2006 LMS Football Season Comments
4-3 Colt Football
by Garrett Panzer
October 24, 2006
This team really grew up over the course of the season. Not so much physically, but mentally we grew, and matured as young gentlemen. We worked the entire year on uniting as a team and taking the "ME, ME" out of the equation. For the most part, we accomplished that. Now, the question is will the 8th graders carry on with what's been instilled in them to the next level, and will the 7th graders keep building the foundation we've worked so hard on this year. Each person has to answer that question individually and improve as an individual in order for the TEAM to get better. They have to be able to look their teammates in the eyes and tell them that they did everything they could to make this TEAM better. That's all we've asked out of these young men all year is to make an individual commitment for team improvement.
We started the year out with a motto to help the team build on. That motto was our "E.A.R.S.", which stands for Effort, Attitude, Respect, and Sincerity. Each day we need to review our effort we give for the team. Our attitudes are sometimes a reflection of our efforts, and how we conduct ourselves on and off the field. We treat each other, classmates, teachers, officials, etc. with the utmost respect by saying, "Yes, sir. No, sir." Finally, this team worked on being sincere in knowing that they can look their teammates in the eyes and say to them that they did everything possible to make the team better. There were many other weekly topics that seemed to rise to the top, but in the long run they all fell back on understanding our "E.A.R.S." Yes, we had to deal with a few speed bumps along the way, but who hasn't made a mistake or two along the highway of life. I do hope, though, that the team learns from each others mistakes and make a commitment to become better leaders in the future.
The coaching staff wants to take this opportunity to say thank you to the parents, for being patient with the new coaching staff and for sharing your student-athlete with us this season. Thank you, too, to the administration, helpers, officials, and any one else involved in making this season a success for the Colts. All three of us (Coach Grilliot, Coach Shultz, and I) take a lot of pride in our kids and the LMS football program. We're passionate about what we do and tried our best this year to mold the total student-athlete.
This season shouldn't be measured by our wins and losses. We united throughout the season and played hard every game. I said it before, and I'll say it again, "We are the hardest hitting team in the league!" Other teams know that when they play us, they'd better be ready to be hit, and hit hard on every play. This team really prides themselves on hitting hard.
We have a saying before each day's practice or game that we try to live by; "Everyday we get better!" It doesn't always have to be with football either. It's just a good life-long quote to live by. I hope these young men enjoyed their season. It went by fast, but we can really hold our heads up and say we did our best.
I know I'm looking forward to the future of Lakin football. We have a very strong Rec. program down through the third grade. Those coaches at that level are doing a super job with the young talent in Lakin. I have personally witnessed the progress of the young teams coming up, and the future looks great for Lakin athletics. Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to coach!
