We've gotta Jersey boy in town now! I'll keep you abreast of his development if you're curious. Like a lot of new kids, he's befriended my son. My boy is super friendly, he's just really dorky and obviously had the issues with his mother, which kinda leaves him out of the 'cool Country Club kids' scene. However, people who aren't from that scene seem to flock to Carson. My son asked him 'Why the hell did you move here? Are you from a military family?!' The kid told him that his folks own one of the new restaurants downtown called The Big Easy. I love the place and this will give us another reason to frequent them. At the same time, this kids arrival came at a very good time. We had one of the better DEs in the state who was a junior. In fact, our 2 DEs coming into camp this Spring were ridiculous, one senior and the rising junior. Anyway, at the very end of the school year, the kid who was going to be a junior just showed up at the last practice of the year and announced he'll be attending James Clemens High School next year... who already has one of the better DEs in the region... it's all rather fishy, but whatever. Anyway, this kid transfers in and finds himself in a situation in which you can tell he's both nervous and enjoying what he calls 'the life' as a Southern football player. Our kids are ridiculously spoiled. They're better taken care of than most DII schools and have top flight NFL/NCAA DI level equipment.. The kid finds himself battling for PT in a position that was supposed to be locked down by a kid who had been camping and recruited by Alabama. Now, it's wide open. The Jersey kid seems overly concerned that he's not fast enough. He's all worried about 'Southern speed.' He asked my son about his 40 time because 'he's a big guy' and my son told him with his head down that he only ran a 5.2. The kid reassured him that's a great time for a guy his size. Carson knows the problem is his technique of running on his heels and he needs to get better. So Carson asked the kid about his 40 and the kid rant a 4.7, so my boy asked him why he was worried about the speed down here? It's like he thought all these guys ran 4.3s or something... I'm sure this seems pretty boring but it's one of those cute parenting moments watching kids from different regions become friends and break through some of the 'myths and urban legends' that they held about one another. I guess the Jersey kid was really scared about the speed issue because he was blown away by how big some of the guys are on the team. We have a few human fireplugs, and then a couple guys like Carson. The kid about shat himself when Carson let him know that they'll be one of the smaller teams in the league or on the schedule. When the Jersey kid asked how they win, Carson let them know what's basically their credo here.. 'we out hit you, we don't miss tackles and we don't stop ever.' The new boy seemed to like that. I asked Carson if the new kid is very big or has anything really special about him, and he told me that he's a really nice guy. When pressed to ask about his playing ability, Carson told me 'he's a little guy, he comes up to my arm pit, but he's all kinds of mean.' I think he'll do fine.
I always enjoy the stories of you and your dad. Don't worry about those that find it boring, they don't need to read it! Thanks for sharing.
Good story. I hope Carson and his team have a really good year. Does Carson have athletic desires beyond high school and would he more likely pursue baseball or football?
That's the question on the table that my son keeps messing up. I was explaining to Carson about how New Jersey can be quite different with one part being near Philly, and one New York. So of course, Carson asked the kid if he was from 'north or south' Jersey instead of asking about the city. The kid's answer was North and he did say they hung out in Philadelphia a lot... so we've narrowed that down. I'm sending my rocket scientist back to practice tomorrow with strict instructions on city only.. we'll see how it goes.
Terry, He loves baseball so much, but I'm not sure he'll get much of a chance at this school with this particular head coach. I'm not saying that as some crazy baseball dad, I understand fully how raw my son is. The coach is a dipshit. He's also a dipshit who only has 1 first baseman in the entire school, Carson, and he didn't let Carson play summer ball because he's not guaranteed a spot on next year's team. I even specifically warned this guy about the benefits of having a 'guy who will do anything for the program' and you can tell he doesn't give one **** about my opinion. I told him "If the worst kid on your team will literally run thru a wall for the program, he'll keep the score book, will spend extra time cleaning the dugout/fieldhouse AND he can hit... then you've got a pretty damned good team." He agreed with me but it was so condescending. He's openly embarrassed my son twice now in front of his teammates and even the kids who don't really like Carson have complained to their parents about how this guy has treated Carson. Basically, no one trusts the guy and he's probably going to sell everyone out to shoot for the incoming freshman this year. If he plays anything beyond high school, it will be wrestling or football. With football, it all depends on his growth/size/strength. 247sports and a few other places have already started ranking some kids in my son's class. The line guys in the program were talking/joking about one of the guys who is something like 6'4" and 280 lbs. He's already getting attention from everyone in the SEC and is getting all of the passive aggressive 'stop by' people who are just checking to see how he feels about such and such school. Anyway, the guys on the team were whooping it up because (in their words) "Carson just embarrassed that guy, and then they made them go head up (bull rush, no swim or escape moves)...the kid punched Carson in the throat but Carson turtled him." Keep in mind, they were not doing this in the context of 'Oh Carson is awesome' so much as they were 'that fat bastard couldn't play in our league.' Kes, thanks for the good words. I know folks can get bored with this stuff so I really don't update all that often.
Kesley is just buttering you up so you have to listen to stories of his boy when he gets older. :wink: I know the kind of coach you are talking about Corey, I played for one of those when I was in school. Douchebags gotta hate...
KP, Ahh yes, everyone here is familiar with that standard. Scott, probably but I have always enjoyed the personal stories of the members here so I am glad we have younger ones coming along to do new (sometimes great, sometimes stupid) things. All-It was picture day this morning, and some of the new kids got a few lessons in the history/tradition etc. They were issued their game gear for the first time. Jarraud Powers bought all of the kid each multiple pairs of the top of the line Nike cleats. The guys got all their stuff. All you really need to know about Decatur football is that they proudly hold one state record and they're the only ones to do it multiple times. That record is 'fewest first downs yielded in a game' and the record is zero. Their spring game against North Jackson was an absolute beat down in which they were letting North Jackson run 8 and 10 plays in a row trying to get a first down, and they could not. Something I found rather interesting (for you fellow old farts). On top of the 3 pairs of free cleats the kids get, they are also getting those gloves with the team logo on the palm. The skill guys will have one set, and linemen will have another. What I found interesting is that they are being made by Champion, long time athletic and football outfitter, not one single boy on the team had ever heard of Champion.... Then I thought about it and it makes sense. Champion is still out there but they don't spend that money like the others, so they get forgotten regardless of the quality of their product (which is often superior).
Corey, Russell makes jersey's and various sports apparel and they were an Alabama based company. Their stuff was good quality, but they couldn't compete with the big boys. I think they are still around but they closed a lot of plants around the state. Nike, Addidas, UnderArmour have really exploded.
I remember the plant down by Auburn. Decatur wears Russell uniforms, travel gear and workout gear. They try to do as much Alabama business as possible. The team looks exactly like Georgia. They have red helmets. They have white, black, and red jerseys. They have white, silver, black and red pants. They have 3 pairs of new cleats each. These little shits are spoiled, but at least they are doing it by employing Alabama folks. George, My son said it was 'Washington Shire' or something like that.. which didn't make sense to me, after having him break it down by percentage, he said he was 100% sure about the Washington and about 80% sure of the Shire. My money is on Washington Township or something like that... and you guys are welcome for the reminder on how idiotic teenagers can be
George, So I got tired of waiting for Mr Molasses to bring me back the entire answer, so we just went to their family restaurant here downtown. The waiter wound up knowing Carson's half-brother, Will. Then Carson and his friend were hanging out, the next thing I know there's an incredibly sweet lady named Lucy at our table telling us she's so glad that her boy made a friend already. She's basically given Carson license to hang out there whenever he wants, since like a lot of family restaurants, half their staff is made up of family members. Turns out, the mother is Chinese I believe and she works for NASA here in Huntsville. The dad is a good ole Cajun boy who life had taken up north. Mom got transferred down here and I guess dad opened up his own cajun place. They've worked very hard to fit into the community, which can be difficult, but I told them they're doing quite well. I believe their business has been steady and as I told them tonight, having your son don the red and black on Friday nights will literally bring you business and make you 'one of them' faster than marrying into the family. They are from Washington Township and the kid attended WTHS last year. The mother speaks very good English, but with a heavy accent. She said her son is so excited because her boy comes home every day and talks about how different the guys are on this team compared to his old hometown and that the guys just have an air about them. She said 'He said, they carry themselves like winners.' I just smiled and nodded then I said 'well, I hope for their sake that they're winners because losing isn't acceptable here.' The mom replied to me that 'her son says the coach holds them to high standard, and the boys hold themselves to higher standard, I think it is good development for my boy.' The conversation went on for a bit and I just smiled. I am hearing the stories that I am pretty sure mom isn't hearing. She isn't wrong though. The dad is a big Italian looking Cajun who just sits in the back of the restaurant watching everything operate. He came by briefly to say hi and discount our meal. Then he returned to the back of the restaurant.
Corey, I like your story of Carson and his new friend. It took me back to my experience. My family moved from South Jersey to Indy before my senior year of HS. On the first day of football workouts, I walked up to the group of guys sitting on the school steps not sure what to expect. The team captain immediately stood up, welcomed me, and introduced me around. Long story short, from that moment on I was part of the team and had instant friends. It was an experience I've never forgotten. To this day I consider that guy one of the most important people in my life. If he had not made that first move, who knows what might have happened? IMO Carson is in the position of that team captain. I have no doubt whatsoever that his family thinks highly of Carson and that he never will forget Carson's friendship.
Sid, Thank you for sharing that and your kind words. Carson is very much a leader/captain type personality, but people have to understand that a lot of that was literally beaten out of him. No one likes to talk about that, or admit it, but that doesn't make it less true. So he had that going on at home, and in football he'd be helping guys out and being positive for his teammates only to be told to 'shut the f*ck up' on more than one occasion by the same group of 2 boys in his class. There's no way the coaches at his middle school didn't hear it because I heard it all the way up in the stands. So this has been my challenge... I am trying to unteach and deconstruct the notion that he has to be a quiet, submissive kid who just does his thing. I am constantly trying to teach him to be more assertive. He's starting to see it/get it. My mantra has been not to wait for your opportunity, but make it and take it. It's getting better. He also is learning from some of the older boys on the team. 2 of the more talented kids in my son's grade totally skipped out on summer workouts which is basically just quitting the team. Much to everyone's surprise, the head coach kept both kids and they were out there for the first day of 'real football' last week. Now, it's my opinion that Coach Adcock kept those boys knowing full well that they were at the local water park every day trying to pick up girls and hang out, because he knows how jacked up their home life situation is. Having a sit down with them and giving them one opportunity Honestly, without football he knows those kids may well wind up dead, on drugs or in jail. He's coached their older brothers who all became fine young men under his tutelage. That doesn't mean those other boys like Carson who are up every day working out at 4am aren't a bit salty and welcoming of the fact these guys were able to just come back in. However, it's never their place to question the coach. The older leaders will pick their opportunities and with young idiots, you know it will come. One of those boys on Friday popped off to one of our standout senior DEs, Cameron, and Cam picked that kid up by his nipples and held him over his head while yelling 'What the f*ck did you just say to me?!' He put him down and did it again. Just jerked him up the way and adult would pick up a toddler over their head, except he had him by the nipples. The kid, Isaac, was absolutely shaken and now apologetic. I explained to Carson the significance of that, and compared it to his previous problem in middle school. When he was being a leader, the staff allowed him to be mocked. That won't happen with Coach Adcock. I know that to be a fact. So, it was coach Adcock's decision to put the kids back on the team, but they can't come out and start disrespecting people. Teams are brotherhoods, at least great ones are, and just because you have the uniform doesn't mean you're a part of that brotherhood. Cameron wasn't trying to drive that kid out of the brotherhood, he was telling him that you don't get to take 2 months off hanging out with women and partying, then come around here and act like you own this place. It's becoming rather clear that Carson is going to have some expectations placed on him as soon as the first week. There's only one other sophomore who will be playing a larger role on the team and that kid played a lot on the varsity as a freshman last year. He's a 6'3" DB who is also a member of the 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams that finished 5th in the state as a freshman. Anyway, with that comes a certain level of jealousy and those same 2 boys who gave Carson crap back in middle school started in earlier this week. They told him that he wasn't good enough to play on the offensive line, which is why he's playing defense...and that defense was easy etc.. Carson just asked them if it's so easy, why aren't they doing it? He's such a nice boy, I would have been a much bigger jerk in that situation but he's a good boy who is still trying to grow out of a cast that never should have been put on him. Anyway, Carson got his ass chewed out royally on Friday and he's been bummed about it all week. I had to explain to Carson that he was praised during drills, but when they went live he made a couple mistakes against our legit DI prospect center and got his ass reamed out by the DLine coach. They don't do that for kids who are needed a few years down the road. They're on him so hard because they need him. He's gotta listen to what they're saying and get better. That put a whole different spin on it and he's no longer down. He understands now they aren't yelling because they hate him. They're yelling because their game against Homewood is in 2 weeks and he's one of the young kids they'll be relying on at times. I hope he gets there, but I think he may just become that leader that impacts other kids on the team.
Oh, and a quick 'let ya know' about the claims the kids made that defense was easy.... Defense is everything in this program. They hold exactly one state record and they are damn proud of it. Fewest first downs yielded in a game. The record is zero and they've done it a few times, the only school to do it. In their spring scrimmage, they played a team that had 3 DI recruits on their offense. They smothered them. At one point in time, they let that team run 12 straight offensive plays and only one of those plays gained 2 yards. The rest lost yards or were held for no gain. I've been watching this program for a number of years now (14?) and they've had a bad defense or two, but it isn't often. Normally, they're one of the fastest, hardest hitting defenses in the state.
Corey, what's the name and city/town of Carson's High School? Edit: Never mind. I found it. Decatur HS.