GYFA Message

Good evening everyone...

My name is George. I’m one of the coaches - kinda. Pretty much… I have two primary jobs on this team:

I scout our opponent’s offense and then report what I find to Coach Jesse, our defensive coach.

At practice, I work with the Rough Riders - or the running backs. So… that’d be the Sullivans, Roby, Max Golino, Mason, Charlie, Rocco… sometimes Cartwright, Julian, and Drew would get thrown in there.

And that latter job (coaching the RBs) was a new one for me. I’ve always loved football, but never played… and even if I had played, it wouldn’t been running back (too slow).

So, when Mike asked me to take this responsibility on this year, I was a bit nervous. But I ended up really enjoying it and already looking forward to next year.

Our group had a lot of fun. Basically, I built obstacle courses for them to run through and also let them hit me as hard as they could while holding a blocking bag.

I can tell you already… that will not happen in 8th grade. My shoulder still hurts from taking on the Sullivans at full speed.

But again, a lot of fun. Actually, my secret goal.... was to see how many players from Airwing Squad I could get to look our direction, because they were jealous of the fun we were having! Sorry Mike.

Anyways, for my time, I want to share to 3 thoughts I had on the season and moving forward into the future...

1) For the first thought, I’m gonna use Mason as my example. I really enjoyed working with Mason, who was a first-year player this season. The thing I loved about him was he was always working. Always wanted to get better. And I think it’s that characteristic of hard work that will help us win a championship next year… if we embrace it.

Some of you know that I’m a pastor. My church actually meets in this room. It’s why sometimes I don’t show up to games on Sunday - or I come late. I mention that because - if it’s okay (I have the mic and I own the mic… so it has to be) - but I’d like to share a thought from the book of Proverbs.

Proverbs is a book of wisdom. And in it, it says...

Proverbs 13:4 NLT

Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.

Hey boys, if we’re honest with ourselves, a few weeks we weren’t working hard enough at practice and it showed on Sunday. During warmups, us coaches may be standing off to the side, but we can hear Max barking at you guys because you were being lazy.

The path to the trophy isn’t built on laziness.

Be hungry… work hard... get better… and it’ll pay off. Next year it won’t be the semi-finals. It’ll be championship.

Say, “Work hard.”

2) Second thing I want to share is the word: Encouragement. Encouragement is a powerful thing. Your words are powerful. The book of Proverbs also says...

Proverbs 15:4 NLT

Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

I like to define encouragement this way:

To encourage is to plant courage into someone’s heart.

I know yall are middle school boys and it can be common to make fun of one another. But just remember, your words have power. The old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” is garbage. Words hurt. They can crush someone’s spirit.

But they can also be a tree of life. They can empower people to have courage to do the impossible! And for many people, this team going to the championship was once considered impossible. Not anymore, especially if we learn to encourage one another well.

And in the same way that practice can impact a game, so can the offseason impact the season. So, don’t wait until next year to practice encouragement. Build each other up NOW.

Ya’ll go to school together. Do it at school. In the hallways. In class. During GBA games. Encourage one another. Have each other’s back. Find something kind to say each day that will plant courage into a teammates heart.

Say, “Encouragement.”

If we get hard work and encouragement right… the trophy is right around the corner...

3) And that brings me to my final thought... A team built on hard work and encouragement are truly Guardians.

Another story from the Bible talks about a time when the Jewish people were returning to Jerusalem after it had been destroyed. They were given the impossible task of rebuilding the protective wall around the city. The reason it was impossible was because they didn’t have enough resources and were surrounded by enemies.

But their leader, Nehemiah, came up with a plan. He said that each person would be assigned a spot on the wall to work on. Their job was to work hard and focus on finishing that spot. That was their role. And standing right next to them would be another person doing the same thing. And if each person worked hard in their role, side-by-side, and guarded their spot, they’d finish the wall. They’d accomplish the impossible.

To me… that sounds like a football team. Each uniquely skilled player, working hard together, focusing on their specifically assigned job, for the good of the team. That’s what a Guardian does. And Guardians accomplish the impossible.

Next season...

Work hard.

Encourage one another.

Be a Guardian.

Do that… and I believe you’ll bring home that Championship Trophy.

Great season everyone. Looking forward to next year. Thank you.