News and Announcements
Congratulations to Reile Cole for winning the Golden Gerka award for week #6. Reile has been close before but his overall level of effort in practice all week combined with his relentless intensity during the game against Spanish Springs has earned him this award. The level of competition for the Golden Gerka is really high – which is of course why I instituted it in the first place. Many deserving players have yet to wear the Golden Jersey. Anyone can win it! The winner of this award is determined entirely by the players. You want it? MAKE THE CHOICE TO BE A CHAMPION – in everything you do. Pay attention to your coaches. Be the first to finish a water break. Never have to be admonished to "get low" or "stay square" or "wrap up". Don’t be late to practice. Don’t talk when you’re supposed to be listening. Never, ever, EVER give me 99%. These are the things that coaches notice. These are the things that coaches place high value on. When you can do these things WITHOUT having to be told – then you are acting like a champion, and might just win the Golden Gerka Award.
-Coach Little
Past winners:
Week 1 – Devin Souza
Week 2 – Gabriel Hardy
Week 3 – Nico Hofheins
Week 4 – Andrew Phillips
Week 5 – Gabe Hardy
Congratulations to Gabriel Hardy for winning the Golden Gerka award for week #5! Gabe has become our first repeat winner, and simply personifies what this award is all about. The Golden Gerka is not about talent or touchdowns (both of which we need), but from the beginning of practice on Tuesday all the way through the game on Saturday, Gabe brought the most consistent level of intensity, hunger, and hard work. There were many players’ names mentioned because alot of players have really worked hard and left it all out on the field Saturday against Fernley, but Gabe has once again risen to the top. His great week of practice was even outdone by his highlight-reel-worthy touchdown saving tackle in our game Saturday. Gabe, and X-man on the D-line, ran down a Fernley running back from behind (who had eluded all our best tacklers and would have otherwise scored) and tackled him at the 10-yard line. Unsatisfied with the result Saturday (as all of us were), Gabe refused to take his pads off and watched the Renegades game in full gear, helmet nearby just in case he was called into the game. Now as I said alot of players have practiced well and had a great game, but Gabe is simply on another plane of intensity right now. If all our players would bring Gabe’s energy to practice and our games I think we could beat the New Orleans Saints. Keep it up Gabe, and no one will take that golden jersey away from you!
Past winners:
Week 1 – Devin Souza
Week 2 – Gabriel Hardy
Week 3 – Nico Hofheins
Week 4 – Andrew Phillips
Congratulations to Andrew Phillips for winning the Golden Gerka Award for week #4 of the 2010 season. Andrew has really stepped up his intensity this season and has become one of our most physical players. Andrew stood out as the player most personifying the principles of Intensity, Focus, Hard Work, and Toughness this week. As a result, he will get to wear the Golden Jersey all week, is an automatic Captain, and will lead all our breaks. Well done Andrew!
Coach Little
Previous winners:
Week #1 Devin Souza
Week #2 Gabriel Hardy
Week #3 Nico Hofheins
I would like to take the opportunity to thank our parents for their great support at practice and also at the Smackdown this past weekend. As the Head Coach of this football team, I consider you to be part of our roster – the "12th man" if you will. I am very pleased that so many of you have chosen to observe practice, and also that you are vocal at practice. Every time I hear you cheering and encouraging our boys I see their performance go up a notch. Keep it up! It makes playing (and coaching) that much more fun. Your presence at Smackdown (and soon at games) was just another in a long list of intimidating factors our team brings to the gridiron. Our boys are working hard to be the very best football team they can be, and no one feels worse than they do when they make a mistake. So when they do something well it is extremely important that they get lots of positive affirmation. I know the positive energy you will provide will give us an edge all season, and who knows – might even make the difference between winning and losing a game. Intensity is contagious! Spread it around!
Coach Little
Congratulations to Nico Hofheins for winning the Golden Gerka Award for week #3 of the 2010 season. Nico has consistently displayed maximum effort, focus and determination combined with performance at a high level with minimal input from the coaches. Quiet by nature, Nico leads by example rather than bravado and bluster but make no mistake – he is always physical, plays with intensity, and is a fierce competitor. If you are wondering how to do things right just watch Nico.
Coach Little
Previous winners:
Week #1 – Devin Souza
Week #2 Gabriel Hardy
