Unscheduled Sat Practice 9AM....yuck!..

Alex catching a pass

traditional Team 4 end of practice line up

Running plays

getting positioned

Alex was sleepy tired Sat AM at practice

8AM Sat morning I'm driving to get Alex for our first last minute scheduled Sat practice he was ready to go but dead tired........We need it to get prepared for our first game Aug 7th at Paul Brown Stadium...against an unknown championship team from Clermont County..probably some cornbread fed BIG country boys..who knows who cares....Bring em on..........anxious I'm sorry Its like I'm out there playing duh!.

So at practice we start implementing plays and positions....Alex is still a running back on the 2nd team which we totally expected....He is in better conditioning shape this year as far as running and drills...however he is still a tad lax in hitting , which I also expected.

Alex practiced pretty good and when the coach asked if any players wanted to stay later and catch passes he volunteered., which showed great initiative ( I smiled proud inside) However after he missed more passes than he caught and ran bad routes I decided I couldn't watch anymore so I left and sat in the car
He showed up 20 minutes later...I drove him home and dropped him off..few words spoken except ...

"cya Monday Alex"

"OK grampa"

holla !

The first hit....yessssssssssss

Finally we start hitting ...Here is the only picture I was able to get of Alex's first hit(Alex is on the right initiating the contact)it was a good one....sorry the pic is so far away...but we are only aloud so close as to not interrupt the practice. You guys have no idea how difficult it is to take good pictures from so far away...it takes real talent..

All in all the practice was a good one Alex still isn't the best hitter but hey! he's doing a lot better and he's showing a courage and persistence that can only make a grampa SMILE :)
and smile :)
and smile :)
and smile :)

Good news- We got a new player today 110 lbs
Bad news- Hes never played football before

lets hope he returns

cya

The other nucleus

It may seem like its a chore to drag Alex to football for 4 straight months hot days and cold days ,however the other parents make it worth while...They are the real nucleus behind Team 4 after all its the parents that have to get the boys there...and when we're there its a ton of fun, laughs, screams, yelling, nail biting complaining and relaxing...we have coolers, lawn chairs, umbrellas, and we offer baby sitting, changing diapers, counseling and parenting. Its like a picnic ..all the time...and on top of all of this..Our team is UNDEFEATED IN THE REGULAR SEASON FOR 2 STRAIGHT YEARS.

Its a melting pot of families that I'm proud Alex and I are a part of.

holla

Day 3 practice

Took Alex this afternoon to get his physical...results were healthy, strong and ripped 11 yr old.
4ft 8in 72lbs....solid muscle the doc said. very handsome the nurse said. "Chip off the old grampa block"...... I said!
Practice was cut short tonite due to lightning...sorry no pics
However it had the makings of another great practice..In The long traditional run they do which is approx 3/4 mile or so...Alex came in 5Th out of 25..and they were in full equipment. He also performed all drills with excellent precision.
All the boys were excited about tonite being the first nite of full equipment and hitting..but they did not to get to hit sooooo Thursday is the 1st hitting day.
The boys were still excited tho because practice ended early

Sad news...One of our 5 new kids A.J.decided to quit today too bad he would've been the biggest kid we've ever had ,about 130lbs and we really needed that beef. Our average weight is about 82 lbs. No problem...A.J. had even played football before he just wasn't ready for the incredible Team 4 conditioning......Its a bear..NO JOKE. but thed hadest part is now over!
Now you understand our secret we are small,,,but extremely well conditioned not to mention we hit harder than any team in the league.

We have a great nucleus of boys that have played together for a minimum of 3 years...WE WILL NOT BE DENIED!
holla

The other one

While big bruh Alex is tormenting in the scorching 90 degree heat practicing football, running, sweating, and doing drills this little creature is relaxing in the backseat of and air conditioned car heading to the pool.

don't u just wanna squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeze his little face...

Day 2 practice jerseys

" Its tighter than last year or my muscles are bigger"

and theyre off

gettin ready to jump

Alex encouraging AJ the new BIG guy

Good form Alex

Alex and Jesse headin to practice

Alex was ready again for Football today...he performed really good in all drills and appears to be really comfortable in being a veteran. I see him helping the new kids and encouraging other players quite a bit. Plus in the long run they do every night he placed 8th out of 25 players the first run....and later in the practice he had to do it again and placed 7th out of 25....

The boys were pumped today they got their official practice jerseys Alex is #2 as he has been for the past 2 years. Its better when they have their jerseys this way you can tell them apart by their numbers.

I forgot to mention that he called me early today complaining about how sore his legs were from the previous practice.

"grampa my legs are killing me I can barely walk"

I responded " "go sit in a tub of warm water and you will feel better later today"

He did as I said and felt better for practice.

........grampa's wisdom is BIG TIME scarry.....

Weds they start in full equipment and HITTING...wait and see how he feels Thursday.......I love youth football!

Day 1 events

Alex's favorite time during this first day of practice was

#1.. any water breaks............

#2...When an air balloon flew low overhead and everyone stopped to watch.........even the coaches,

There is no end to how far our competitors will go to see what we are doing....sad isnt it?

"We see you up there spying on us but it wont help you this season you can believe that"

Team 4 grampa

Day 1 here and gone

Alex was siked, prepared and ready for day 1 practice. He did all the drills like a true veteran. He was tired and struggling at times with stomach cramps but he kept going, while some of the new guys were stopping and actually getting sick. It was a tuff, tuff practice that went on for about 3 hrs...parents were ready to leave but this preseason conditioning is very important to our success. After all we are Team 4 and don't forget it.

One big highlight of practice was Alex came in 7th when they ran their traditional long lap. He was 7th out of 25 boys...pretty good for the first day...lets see how long this last.

Another high point...Terri and KK showed up ,,sat down an actually stayed and watched practice...I think they have a deeper appreciation now of what these boys have to endure to be as good as they are. Its really hard...I personally could not do it...but don't let Alex know that...he thinks I can walk on water....no doubt especially after I taught him how to moonwalk like Michael Jackson...not many grampa's can manage that...now can the

After practice we got ice cream at UDF and Alex went home to sleep he was beat.

Day 2 will be easier I suspect...but not by much.

Remember this face.....

you may not see it for at least another 4 months....

Time to get busy and strap up the gear

"What Time is it?"

" I said what Time is it?"

I......................CANT.............................HEAR............................YOU!

Monday it starts...Jayda, Gabbi, KK, take a break

Football starts Monday......Alex's last year as a Tomahawk Team 4 member...these pics show his transformation.