Back To Work

Vince Lombardi Riding the Sled 

 

Here is something you don't see much of today.  In this old photograph taken in 1963, Vince Lombardi is barking commands to his Offensive Lineman while riding the blocking sled.  I have a theory on this.  Since Lombardi played on the Offensive line himself, he must have been harder on the Offensive Linemen. You can see the intensity in the old coaches eyes and body language in this picture. 

 

This week we begin playing our district rivals.  On Friday night, we play Okeechobee  AT HOME thank god.  I am so tired of traveling.  Chobee is another team (like us) who is struggling right now.  They have a new coach this year (well, a new coach who used to be their head coach) and they are in a transition period. We have been playing Chobee for years, and the series has always been friendly.  In year's past, Chobee always had a HUGE offensive and defensive line, with good skill kids. On video, it does not look like much has changed; naturally, their kids always fight hard until the last whistle blows, so we will have our hands full......again.  A few years ago, they beat us 63-0  (or something like that)  Chobee had this running back named Lonnie Pryor who just tore us up.  We could not stop him.  Pryor is now the starting running back for Florida State.  This year's game should be a little more competitive.  I enjoy playing the country boys from around the lake. 

 

Finally, we had a good rain-free practice today.  We got a lot of work done.  Our practice fields are relatively dry, but the mosquitoes are hatching again.  I got pretty chewed up today.  My legs look like I have measles with all the red bumps from the little (or not so little) biting bugs.  It was nice to see Coach Jefferson and Coach Matthews at practice today even though they can't officially help out on the field.  Jefferson says the knee is feeling much better, and he is getting around pretty good with the big knee brace and crutches.  I think Chris may be back on the field in the next couple of weeks.  Coach Keith Matthews says the kidney transplant is working good too with no issues.  Matthews said the minute they hooked up the kidney to a blood vessel, it started to produce urine....which is outstanding!   Keith sure looks better than when he was doing dialysis several times a week.  I am very happy for him and his family. 

 

 

This is Coach Miller's daughter Delaney. (I hope I spelled her name correctly, or she will be pissed at me)  She is a Cheerleader for the Sebastian River Middle School Cowboys.  Ahhh, I remember these days well.  (My daughter Kristin was also a cheerleader for SRMS.)  I have literally watched this little girl grow up, and I can't believe she is already in junior high school.  She used to follow Coach Miller around the practice field like a little puppy.  She was so shy and unsure of herself , and she would not talk with anyone it seems.  She is maturing into a beautiful young lady, and freely admits she is a Daddy's Girl.  Miller is going to have his hands full with this one....and I am going to laugh at him! 

 

Here is a little history on SRMS.  Back in the day, Indian River County only had one high school....Vero Beach High School (VBHS)  However, there were two different junior high schools feeding the school, Vero Beach Junior High (VBJHS)  Red Raiders, and the SRMS Cowboys.  Each school had their own football team at one time.  Both teams played at the Citrus Bowl in Vero Beach.  It was always quite a rivalry game when the two teams played each other.  VBJHS was always much larger than SRMS, and VBJHS always had a lot more players; however, SRMS managed to knock off the Red Raiders a time or two.  Once all the kids (from both schools) became 10th graders, everyone went to Vero Beach High School.  VBHS had some powerful teams during that period.  The ENTIRE COUNTY went to VBHS.  Can you imagine that?  Once SRHS was built, it changed everything. 

 

See you tomorrow.

 

GZ