Ready, Set, Go!
To the casual
observer and possibly even to the discerning eye, the
Wolverine football team appears to have been through countless
hours of
practice common to a well seasoned team. However, upon hearing that
this group of coaches and approximately
150 football players have only
been together for three days- that’s right, three days, not three
years-
many take a second or even a third look. The responses have been
many and varied. Everything from the disbelieving questions,
“Are you
sure this is only their third practice?” and “Did they get a playbook
in advance?”
to the incredulous stares and the stupefied head shaking
have been heard and seen by spectators during this inaugural
season’s
first three practices. The Wolverines have shocked and amazed all.
With
only a few short meetings as an entire staff, the Wolverine
coaching staff ran their first practices like a well-oiled
machine. If
there was confusion, it was not evident to the crowd of over 100 that
gathered to watch history
in the making. Added to that history were a
few special events. Of particular note was the visit by Univ. of GA
defensive players, Jeff Owens and Rod Battle. Jeff was a former
standout defensive lineman for Plantation High where
he played for
Coach Hepler and several of the other coaches.
Coach Hepler, smiling
with obvious pride at Owens said, "He's
a special young man. They all
are. I want our former players to come
to the high school practices and
give back to the youth. It's
a win / win situation." It's also a testament to
the coaches
that these young men care enough to want to come back
and visit their
former coaches. No doubt, we will be seeing several former
Wolverines
visiting practices and "giving back" in the future.
During these first practices, the
players adapted smoothly to the routine
and eagerly soaked up every
bit of coaching offered. Every player was
involved and engaged in
learning throughout the entire practice. There was
absolutely no
standing around. Coach Hepler said, “There is always something
the
players can be doing and learning. Standing around is counterproductive.”
This
was evident and the results of this philosophy caused the players to walk
a
little taller and stand a little prouder. “How can they not be proud? They’re
learning from the beginning and doing so with more enthusiasm than I’ve seen
in a long time.” said Coach Hepler with obvious pride. “We’re not here to beat
the kids up physically. We’re here to teach these men the game of football
and the fundamentals. Without the fundamentals there’s nothing.” To the
observer
it’s obvious that your philosophy and coaching style are
working, Coach Hepler.
Keep up the good work
and Go Wolverines!
