Month: October 2017

As we enter the eighth week of the season we face a very powerful opponent in Franklin and Marshall College.  The Diplomats are certainly in contention for the post season with a 6-1 record.

This is a well coached team with several excellent players in key positions across the board.  John Troxell the head coach has done a fantastic job thru his tenure.  With a record of  61-44  and five post season appearances over eleven seasons he is one of the most established coaches in the region.

***A short aside – Former Greyhound great Kevin Bracken is also on the Diplomat coaching staff – but then former F&M QB John Harrison now serves as our offensive coordinator.***

The Dips have a strong defense surrendering under 20 points a game and ranking fourth in the CC in total defense allowing 317 yards per game.  They are a physical bunch who play with very good technique.

They have great schemes…but what really stands out is their effort and toughness.  We certainly can match up with them and there is no doubt that our troops will be looking to get after their collective asses from the starting kickoff until the final whistle.

One thing that is never lacking in a Moravian football team is strength and effort.  With all the time we spend in the weight room with Coach Tom Long year round…… our guys are certainly strong and willing to give a great effort every Saturday.

****Just a short aside here ….Tom Long and his excellent staff of Amanda and Laurie do a fantastic job strength training  the troops.  You can look out in the parking lot on any number of mornings and see their cars there at 5:00 in the morning because that is when they start their day.  Often they are still hanging around after 9:00 at nite.  I’m not good in math and don’t add very well – but I think that is more than 12 hours.  I guarantee you that there are few – if any cars –  in the faculty parking lot during those hours.  Thanks guys you are the best!****

In keeping with their aggressive nature Franklin and Marshall’s is second in the league in sacks.  Junior Joe Granahan (#90) leads the Centennial Conference with 10 and teammate Dylan Jones (#3) chips in with 3.5 as well.  Granahan (#90) also has  11.5 tackles for loss and has forced a pair of fumbles.

Freshman Brendan Dearing (#85)  is an outstanding returner with more than 25 yards per KO return and one TD.

We will have to be disciplined and aggressive in our kick coverage.  But with the emergence of John Miller (#82) as our kicker we can see more and more kicks getting into the end zone which will limit returns by our opponents.

John was selected as the special teams player of the week in the centennial conference as his 34 yard field goal in the final seconds pushed us to the win.

Look for our young and improving front wall on offense to give F&M all they can handle.  Chris Leavenworth has these guys on a solid upward curve.  This is going to be a dogfight up front and I look forward to seeing our guys playing at a high level and matching the Diplomats blow for blow.

Currently our opponents play a very solid and efficient offense.  They have an outstanding QB in junior Tanner Erisman (#15). ? ! Am I crazy or is the name Tanner a popular one – we have three on our team as well – I don’t think I went to school with anyone named Tanner !?  Anyway back to the point – Tanner Erisman (#15) is a fine player.

He is leading the Centennial in pass efficiency and is tops with a 65.9 completion percentage – this is excellent work.  They have always had a very solid passing game and this year is no different for F&M.  Erisman’s (#15) 18 TD passes are second only to the QB we faced at Juniata last week.

Speedy senior Taalib Gerald (#7) is leading the team with 476 yards rushing (3.8 yd avg) and has added 110 more on 14 catches.  He has always been a big weapon for the Diplomats.

The receivers are led by dangerous KJ Pretty(#1)  a junior from Bethlehem Freedom who has 39 catches for 715 yards and 8 TD’s.  An excellent player who can score from anywhere on the field.  Senior Dillon Alderfer (#84) is next with 29 caches for 357 yards and 4 scores.

On the Moravian side of the ledger – our young secondary continues to get better.  We picked off three passes – two by freshman Jackson Buskirk who earned CC player of the week for his efforts.  Veteran Nick Zambelli also had one ending a threat just before half time.

****I kind of like these little asides……Jackson Buskirk once lived in my home area of Lehigh Township and could have been a Konkrete Kid – but he moved to Whitehall.  Like they say on ESPN  “Come’on Man”  you could have been a  KKid!  Oh well even if he was a Zephyr glad to have him standing with us at Moravian!****

It is good to see Eli Redmond back on the field.  He was able to rush for 59 yards on 14 tries    and was just an arm tackle away from going the distance on at least one occasion.  Looking forward to watch his production from here on out.

Defensively our team was able to create three turnovers as we continue to see our hard work in this phase of the game pay off.  Winning the turnover battle is always going to be a key in any football game.

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OK – not trying to offend anyone here but we have to look at what we are battling here at Moravian.  Our coaching staff is fighting with one hand tied behind their back when recruiting.

F&M finished their new stadium complex and played their first game in it this past weekend (56-0 rout of Dickinson).  It is a fantastic addition to their sports program.

This ups the “arms race” in the Centennial Conference.  There are several state of the art stadiums in our league.  Although our own Steel Field is unique – it certainly is not even close to any of the places we play in the CC.  With the outdated and worn out turf and aged locker facility – we lag far behind in this “arms race.”

Many people say that you have to make due with what you have.  Yup, I get it….but when you recruit against these schools with many more weapons than you can show off – you start at the bottom of the hill.

We also have to play the Bullets at Gettysburg – they are a little different in the eyes of recruits as well.

I also know about academic reputations and that we have a fine school.  But any recruiter worth his salt will pull out the US News and World Report and show them the rankings of the Centennial Conference schools.  I won’t go into the numbers you can check them yourself – but there are some excellent schools we compete with – Johns Hopkins does beat some Ivy League schools on players from time to time..

On the Visitors side you can see one of the scaffolds constructed to so we can film the game.  Can’t film from the Home bleacher roof because it was declared unsafe.  If it is unsafe to stand on – maybe unsafe to sit under?

I am not trying  to be disrespectful here –  I love everything about Moravian and the type of school it is.  But, this is the reality of the situation that we face here in Bethlehem.

There is a difference in the facilities at Moravian and the locker room and stadium at Gettysburg and Franklin & Marshall.  We haven’t even looked at our neighborhood rival the Mules yet.

So, add Academics – Facilities…..well……..just….. heck it is hard to compete in this era when you fall behind in too many areas.

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Now a week or so I mentioned that Hannibal crossed the Alps with elephants and his troops to attack Rome.  Well apparently my understanding of history is somewhat off kilter a little.

My friend Bob Gratz (a Moravian Hall of Famer who I actually played against while I was a Muhlenberg.  I’m sure he was one of many backs who ran over me at one time or another.).   Wow that is a “run on sentence”

Let me start over–

My friend Bob Gratz gave me the low down on Hannibal crossing over the Alps.  He did do that and with elephants.  He dropped down into Italy and fought all over that region for fifteen or so years.

He controlled the area during this time….but never did march on Rome.  Oh well I’m not smart  – but I want to be.

Another great week comes to an end in the Lehigh Valley!

Wow…what a big win for the Hounds.

John Miller drills a FG with seconds left to win the game.  Here is a guy who put in his time to just to have a chance to “stand on the stage.”  Then he goes out there and gets the job done.  My prediction is this.  John will become one of the finest kickers ever to play at Moravian.

New snapper Mike O’Hagan steps into the breach to snap (due to an injury to one of our top players Nick Tone)…yup perfect center to Cordell Theadford….great placement by the senior….bang John kicks it thru.  Could have made it from 50!

****Just an aside here…..Mike O’Hagan also had a critical tackle on a punt earlier in the game!  Never complains – he just does what is asked of him****

What will make this team great in the future is the unselfish nature of the guys on the team.  But, they are learning this from key seniors.  They probably think it goes unnoticed….but no it doesn’t…..Connor Rooney, Kyle Conroy, Tanner Mish…..amongst others.  We see you…we see you every single day help your teammates become better.

It’s shame that many of our parents can’t see us practice.  Our practices are awesome – the speed is incredible – much of it is because because of guys like Stanton Santos.  You should have seen his one handed catch in practice last week.

Here is a guy who plays hard every single snap in the game.  He makes every play count.  But this is what makes the Greyhound great.

Will Russell…..the “Lake Hopatcong Anaconda”….this is someone who you can go to war with anytime!  (I am biased here but Will is one of my favorites because he epitomizes the word teammate!  He is always quick to volunteer…will do anything asked of him!  I don’t know what he will do when he graduates – but I assure you it will be great!)

I will talk about our senior troops as we go along over the next few weeks left in the season.  I truly love and respect each and every one of them…all have contributed…all have given their time and hearts to help make Moravian better!

Our seniors are unbelievable….some have selflessly changed positions to help the team.  Perhaps even giving up playing time to just help the team.  Justice Anderson goes from being a fantastic receiver over three years  and comes over to help our defense at corner.

Justice had one of the prettiest KO returns I have ever seen only to have it called back on an unbelievably bad call.  (Look I have coached my entire life –  Centennial refs are by far the poorest I have ever seen –  including HS – call it whatever you want…but more than 40 years in this business all over the world – I know poor performance when I see it.  These officials are absolutely terrible!  But, there is nothing we can do about it…we have to soldier on.). So Justice – hats off to you and your effort.

What a game on Saturday…back and forth.  The Hounds defense countering one of the best offenses in the Centennial.  Big plays all over the place.  Vinny Caporrino plays hard each week but he had to play almost every snap due to the injury to Nick Tone.  He had to be exhausted but what a game he had.

Also had great effort from the entire front seven.  Great hustle as usual by the big guys up front.  Love watching them work!

Our safeties continue to stand out game after game.  Nick Zambelli with a big interception at the end of the half and Jackson Buskirk picking off two drive killing passes and knocking another one away.  We had a few other chances to make big plays – that is something that we need to continue to do.

Offensively we did some great things.  Continuing to improve every week our guys played really hard and found a way to get it done at the end of the game.  The offensive line paved the way for Eli and Frank creating some big plays throughout the game.  But that last drive…a thing of beauty.

Runs, throws and scrambles – we make Juniata pay dearly for their mistakes.

How about we catch the Juniata defense playing man defense.  So the secondary defenders are chasing receivers down the field with there backs to the QB.  So what does Doug Erney do – yeah alertly he takes off running and the defensive backs can’t react  fast enough because they don’t see him!

Sets up the FG!

Moravian lines up…John blasts the ball through the goal posts and the Hounds move on with a big win!  Oh, by the way….Juniata is offsides on the play – yup the officials missed that one too!  Incredible!

We had great plays all day long from everyone.  But how about these efforts – Aaron Brown shaking free for three big catches including a key 25 yarder.  How about Alex Pierce having a day – five. catches…..well earned.  These guys work hard in practice every day.

Also have to mention Nick Petros and his timely punting…..trapping their offense inside the five.  Big tackle on another punt by Mike O’Hagen – critical stop.  Andrew Nieves knifes through on a kickoff and jacks up the returner.  Vince Pianaforte chasing down the QB forcing him into Connor Rooney’s arms for a sack.

We still have a lot of work to do…we keep coming together as a team but there are still many things we need to improve on.

We must continue to grow as a team over these next three weeks.  It is imperative that our seniors teach the younger players about maturity.  We have some outstanding leaders like Aaron Hudson (I am going to get him a job playing football in Europe next year if I have something to say about it).  Aaron works really hard on the offensive side of the ball……then he steps in and works for the scout team to help the defense as well.  What an awesome young man!

We all have a lot of work to do to help our team….everyone has a part to play.  Need to keep our focus at all times and that concentration has to be intense so we are ready for Franklin and Marshall on Saturday.

OK….back from Switzerland, things settling in again as we get prepared to play the Eagles from Juniata College this Saturday.  Since all the Centennial Conference teams had their bye last week the Hounds should be rested and as healthy as can be expected.

Unfortunately we have had so many injuries that it is hard to imagine being even “somewhat” healthy.  To date we have lost 10 players to season ending injuries and even never got five others on the field because they reported unable to play.

These are not complaints…just pointing out the reality of the situation.  It has been hard to practice at times.  Not because we don’t have enough players.  But, because we cannot get all of our starters there at one time.  We are filling in with backups and moving guys around constantly to field a competitive team.

This is not even counting the players that miss either the beginning of practice, or the end of practice due to class or lab schedules.  It’s been tough at times….oh yeah we don’t have very good lights either.  So, when daylight savings time shows up in a few weeks our practice will be drastically effected.

Anyway….back to Juniata.  We leave for our game in Huntington on Friday – Beautiful four or so hour drive touring thru some awesome scenery in central Pennsylvania.  Staying at the Raystown Lake Resort in cabins!

From what I understand a few players can stay in each cabin – bunk beds I guess.  I just hope that there aren’t any bears in the woods – let alone freshwater sharks in that lake!  I intend to do some fishing off of the dock when we get there.

Juniata enters our game with a 2-4 record, and like us they have struggled to find consistency.  They have some impressive younger players and they have been able to make some big plays.  However, they have made some big errors as well.

We need to prepare like we always do and trust our training.  Concentrate on executing our fundamentals and doing our jobs.  It is the same mantra week in and week out.  But, it is the only way to develop a successful team.

There are no shortcuts to winning – you have to concentrate on all of the details regardless how small they may be.  For instance we work on creating turnovers every week.  This has started to pay off – we are exactly even with takeaways and give aways right now.  That is quite an accomplishment despite our record.

The turnover battle is one of the most critical parts of any game.  Teams that can play on the plus side of that ledger always put themselves into a position to win.  Developing a “turn over” mentality takes hard work and constant attention during practice.

It is a double edged sword.  You are always working with the defense to strip the ball in practice and on the other side of the coin the offense is always protecting the ball.  Coaches always screaming to get the ball out, and the other side harping on ball security.

This constant give and take in practice causes the team to be alert.  You can’t afford to let down at any time because eventually you will pay for it.  Need to have that slight edge on game day – that edge can provide you the difference between winning and losing.

But, football – like any sport – it comes down to those small advantages.  It doesn’t take much…but when you add them up over a long period allows you to find a way to win.  That is why it is so important to stay up on these things during the week of practice.

Juniata has an excellent offensive team – one of the top teams in the conference.  Playing behind a very talented sophomore quarterback in Austin Montgomery (#12).  He has thrown for 1771 yards and already has 18 TD’s.  He is one of the top passers in the Centennial Conference with a completion rate 61.6% (125-203).

He is one of the true throwing QB’s in the conference.  Although you would not call the Juanita offense a “pro” style offense – they have always brought in QB’s who are cut out in the mold of a drop back  (“pro” style player).

A mark of this – Montgomery (#12) – has rushed for only 60 yards in 6 games.  This is not the signal of a spread offense QB.  He is in the game to throw the ball – not create option opportunities.

Matt Lehr (#29) a senior, is the leading rusher for the Eagles and he has been a big contributor for Juniata over his career.  He is ranked 6th in the conference in rushing with 475 yards and a 5.5 average.

The Eagles have a one of the bigger offensive lines we will face and as we know they are always a physical bunch.  Our guys are ready for a tough game in the trenches.  But, what else is new for the warriors we have up front?

Juniata has always had effective receivers and they certainly have them again. Justin Heisel (#4) is one of the more productive receivers in the CC.  He has caught 11 passes and has 5 TD’s with an impressive 17.6 yards per catch.  The Eagles also have two other pass receivers with more than 20 catches in Dalton Snyder (#2) and Jake Notestine (#10).

Notestine (#10) also averages almost 26 yards a kickoff return which is at the top of the Centennial Conference (Freshman Shaheed Ross (#11) also is a dangerous kickoff returner with a 22.6 yard return average.  Both of these players have changed the field position battle in different games with their returns.

The Eagles lead the CC in both Kickoff and Punt Return – something that is very hard to do.

Defensively Juniata  has had their issues in playing effectively over the course of a game.  But, they have shown the ability to make plays when they needed to.  As with all football teams you need all three phases on your team playing at a high level to attain success on Saturday.

In the secondary John McClay (#26) has intercepted three passes to lead the Eagles.  Another of his backfield mates was Centennial League and Division III player of the Week. – Joel Reighard (#3).

GO HOUNDS!

OK….. continuing with our two day jaunt thru Italy and Switzerland to sow the seeds of American Football and try to find out how we can help their two leagues get better.  By the way the taxi drive thru Milan and to Varesci was not for the faint of heart.

You think New Jersey has bad drivers…well these guys over here seemed to get some letters screwed up – I think they mistook OFFensive driving for DEFensive driving .  These people are completely insane.

The word courtesy has no room in the lexicon of driving terms here.  The traffic circles seem like a race to see who can cut off more drivers and narrowly miss more pedestrians.  Getting from one side of the street to the other  is a cross between an art form and a death wish.

I also learned where the phrase “Italian Salute” came from.  You see it being exchanged all the time.  Must be a lot of service men and women in Italy!

Driving on the highways.  Three lanes of cars – well remember those rocket cars on the Bonneville Salt Flats? – imagine cars…. three across going as fast as they can.

Flashing headlights is a courteous way of telling the guy in front of you he is going too damn slow and to get the hell out of the way.  It usually works this way….flash the lights, blow the horn…..put your front bumper four and a half inches from the other guy’s rear bumper……Car A moves over….Car B roars past…Both drivers (obviously in the military) exchange Italian Salutes!

We made it up to Varesci and the Three Amigos morphed into the Fantastic Four as my friend Giorgio Volpi joined us from Lugano, Switzerland.  It was the first time that Curtis and Terry met the “Ambassador” of Football.

With our unit in place we were ready to show our project to the Italian directors of the U19 football team.  We were hoping to generate a little momentum and pick up some information and ideas for our discussion tomorrow with the Swiss National team.

We were met by Paolo who was the coach of the local U19 team – the Varesci Gorrillas (I shit you not)!  He was going to set us up with a Skype meeting with four other coaches / directors including the president of the Italian Football League who was in Rome.  Colorful names like Lusciano, Febbrizzio, gotta be a Mario in there.  Come on, we are in Italy after all.

I have become a bit of a Skype master myself.  Having used it to communicate with my Swiss and German friends.  Doing it from Italy, piece of cake….Mr International Skyper can handle it.  Much too my chagrin I have become more fluent in various forms of media.  Truly I miss the rotary phone and pen and paper as well.

We spent a good hour and a half with the Italian group.  Both sides were gathering information.  Our goal was to try and find out if we could supply some support to their league thru the use of the “Sound Mind Sound Body” model Curtis had developed more than 15 years ago – possibly some coaching clinics and symposiums as well.

*****Check it out on the internet – Sound Mind Sound Body*****

We were also trying to gauge the interest in European football players in coming to the states.

Obviously European athletes have had an impact on every sport in the US.  To this point American Football coaches have not felt the need to go across the pond to find players.  The uniqueness of American football has slowed development in Europe.  But, I believe it is just a matter of time.

Lack of American coaches and really the inability of the European leagues that play American football to practice with regularity has held development back.  But there are thousands and thousands of teams across Europe into Asia – Japan and Australia (But not the NGL in the land down under  thanks to Marcin Soluch and his hoodwinking of thousands of people).

Football continues to get better and better.  There have been several foreign players who have played in the US and there are some playing right now at the college level.  It is just a matter of time till we see athletes from all over Europe playing in the states.

One of our goals as a group is going  to try and find the the European athletes who want to come to the US.  We are trying to become a bridge for them to get here.  With my contacts with the Swiss and Giorgio’s widespread contacts on the Continent we were looking to gain some traction with the Swiss and Italians.

It is hard to gauge the level of interest to this point.  Several Swiss players have approached me personally but until now we had done nothing about it.  This is our first venture into this uncharted territory…there are some who have given this idea shot, but gave up – a few work on, but there doesn’t seem to be much organization.

So we have decided to try and develop some  organized programming to help improve the players and coaches in the ways that they want.  We don’t want to step in to anyone’s pumpkin patch…so we want to get involved with the leagues and teams and supply what they need if they want us to become involved.

Between Terry and Curtis there is an avenue to get this moving forward.  It is probably several years away from paying large dividends.  But what a fantastic experience to be involved with.

Giorgio will get us home to Milan….we will all eat a late dinner.  Drink some beer and wine.  Evaluate what we found out.  Compare notes and then hit the sack.

Tomorrow (Saturday) is going to come fast and hard.  Quick stop in Lugano, Switzerland to view a venue for a future coaching clinic – training session for players and coaches.  Then on to Lucerne to gather with the Swiss group of coaches and administrators.

I am looking to see my coaching friends – hearing what they have to say.  Perhaps a dozen beers or so!

Wow….when you travel some unusual things can happen to you.  But in traveling with two pretty calm guys in Terry Copacia and Curtis Blackwell – you just learn to roll with the punches that are thrown your way.

First time meeting  Curtis is at the airport – had spoken to him a few times via conference calls.  He is the co-founder and is the anchor for “Sound Mind, Sound Body”. You should look it up – This is a fantastic group started by him to help the youth around the Detroit area.  He has been doing this for fifteen or so years.

They apply academics, mentoring and also athletic training – especially focusing in on football.  They have very strong core values that are impressed upon the kids.  SMSB has moved into the big-time and has organized operations across the country for many years.

****This is a program that potentially could be established in Europe – and Switzerland in particular.*****

Terry Copacia is a long time friend of mine with coaching ties that criss cross the country.  He was the developer of “The All-State Football School” and is a tremendous coach who knows more about the QB position than many guys working in many college teams – at any level.

Our friendship has probably covered more than thirty and since he has trained my younger son as a QB – I know what kind of a coach he is.  Also instills great values in the players he trains.  “The All State Quarterback School” is one of the best run football operations I have ever seen.

He probably has had his hand in developing more that ten thousand QB’s.  Terry is a fantastic coach – but more than that he everything you want your child’s teacher to be.  His values are imprinted on these young guys as well.

Lucky to be going overseas with these two as my traveling companions – awesome guys.  We will have plenty of time to discus and analyze what we are going to be doing for the next two days in Italy and Switzerland.  But first we have to get across the ocean to do it.  As we found out – not going to be that easy.

I was fully checked in and passport cleared to Detroit Metro Airport (DTW in your basic airline lingo) at 11:30 for a 3:30 flight.  I have to admit…always need to get there early – missing flights kind of worries me (Yeah once missed a flight to Switzerland once because they changed the gate on me – I wasn’t the only one….so can’t take all the blame).  Anyway plenty of time to settle in and settle my Coors Light induced headache from last nite.

Connect with Curtis and Terry as they  arrive at the gate and we  settle in for the wait for our departure and eventual 11 -12 hours of combined flights..  Ah…not so fast young soldier.

Yup…suddenly our flight to JFK (JFK by the way)  and the first leg of our journey is announced as cancelled.  Well, the problem with that is we can’t get to Italy and on to Switzerland unless we can jump on over to NYC first.  One way or another-  not going to make that connection.

Woman at airline gate says to head over to the help phone and maybe Delta can come thru.  But I have visions of our brief expedition flying (pun intended) out  of the window.  Since Terry is the commander in chief he has to handle the situation.  Amazingly after about  15 minutes he has all three of us rerouted from Detroit to Paris (CDG if you are interested – tough if you don’t care because I am going to tell you anyway).  Then on to Milan, Italy and the Malpensa Airport (MXP – and again…. tough I am going to tell you anyway.)

Paris…why not.  As they say – “another country heard from!”  This international football stuff has it’s benefits.  Oh yeah – we will see so much of Paris.  Inside of the airport (CDG – I promise to stop this nonsense of giving the airport’s call letters at some point!).

Delta also got us each an aisle seat – obviously key for a 7 hour flight.  Now – wish they felt bad enough to give us first class seats.  Alright not happening, apparently they didn’t feel that bad I guess..

Well, we did see the inside of the airport, several long corridors with enormous  lines (“queues” in Europe I guess).  Stood in some other long lines getting our passports checked six hundred and twenty-two times.  I know working in airports must be a tedious and perhaps it is an under appreciated job……but man six hundred and twenty-one of those six hundred twenty-two checkers looked at me like I was a dumbass – because I am sure everyone else besides me knows how to scan a passport you know.  One guy actually got a kick out of my Konkrete Kid sweatshirt so I give him a gold star.

Plus, it was hot in the airport….combined with the fact it was packed with people well you can imagine what a rain forest is like.  Well OK not quite that bad.  So we got in some good sight-seeing of the “City of Lights”.  Fat guys sleeping and shoulder to shoulder crowds make for scenic pix. But at least I can check France off my “Bucket List”…..not that it ever been on it..

Several hour later we  find ourselves in the Westin Hotel in central Milan – beautiful hotel.  High ceilings, marble floors, detailed ceramic and wood work.  But after another hour or so the three musketeers are ready to head for their meeting with the Italian Federation of American Football at a law office in Varesi, Italy.  I don’t know where it is either – so look it up on the internet if you really want to know that badly!

Ok.. getting ready for second leg of trip to Switzerland….listening to classical music – I know it’s not Mick and the lads Jo Anne….nor is it Moe Bandy and Joe Stampley – John Cordova.  But I kind of like it.  Especially when I here variations on a theme.

Actually went to college and heard “Variations on a Theme” -Haydn either composed it or played it – then the other side is this –  Brahms either composed it or played it – well why should I know who it compose or play ed it?  I got a “D” in that music class!

Here’s why……there is music that is “variations on a theme…then there are beer cans that are variations on a theme…..here they are:

A “Variation on a theme of beer can stacking!”  Brahms..Haydn…Beethoven…Jagger….Jefferson Airplane who really cares?  Beer Stacking is important to me!

But anyway these pictures are a variation on a theme…the theme of a beeramyd.  Notice Rob……the labels are all forward!

Here is the awesome Frank Zappa playing Gumbo Variations….not Variations on a Theme but pretty good (I see you Dave Novogratz and my brother “Insane” Steve.)!  They loved Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention!

A whirlwind going here.  Third time writing this blog – lost it twice as the internet was sketchy on campus Monday.  But that is the way things are  at Moravian at different times.

I think we have kryptonite in many of our buildings (lead and asbestos as well???)  Yikes Batman I hope not – we were established in 1742, so maybe.

Let me tell you this……..I love our team at Moravian.

But have to skip across Pennsylvania….up thru Ohio….then 80 miles more to my house in Michigan.

Our guys (your friends….sons…teammates) they are awesome young men!

Win, lose or draw….give them to me!  Can’t wait to see the men they will become.

OK….now here in Michigan.  Hop on jet to JFK – then zooming across the pond to Switzerland.

You should have seen the edition I wrote before this one – it was really great.  Well maybe not.

OK – the sad reality of the season to this point is that we are 0-6.  I guess many people would say pack it in and let’s just give up.  Not so fast….you talk to our guys after the game and you do not see an ounce of quit in……any of them.

I look out on the field and see Vinny Caporrino – La Ron Smith playing as hard as they can….being everything we want  student athletes to be.  Just two tremendous kids (men) we have.  Connor Rooney and Aaron Hudson or Aaron Brown stepping up to lead our team.

Honestly there are many others…but just want to point out some things I see and hear while working  with these guys.

These guys aren’t stepping back – why would they?  Really….come on – really….these guys have labored for four years making Moravian football and Moravian College better……they are fully vested in Moravian football.

That is the just the tip of the iceberg…these guys are just a few of the 80 or so guys we have.  The “troops” as I call them.  Guys who don’t know how to take a back seat.  Young men who will be leaders in whatever field they enter after graduation.  I truly can’t wait to see who these young guys become.

Speaking of icebergs……well maybe mountains with ice and snow on them.

But…back to the guys…the troops.  These guys really get it.  They realize who we are as a team.  Yes, we have some shortcomings right now.  But, these seniors are the guys who we will build the future of MC football on.

There is a tremendous group of underclassmen lined up behind our seniors.  They are learning from their older teammates.  They are seeing how to stand up and fight thru tough times.  It’s not easy.  But, a few years from now when we see the fruits of our labor pay off they will have this group of special seniors to thank.  They are an awesome group.  (I will say occasionally a few of them have given me a headache and a reason to build a beeramyd like you saw earlier…but how could you not love this group??)

To our team – and the seniors in particular.  We have a few weeks to go in the 2017 season.  How will we write our story? What will be our final score be….. how will this team be remembered?

Judging by the guys we have I believe this.  We will get right back to work….right back to studying the video of our opponents….right back to practicing.

We need you all……everyone who makes every class…..every meeting…every weight lifting session.  The troops who do it without a second thought.

Thank you guys for who you are…..thanks to all of our guys….the players….the troops.  You are an amazing group who will be astronauts, teachers, presidents etc.  Where will you end up – does it matter?  You will be awesome!

I see the players I was privileged enough to coach over the years and see what they have become – trust me they have effected our world.   The group who sits in our locker room right now will be the same!

Where will our guys be a year from now?  Who knows….but they will be fantastic people.  No doubt about that.

We have a lot of football in front of us.  There are many days  – from the game we will have at Juniata two weeks away til the season ending day at Muhlenberg.  After that last game we will be different – all of us.

How we handle the next several weeks will shape who we are as people –   where we go and who we become.

Wow – that is some pretty heavy stuff there!  Well I had to read poetry you know….after all I was an English major.

Football is one of the best things we will ever find.  The best friends in your life are sitting across from you in that locker room.  Trust me when I tell you the biggest  lasting impressions will be of the guys who line up with you for the next several weeks.

OK – gotta let this go right now.  Have to pack for a two day trip with my pals in Switzerland.  Prepare for a meeting in Detroit tomorrow.  Find my passport…Delta awards card etc….well OK have a beer!

This is going to be a really wild next few days.  Switzerland and back at MoCo Monday morning.  Well there is a reason they call me the assistant Ambassador to football behind may pal Giorgio Volpe in Lugano Switzerland!