites Pewter... Champions a work in progress.

Alta Tames The Huskies 38-0

What a fun game! It's always fun when you win. Our guys did a great job today and many got to do things that they don't normally do like run the ball, some got to kick, some got to call their own plays and hopefully everybody got more playing time, Yeah!

I just wanted to point out some plays that impressed me. Congratulations to Trudo for scoring his first touchdown and Linares who scored, well almost scored his first touchdown but it was a nice interception and run back anyway and to Tripp who also made a good run after a catch, offensive and defensive line and backs and last but not least was Hemi's awesome on side kick, which we recovered. I'm sure I'm missing somebody else's good deeds but those were the ones that were impressive to me today. Some of you other guys (Chris, Zack, Ryan, Bourne, Joe etc.) could also be mentioned but you've done good things before so now it's expected of you. Nice win team and good job everybody, keep it up and maybe you can get Coach Kory to sing "Eye of the Tiger" for you.

By the way, be sure to check out Hillcrest game pictures at: http://precision-photo.smugmug.com/ then click on the Alta vs Hillcrest gallery.

Alta Beats Taylorsville Warriors 20-7

Wow! That was an exciting game. I think the kids did a great job. It was really nice to see them fight back after being down in the fourth quarter to dominate. I know the boys felt a little tired but they hung in there and dug down deep and were able to find the will and reserve they needed to win the game. Nice job everyone.

I wish I could say the same for this coach. This year I've been trying to work on being a little more quite and not so loud. My wife says that when I'm loud I sound mean. I say "I'm just excited and want the boys to be able to hear me." She says "they can hear me in Tooele. "

Well, this week I thought I was doing pretty well even when some of the calls weren't going our way I stayed cool. I went home excited to talk to my wife. I told her "see I was able to stay calm and quite today." her reply to me was "not even close." Yikes shocker. So if I was too loud again this week, just know I'm working on it. Better luck next week. By the way the photographer was at this game too check it out at: http://precision-photo.smugmug.com/ I also suggested that in the future he should take a variety of shots of different players on both sides of the ball and not just the main action. Maybe more kids will be in the shots that way.

The Lghts Are Turning On

OFF TO A GOOD START THIS WEEK

I have to say that this week I've been really proud of the boys. I have seen more effort this week then in the past few weeks. It is really exciting to see it click in some of the boys. They are really starting to get it. Jorgy has turned it on and is quite a hitter. Luke just wants to hit anything that moves. Jake, Dally and Fisker are just plain brutes. Chase and Hemi have made huge strides in their blocking techniques and so has Justin. What studs. Chris and Trudo love to make those clean up tackles and are learning that it's funner to hit than be hit. Nick and Nate stand out there on the sides like stately bookends keeping everything inside. Keep up the good work. Zack and Crosby, the rainbow ponies, are improving too. Ryan and Joe are doing a good job bringing the thunder on those lead blocks. Corey, dude you can move when you are being chased. Alec is working hard. Yep! you da man (with the hands). And last but not least my two super buds (I mean studs) Hales and Zander who can play where ever you ask them to, they are always ready. I hope I'm not leaving anyone out because this week you are all bringing it... I love it.. Its' fun to watch you guys get better.

Alta beats Bountiful in the mud 35-0

Saturday was our first game in real football weather. It was a crisp 65 degrees and raining. We faired well, no one complained as far as I could tell. Our success goes to the fact that we just pounded the ball right down their throat. If I'm not mistaken, we only threw the ball twice. Even some of the non starters got to run the ball. How fun is that. I must say that any win at this point should be a confidence builder to the team and they should build from there. There is a quote by Walt Kelly and it goes "I'VE FOUND THE ENEMY AND HE IS US". This is really how our team rolls, when we are on and decide to play we can do good things and on the other hand we can be our worst enemy when we lack the desire to compete. By the way, what is up with last weeks Riverton team beating up Grantsville 77-0. That Riverton coach needs a lesson in coaching. (when the game is in hand pull your starters).

Enough of that. A photographer asked if he could photograph our game on Saturday against Bountiful so I told him sure why not. I have his link if anyone is interested in purchasing any of his shots. Here it is: http://precision-photo.smugmug.com/ then just click on the gallery that says Alta versus Bountiful. By the way, there are some good ones of Chase running the ball and Joe's blocked punt.

Riverton takes Alta behind the wood shed 27-6

What an ugly game on a lot of fronts. Some of the goals we wanted to do on offense never got accomplished. We didn't control the line of scrimmage and we weren't tough physical brutes on defense. This week we didn't run well enough to inflict our will on our opponents and the blocking on the run plays by our backs and receivers was missing on many of the key plays. On a positive note the quarter back had plenty of time to throw this week and that was great. I just wish we could have connected on our passes when we had the good protection. Turn overs killed us again especially the one on the first drive. The boys need to do a gut check because at this point its about how much competitive spirit they have and are willing to bring to the surface.

Alta Pewter Beats Alta Crimson 15-6

What a hard fought game with tons of emotional ups and downs. I really liked the way the team fought back and won the game. Alec Davey nice catch. Way to be ready when called upon to do your job. Ryan way to lay out for a ball too. Zack nice moves for a score. Crosby nice arm this week. Offensive line was tough. It looks like the new blocking will help. Joe Denos nice sack on fourth down to end the half. Ry nice tackle for a safety. Nate Tripp sorry for busting your chops when it was actually Trudo's guy who caught the ball. Nick Linares your best play was when you didn't even make the play but turned the guy in on the sweep that could have gone for big yards. Chris good job on not giving up and pursuing your guy all the way to the sideline. Defensive team way to step up and stop them from scoring when they were pounding on the door, It took a lot of heart. I must say it was just an all round gutty effort by everyone and that's how we will have to play to win all of our games. It doesn't get any easier, we have a must win game coming up against Riverton. Good luck Boys.

YUMM!

Wow! what a tail gait party the kids loved it. I think I speak for the coaches too, we loved it. The hot dogs and chili was a hit. Kudo's to the team moms and the parents who work so hard on behalf of the boys. Parties like that boost moral and build friendships that last for years. I know that my boy's still talk about pep rally's from previous years like they were just yesterday. I went to a coaches camp some years ago and one of the instructors said that some kids only motivation might be to play for the end of game treats , half time snacks and parties and that's OK because it will eventually change to something else (like maybe "winning and succeeding in football"). Silly me, what do I know I thought we played for the love of game, the thrill of the hit, the crushing block, the long run where your feet barely touch the ground, the amazing flying catch, the smell of fresh cut grass or the smell of hard earned sweaty pads..... So if truth be told Team Mom's you may be more remembered in the years to come than the coaches or the season it self. GOOD JOB MOMS- WE APPRECIATE IT, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

Alta vs Bountiful

ALTA WINS

Well, that's what will happen this week regardless of which team wins. I am hoping that we can right the ship this week as the last two weeks we lost the fight. In the loss to Bountiful we didn't use our quickness to penetrate the defense and on offense our line was a little leaky. Hopefully this week we can work of the fundamentals again. We've got to have lanes to run in and time to pass or our aspirations will have to be re adjusted. You always hear that you have to take the other teams will to win away and replace it with the will to survive. Lets not let that happen to us. With a win this week we can still be in the hunt for a play off spot and if we get lucky maybe some teams will beat the teams we lost to. This week its us or them for the bragging rights to be the best Alta team in our division. Let the victor be Alta Pewter

Feelin' Down

I didn't want to post this week because I felt DOWN. We worked hard and should have won our last game. We knew Olympus' every play and we knew how to exploit their weaknesses but we didn't get it done. So there is why I was feeling sorry for myself and the team. What a mistake... I was reading an article writen by Lee Benson of the Deseret News that lifted my soul. I'll sort of tell the story and paraphrase it for you.
" When Art Berg broke his neck in the summer of 1983 he had no idea it would help the Baltimore Ravens win the 2001 Super Bowl.

He was traveling across a lonely stretch of Nevada freeway, a 21 year old Californian on his way to Utah to get married, when the car he was riding in smacked head on into a car traveling in the opposite direction. One minute he was on top of the world, the next he was in a Las Vegas emergency room with doctors shaking their heads. He had broken his 5th vertebra in his neck rendering his arms and legs useless. To medical science he was a Quadraplegic, tethered to his wheel chair for the rest of his life. No sooner did he regain conciousness than he began hearing all the things he wouldn't be able to do.

Incredibly Art, He layed there Paralyzed and began to tell himself all the things he could do.

Amoung the many inspirations he turned to were the words of a 19th century English poet named Williqam Ernest Henly who, when facing a crisis of his own, wrote a poem called "INVICTUS," which is a latin word for "unconquered, unsubdued, invincible."

The poems last stanza goes like this:

"It matters not how strait the gate
How charged with punishments the scroll
I am the master of my fate;
I am the master of my soul."

Holding to that thought, Art embarked on a journey that took him to heights he may never have visited if he hadn't been tethered to his wheelchair. He became an accomplished athlete (he ran numerous marathons and played on a nationaly ranked wheelchair rugby team), A fulfilled Family man (the woman he was engaged to waited for him and they had two children), A sucessful businessman (he was named Young entrepeneur of the year in 1992), and he was one of the country's most sought after motivational speakers (at age 39 he was in the National Speaker's Hall of Fame).

Art Berg, Champion paralytic, rolled into the Baltimore Ravens pre season camp for a 7:30 in the morning speech. Dozens of football players in the midst of two-a-days sprawled in front of him in various stages of repose, These players had heard half time speeches and rah rah talks since they were probably Gremlins. Now what was this man in a wheelchair going to tell them that they hadn't already heared?

Then the man in the wheelchair told them about "INVICTUS". He told them not to worry about the negatives that would come along during the season, but to prepare for how they would handle whatever they turned out to be.

He told them what he did.

In the first preseason game after the speech, the Ravens were in a deep hole at half time. David Modell, the teams president, told Art, who was sitting next to him in the owners box, that if the Ravens some how could pull out the win, He was going to put the word "INVICTUS" on the scoreboard.

The Ravens won. There after, following every win, "INVICTUS" was put on the board.

During the teams only real slump, a three game losing strek at mid season, Coach Brian Billick called the players together, Pulled out Henley's poem, and disected every line.

They would not lose again that season.

Later The Ravens called Art at his home in Highland, Utah and invited him back to training camp. When he arrived, he went to lunch with, amoung others Modell and Billick. There, they pulled out a large jewelry box. Inside was the Baltimore Ravens XXXV Super Bowl ring, with Art's Name on it.

The $28,000 14 carat gold ring has 40 diamonds and a ruby eye, with a football field back drop of white gold.

And there on both sides, in bold, beautiful letters, there is the single word: "INVICTUS"

Now I to feel "Unconquered, Unsubdued, Invincible" regardless of the loss.

(Thanks to Coach Taylor for sharing this story with me)

Our backs are against the wall with the loss to the Braves 15-6

Lets work hard and beat Bountiful

I don't like to lose, and that isn't so much because it is just a football game, but because defeat means the failure to reach your objective. I don't want a football player who doesn't take defeat to heart, who laughs it off with the thought, 'Oh, well, there's another Saturday.' The trouble in American life today, in business as well as in sports, is that too many people are afraid of competition. The result is that in some circles people have come to sneer at success if it costs hard work and training and sacrifice.
-Knute Kenneth Rockne

Alta Vs. Olympus

Nice comeback but too many mistakes. Alta loses 21-32 to

THE JITTERS

Tomorrow we face our first real challenge as a football team. We face an unbeaten team in Olympus. Olympus has two fast kids on their team that will present a challenge for our boys. I believe we have the skill players to shut them down but it will still be quite a task to slow them down. I bring that up, the fact that its going to be a challenge, because it's also very exciting, so much so that here I sit Friday night because I can't sleep. I say Friday night but it's now way into the morning already. I went down into the family room where the boys are sleeping and they are out cold. How do they do it? I'm so worked up you would think I was the one playing because I'm the one with pre-game jitters. Many moons ago when I used to play I would always have to throw up (Yuck!) to calm my nerves right before the game got started. Hopefully the Jitters is all I need this week.

Unlikely Heroes

Today we played our first regular season game and had great success. We had prepared for four weeks to do exactly that. I have found with coaching over the years winning is better than losing and it's a bunch more fun. Profound I know. Well today we went into the game knowing that it was up to the boys to perform their assignments and contribute to the overall objective (win) and they did.

In a team sport the success or failure is not the burden or privilege of one or two players to bare, but a shared experience. Sometimes to get all the boys to contribute the same effort is the challenge and it may seem that some players get all the lime-light but today was not such a day. The effort of all was reason for today's victory.

On the way to that victory I had the pleasure of witnessing some unlikely heroes take their small role and go beyond what was expected. For me, and I'm sure it was for them, the highlight of the day. Way to go Zander and Trudo (multiple fumble recoveries) and Congratulations team on such a good effort.

Boys Growing As A Team- Small Steps

Run Forrest











"Behind The Beef"

"Run The Play..Please, If I Ask Nicely"











"Okey Dokey"

Alta Wins Shootout With Grantsville

Grantsville 0 Alta 32 Lets keep the wins coming!

blog name

Why is my blog called "Not In My House"?

Well, it goes back to a example Ive used with my kids to illustrate a level of commitment needed in every thing they do. I have asked my kids to give their complete commitment to whatever they embark in with no excuses (including grades) .

"Not In My House" is a life lesson I learned at an early age when living in Africa with my parents. A band of terrorists came into my parents house. While I was standing there in the doorway they came with their machine guns and told us to get out or die.... We did what was necessary to preserve our lives. I often think about that moment. Today I apply what I learned from it in many aspects of business and life.

So what about football ? Yes, it applies here too. What I learned was, when some one is in your doorway do you fight half heartily? or are you going to be committed to the end and do whatever it takes and when you think you have nothing left do you do more because you wont let anyone in your house and you wont let yourself fail..?

This philosophy has served me well especially when I played football. Today I only know one way to coach and that is all out with enthusiasm, energy and passion..in a "Not In My House" kind of way!!!

Scrimage Eyre Team

Today we had a scrimmage with The Mighty Mite White team coached by Jason Eyre.

Boy! did we get spanked. It was the first time we've felt a little discouraged. I think I speak for all the coaches when I say that we still believe in this team and still believe that we can reach our lofty goal, which is to reach and win the championship game.

In today's scrimmage, however, we did not match the other teams intensity or skill (a bummer since I don't like to lose even to a team I've coached since gremlins).

Our boys were a little shell shocked, which can happen to new players or a new team (no excuses come Saturday).

We are still trying desperately to find out what motivates our team and we are looking for our leaders. Someone will emerge as the one that won't settle for being knocked back or down and will help carry the others until they can find the fight in themselves.

Tomorrow we are going to give some new boys a chance to see if they can become our hitters/ superstars.

Wish us luck...