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Lessons from a State Champion
A Football Thread This thread is not just about football
Back in 2008 I was the defensive coordinator of a class 4A Louisiana football team
We were fortunate enough to play and win a state championship
Here are 5 lessons I learned on the road to that championship
We were fortunate enough to play and win a state championship
Here are 5 lessons I learned on the road to that championship
Lesson 1 - Surround yourself with greatness
In 2008, we had an amazing head coach, the best offensive coordinator in the state, the best player, a great coaching staff, & great speed at nearly every position
I consider myself a good coach but no one wins without a great team
In 2008, we had an amazing head coach, the best offensive coordinator in the state, the best player, a great coaching staff, & great speed at nearly every position
I consider myself a good coach but no one wins without a great team
Lesson 2 - Train to beat the best
We knew we had a special team that truly had state championship aspirations so, as a coach, I always reminded the players that we werenât practicing just to beat our next opponent
We were preparing to beat the best team in the state
We knew we had a special team that truly had state championship aspirations so, as a coach, I always reminded the players that we werenât practicing just to beat our next opponent
We were preparing to beat the best team in the state
That team was Bastrop High School
Bastrop had won four straight state championships and had the number one receiver in the state (LSU commit and future NY Giant) playing QB
All spring, summer, and fall we approached every workout as if we were lining up against the Rams
Bastrop had won four straight state championships and had the number one receiver in the state (LSU commit and future NY Giant) playing QB
All spring, summer, and fall we approached every workout as if we were lining up against the Rams
Lesson 3 - Prepare for worst case scenario
As a defensive coach, my job was to prepare our players for what theyâd see that week
I liked to take it a step further by anticipating game plan changes, trick plays, etc
I truly believe we were the smartest defense in the state
As a defensive coach, my job was to prepare our players for what theyâd see that week
I liked to take it a step further by anticipating game plan changes, trick plays, etc
I truly believe we were the smartest defense in the state
Lesson 4 - Overcome adversity
In about the 6th or so game of the season
We faced our district rival, Shaw, and played our worst game of the season
It could not have come at a worse time because Shaw had been to two straight state championships
It was awful
In about the 6th or so game of the season
We faced our district rival, Shaw, and played our worst game of the season
It could not have come at a worse time because Shaw had been to two straight state championships
It was awful
I believe we had 7 turnovers and missed a routine extra point and lost by 1
Defensively we had two takeaways (one for a touchdown) but we came away with the loss, 28-27
The team was devastated
But also refocused
We were blessed to get our revenge in the state championship
Defensively we had two takeaways (one for a touchdown) but we came away with the loss, 28-27
The team was devastated
But also refocused
We were blessed to get our revenge in the state championship
We ended up playing the only team we lost to in the last game of the season
Iâm happy to report that we had zero turnovers in that game and missed zero extra points
The final score was 28-7 and in the end we hoisted the trophy & handed them their third straight loss in the SC
Iâm happy to report that we had zero turnovers in that game and missed zero extra points
The final score was 28-7 and in the end we hoisted the trophy & handed them their third straight loss in the SC
Lesson 5 - Luck favors the prepared
Over the course of the year, we faced our share of adversity
Ineligible players, injuries, young starters, long travel in the playoffs, etc
I could write a twenty page thread on just the adversity we saw that year
But this one is about luck
Over the course of the year, we faced our share of adversity
Ineligible players, injuries, young starters, long travel in the playoffs, etc
I could write a twenty page thread on just the adversity we saw that year
But this one is about luck
A can not tell you how many times the ball âbounced our wayâ during that season
We had 5 defensive touchdowns that year, averaged 3 takeaways per game, averaged 42 points per game, etc
One prime example was in the semifinal game
We had 5 defensive touchdowns that year, averaged 3 takeaways per game, averaged 42 points per game, etc
One prime example was in the semifinal game
We had just given up a touchdown to the Bastrop Rams in a back and forth shootout
The Rams lined up their stud receiver on the left side to throw the fade
We lined up our best player over him and we were sure weâd see a jump ball
Weâll never know who wouldâve won the contest
The Rams lined up their stud receiver on the left side to throw the fade
We lined up our best player over him and we were sure weâd see a jump ball
Weâll never know who wouldâve won the contest
As when the QB went to throw the ball, it slipped out of his hand & we recovered the fumble
That two point conversion attempt failed & we went on to win the game 35-34
Luck favored the team that made the commitment 8 months prior to beat the 4 time state champions
And we did
That two point conversion attempt failed & we went on to win the game 35-34
Luck favored the team that made the commitment 8 months prior to beat the 4 time state champions
And we did
Players of note that we played and beat that year were Rueben Randle, Tharold Simon, Dak Prescott, Curtis Welch, and many more
I love football because the lessons we learn in the sport, also apply to real life
If you found value in this thread, please like, comment, or retweet
I love football because the lessons we learn in the sport, also apply to real life
If you found value in this thread, please like, comment, or retweet
