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.