Lee Surrenders at Appomattox

Our last battle was hard fought at Appomattox. We came out very strong and totally shut down their run game, but that was not enough to defeat them. They had so many athletes on the field that were making unbelievable plays. Their wide receiver, Buster Henderson, made multiple amazing catches. One that he caught, he dove backwards and caught it with one hand. I’m sorry but there is no way to beat pure talent, and they had a lot of raw talent. It was probably the funnest game I’ve ever played in just for the fact that it was my last and i played the hardest that i could. That was my biggest fear; i was always worried that one day i would look back and think that i could have tried harder, but i know i won’t now. I literally gave everything i could for my last game, and even though we didn’t, i will always have the satisfaction knowing that i never gave up.

There is not anything i love more than Lee High Football. It has had such an impact on my life, and I’m not more proud of anything than to be called a Generals Alumni. I have made countless memories and friends while playing football. Also, i have learned priceless life lessons through my high school journey. I never thought that i would be here writing about football being over. Football has been my whole life in high school. After school i would either go to practice or lift weights. All my free time was devoted to making myself a better player, so that the team would be better. If i could go back and go through all the pain and soreness, i would in a heartbeat. I learned that through pain you grow and become stronger not only physically but mentally also. I feel as if my coaches have prepared me for life. Often times they told us that life would knock us down but we had to get back up. They told us that life wouldn’t be fair but we had to keep on keepin on. Football has prepared me for any situation i may encounter.

How do you deal with losing the love of your life. That is the mental anguish i am going through right now. From 7 years old to 17 years old football has been my main focus in life. Sadly this is the last time I, as a Generals football player, will be blogging. It has been real Lee High. I’ll never forget all you’ve done for me. GO RED RAGE!!!!!!!!

Senior Night

Tonight is the night that all high school athletes dread, senior night. It’s a very emotional time for me because i can’t help but think of all the people that have passed through my life. I can remember my freshman year i thought the football team would never be the same because every older player i looked up to and looked for guidance would be gone. The next years i felt the same, and now it is my turn to leave. All i can think to now is reflect on how great my life has been because of lee high football.

I can remember coming up to football workouts as an 8th grader. i was scared to death, but I knew I had to try my hardest because it would pay off one day. I can remember practicing and getting moved up to varsity quickly. I can remember when coach pendergraft came to me before practice and told me i would be starting the first game of my high school career. The bus ride to that game was awful. I was so excited because i was starting, but i felt so sick from being nervous. I can remember the first time i became so proud to be a general. It was the first game of my sophomore season and we beat J.I. Burton. I remember how that was the first year in a while we had a winning record and then came the fun.

My junior season our team was amazing. We pretty much whooped everybody that dare stand across from us. We won our first playoff game in forever. I gained some of my best friendships that year. It all came to a close when we got beat by giles, and then again i lost some of my bestfriends. I can remember the day after we lost. I couldn't do anything but cry because i knew i would miss them.

Football has made such an impact on my life. It has taught me to never stop fighting. you always have to push through no matter how bad it hurts. It has taught me how to respect. Most of all i have gained a family of brothers through it. There aren't many people that one could look at and say i went to battle with him and bled and gave my all for him, but i can say that about a whole team of men. Thank you lee high for allowing me be a part of the greatest team in south west virginia. Most of all thanks for all the blessings you have given me. Go Lee High!

Getting out of Rhythm

           

Well unfortunately it seems as if we have fallen into a deep hole that we dug ourselves. It’s so weird how everything we are doing isn’t working. All week, we practice as hard as we can, but there’s just something that isn’t connecting. It isn’t that we aren’t playing with heart, and it’s not a lack of effort. We just need to focus more as a team and take care of business.

As you can tell, we haven’t had the best season possible, but we aren’t out. A lot of people think we have no hope the rest of the season, but I know differently. As of right now, we are in the playoffs, and still have hope of winning out. We can still get two more wins and go into the playoffs on a 6-4 record which is alright. Once the playoffs start, every team’s regular season record goes down the drain. I truly believe that we can win these next two games and make a run in the playoffs. We just need to focus and preform the next two weeks, so that we can win. It’s been a long rode this year but we can make the best out of what is remaining.

One thing that always pushes me to be better is my freshman year. In all honesty our team was not good at all. We only won one game all year, and I never want to go back to that. The previous two years I have become accustomed to winning games, and I plan to keep winning. So many people want to give up when they faced with controversy. I have learned that all you can do is put your head down and keep fighting.

            Some may say that I am fighting for a lost cause, but they are wrong. Yes I may be an optimist, but I’ve heard of and seen crazier things. Call me crazy, but I really believe our team could still go all the way and win a ring. You can knock us down, but we will always get back up a hit you harder. I love my whole team like they are my family because that is what we are.. Brothers. I hope to see you all at the game tonight at five star stadium. Go Generals!

The Day We’ve All Been Waiting For

                So far this season, our football team has learned many lessons. For, example, with our loss, we learned that we must strive for perfection and focus. Since the loss our practices have been more intense and fast-paced. Also, since the loss we haven’t lost any games. We started slow against Ridgeview, and at halftime our coaches were very frustrated. They told us that we could do one of two things. Either we fought and played as hard as we could, or we could just give up. As the game progressed, we decided that we were going to dig deep and give it all we had. One major play that basically won us the game was a 4^th and 1, goal line stand. Our defense fought and scratched as hard as they could to keep them from scoring, and they were successful. The game came to an end and we were the victors with a score of 19 to 14.

                This week we have our bitter rivals, the Union Bears. Last year the game ended on a questionable call that later becomes and indisputable bad call. Moreover, this year there is bad blood between our teams. Everyone knows that we won the game last year, but we have something to prove. All week in practice we have been going game speed and as hard as we can. The line is the key to the game. Whosever line play the hardest and lowest will win the game. Our linebacker, Logan Rasnic, is finally healthy, and everyone else is also all healthy. Tonight’s the big night, and hopefully it will end in a Lee High victory. I will continue the article and tell the result of the game in the morning.

The next day

                Well unfortunately we got beat pretty bad. I really didn’t anticipate the outcome being like this. We can’t get down though because we still have a chance to end the season with a great record. All we can do from here is get better and prepare for Gate City. All fans will see a changed team come next Friday. Hope to see you there. Go Lee High!

3-1

Week  three unfortunately ended with a loss. I honestly did not think we were going to lose a game this year, but everything happens for a reason. The whole game there was just a weird feeling. Nothing we did worked, and we made mistakes that we’ve never had a problem with. All I can think about is how in every sports movie ever created, the team loses near the beginning. Everyone is devastated, and they don’t know how it happened. After thinking about how bad they want to win, they always work hard and turn their season around. I honestly feel like that is what our team went through because after our loss to J.I. Burton we have completely changed in attitude.

The Monday after our loss our coaches were furious. In our normal film session, where everyone usually is talkative and high-spirited, no one said a word. We all sat there as we listened to our coaches scold us for a solid hour. They continued to show us our mistakes, and then we went to practice. That day of practice was honest one of the hardest practices I’ve ever been through. For 2 hours, all we did was punish each other. Play after play, drill after drill, we beat each other ruthlessly until we could barely stand. Then, after all the hitting, we started doing up-downs. Coach said that for every mistake we make we do an up-down, and trust me there wasn’t one mistake unaccounted for. Finally to wrap up practice, we ran sprints. During all the sprints I think I threw up a total of 3 times. It was rough, but it was exactly the wake up call that we needed.

The next game we had was against Eastside. I’ve never been so angry before a game. When we went down to warm-up, Eastside was already down there, and the whole time they yelled and screamed like they had already won. Here was this team that had no hope of winning because we were obviously superior, but they thought since we had lost the game before, they thought they were going to beat us. The more I thought about it, the angrier I got. All I could do was sit in my locker and shake. The rage that our team had showed throughout the game, we won 57-13.

Tonight we play Ridgeview, and I hope to see you there. Go Generals!!!

2-0!!!!!!

       The past two weeks have been fun and full of lessons. It started with Thomas Walker, and the victory we had over them. They fought hard and never gave up the entire game, but never the less we still came out on top. Although we won by a considerable amount of points, everyone felt as if we had lost. We knew that we hadn't performed at the level that we could. Our tackling was sloppy, and we just made too many mistakes all together.

Monday is the day that we watch film, and look at all the mistakes we made and the positive things we did. Obviously this week we had more negative than positive. Coach Johnson always says that we must own our mistakes and fix them. As film progressed, we finally pinpointed what needed to be fix and started practice. The coaches had felt that our linebackers had tackled poorly, so everyday after practice that week Coach Alsup made them do various running and tackling drills. We had a great week of practice that week, and you could tell a major difference in how we played that Friday against Lebanon.

All week we had been told that Lebanon was going to smack us in the mouth, so all week smacked each other in the mouth. That made the biggest difference in the game. From the opening kickoff, they learned that we came to play. Jacob Lefevers made the tackle on that kickoff, and set the tone for the whole game. Another thing that made a difference is how the offensive line played. Every time we ran the ball, our line was driving Lebanon's line back five yards. The running backs were barely touched before they had already ran ten yards! The linebackers also stepped their game up and made some crushing tackles. One specific tackle was number 30, Austin Miles, whom caused a fumble that was ran for a touchdown. Everyone on the team fought hard the whole game and the end result showed this effort. We won 48-0, and here we are with two wins under our belt. We follow up with J.I. Burton tonight as we look to go 3-0. I hope to see you there! Go Lee High Generals!!!!

Lee High Football: Starting Fresh

Football is arguably the most popular sport in the United States. It is nearly impossible to go anywhere and not see shirts, flags, stickers, or any other type of merchandise representing a football team. But why is football so highly celebrated in the U.S. ? I believe that it could be many different reasons such as the unity and spirit that the sport represents. Another reason may be that it brings out the barbaric and animalistic part of people. Who doesn't like to get wild every once and a while?

Football affects some in different ways than others. Some are fine with just watching the sport while others, like myself, live the sport. My teammates and I train and workout year round in hopes that one day we may reach our main goal, winning the state championship. This goal can only be obtained through hard work, blood, sweat, and tears. Many will never understand pain and trials that team must go through to create a winning season. I imagine some may be reading this and ask," If it's so hard, then why do it?" To that question I say that although at times it is extremely trying, there are so many rewards to playing the sport. One being the bond one makes with their teammates.

I truly believe that the friends i have made through football will be life-long friends. We have gone through so much together, and spent uncountable hours bonding. Everyday we push each other to get better and be better people. Our football team has had to overcome adversity in many ways. The loss to Union last year on a questionable call really hit us hard, but we didn’t lay down and feel sorry for ourselves. We grouped together and decided that we would work and play harder because of what happened. Even Though we may have lost two more games before the season was over, we still stuck together and tried as hard as we could for each other.

Since i have already reflected upon last season, let me talk about this upcoming season. Many have already counted us out because of the number of seniors we lost after last season, but what most forget to acknowledge is that we have just as many or more seniors this year. We lost many key players but have retained and gained the same. Some of our returning starters include Colt Muncy, Kyle Crumley, Dj Lawson, Taylor Alsup, Austin Smith, Jacob Lafevers, Devin Rutledge, and myself. We also gained a key player in Logan Rasnic, and we all plan to be wearing rings at the end of the season. Tonight we kick off the season with Thomas Walker High School. I hope to see you there.