Unaka @ Cloudland

[pujo]

Does Cloudland really need this kind of post to fire them up?

 

 

 

Is this our future FB we're talking aboutl?

 

That would be the one, I couldn't imagine this kid not getting playing time at Unaka. Seems like a very fine kid to me. Football is written all over this boy. We'll take him.

[pujo]

Does Cloudland really need this kind of post to fire them up?

 

I've got a funny feeling ,this is a troll, don't know anyone from Unaka that would think they could destroy Cloudland. A 1 point win would be amazing.

 

 

Is this our future FB we're talking aboutl?

[TheLastWord]

As a parent of a former Unaka Ranger, I've been closely observing Ranger athletics the last few years from grass cutters and little league on through to middle school ball. I'm the first one to say my kid has had his behavior problems, but his has always worked agggressively hard at becoming the best he could be at athletics. It's what he loves. He is loyal to his coaches, always respecting them and looking up to them as a father figure. His father has never wanted to be a part of his life. Thank goodness for his stepfather.

 

I watched as my kid practiced hard all summer lifting weights and completing drills each day. He trusted his coaching staff to allow him a chance to prove himself this year, but in the back of his mind he always knew he'd have to work twice as hard due to the political competition that is plaguing this football team. He had been warned from others who he respected not to take it too hard when he didn't play as much throughout high school, due to who his parents weren't.

 

It was incredibly hard to sit as an outsider while my boy cried himself to sleep after that first jamboree game when his position that he'd been working so hard at was given to another person's kid who had not practiced all summer and knew he didn't have to work as hard as mine for reasons some of you understand. My son played the last 12 seconds of the ballgame while those who are more "fortunate" than mine started and played the entire game. No explanations were ever given to my boy who wondered why you wouldn't even play him in an exhibition game?

 

Athletics was the one thing I could always use to ensure that he did his homework and placed emphasize on his academics just as much as sports. He knows if he doesn't concentrate on his school work, mind his teachers and coaches, that I will take his uniform away. I've done it before, so I don't think one could say I don't try hard to instill discipline in this boy.

 

Taking that leverage away from me and watching him cry over something that meant so much to him forced me into the making the decision to transfer him. And, wow, what a difference his new coaching & teaching staff has made in him. His grades are great, he gets rewarded on the field for the hard work he puts in, and his whole outlook on life is more positive. That's all I wanted for him was a fair shake and some real leadership. Now he knows for a fact that I'm not the only person in the world proud of him and he's getting the encouragement he needed.

 

It has been sad for him, however to lose so many of his friends who call him a quiter or deserter. Gosh knows I've lost mailboxes and picked enough toilet tissue out of my trees. But if that's what it takes to change his outlook and give him something to be proud of - so be it.

 

I hope Unaka does turn its' entire program around. There are so many good kids there who are great athletes. But you were right. It will take alot of work and a lot of soul searching from some that I don't think are willing to let go of their influence.

Cautiously not trying to get anything started. I've followed this kid through the Jr High ranks, commitment and even the behavioral problems you brout up, was never one of his strong points(I hope he overcomes this). I(my opinion) don't think coach Ensor nor anyone on his staff would or ever will play the political game. My guess is he didn't attend as many practices as his mother was led to believe. Did anyone, or even his mother approach coach Ensor or any member of his staff with these concerns. This appears to be an excuse for a move that had been decided long before the pre-season. It also appears that this young man was not playing the position he and his mother wanted. Most of the time these sort of moves don't work out. He's also going to be the one who takes a kids spot from Hampton, that has came up through ths ranks, and waited HIS turn. Again not trying to get anything started, just my opinion through out side observation.

[bufordtjustus]

Cautiously not trying to get anything started. I've followed this kid through the Jr High ranks, commitment and even the behavioral problems you brout up, was never one of his strong points(I hope he overcomes this). I(my opinion) don't think coach Ensor nor anyone on his staff would or ever will play the political game. My guess is he didn't attend as many practices as his mother was led to believe. Did anyone, or even his mother approach coach Ensor or any member of his staff with these concerns. This appears to be an excuse for a move that had been decided long before the pre-season. It also appears that this young man was not playing the position he and his mother wanted. Most of the time these sort of moves don't work out. He's also going to be the one who takes a kids spot from Hampton, that has came up through ths ranks, and waited HIS turn. Again not trying to get anything started, just my opinion through out side observation.

coaches holding a freshman out of a pre season jamboree aginst one of the areas top 2a schools sounds like the right move to me could take the wrong hit and could end a career ,also sounds like mommy trying to be his coach.all that socalled trust your coaches stuff was just flushed down the toilet,if he sticks with it long enough (espically at hampton he will take some critisim and some choise words (from what i hear and read) then whos' fault will it be then.remember mommy trust is somethingthat you don't just talk about it's something you do.)

[rangerTellIDie]

Are they all injured or are most of them able to play this week. I think if Unaka is healthy , it could be a decent game. I still think Cloudland would win by at least a couple of scores.

 

i know the franky kid (WR#3) is going to play. there are a few that are alittle bet up. but they all should be ready to go come game time

[pujo]

Cautiously not trying to get anything started. I've followed this kid through the Jr High ranks, commitment and even the behavioral problems you brout up, was never one of his strong points(I hope he overcomes this). I(my opinion) don't think coach Ensor nor anyone on his staff would or ever will play the political game. My guess is he didn't attend as many practices as his mother was led to believe. Did anyone, or even his mother approach coach Ensor or any member of his staff with these concerns. This appears to be an excuse for a move that had been decided long before the pre-season. It also appears that this young man was not playing the position he and his mother wanted. Most of the time these sort of moves don't work out. He's also going to be the one who takes a kids spot from Hampton, that has came up through ths ranks, and waited HIS turn. Again not trying to get anything started, just my opinion through out side observation.

 

I hope the move is what the kid needed. He'll have to be accountable at Hampton or he won't play there either. From what I've heard ,he,s doing good. Don't sound like trust was very high at Unaka. I hope they trust the Hampton people. They'll be fair either way it goes. He'll get what he earns.

[TheLastWord]

I hope the move is what the kid needed. He'll have to be accountable at Hampton or he won't play there either. From what I've heard ,he,s doing good. Don't sound like trust was very high at Unaka. I hope they trust the Hampton people. They'll be fair either way it goes. He'll get what he earns.

 

Again well said PUJO!!! I didn't mean to imply that the coaching staff at Hampton wouldn't hold him or any other kid in their program accountable. I hope he does well. It just read as though he had been cheated, so to speak at Unaka. I type cautiously because we(you,readers.and my self) don't know all the facts. I do believe however, the coaches at Unaka and Hampton are good men and have their community, school, and kids best interest at heart. That I do TRUST! However, I still question the communication break down between the mother and coach? This kid was pulled after a pre-season game. How many players, that did not play in Hampton's pre-season game with Cloudland, were pulled? It simply sounds like the type of "parents" that were discussed eariler. Again, I hope the kid makes it I really do. I just don't see this as being handled in the same manner you handled your son with his teacher(I think you were 100% correct).

[TheLastWord]

coaches holding a freshman out of a pre season jamboree aginst one of the areas top 2a schools sounds like the right move to me could take the wrong hit and could end a career ,also sounds like mommy trying to be his coach.all that socalled trust your coaches stuff was just flushed down the toilet,if he sticks with it long enough (espically at hampton he will take some critisim and some choise words (from what i hear and read) then whos' fault will it be then.remember mommy trust is somethingthat you don't just talk about it's something you do.)

 

There may be some truth to this also. I really liked "TRUST is something that you don't just talk about, it's something you DO". Well said!!!!!!

[Tank17]

One more thing is this, I doubt he lost any friends, A true friend is hard to lose. A friend is with you through thick and thin. I do think he is with some great leaders. I also think he's going to love football better than ever. I've heard alot about the kid, tell him to work hard, If I had the chance ,I'd work with him myself. I like working with dedicated kids.

 

 

He is definitely a loyal young man. He still loves his friends at Unaka. He fits in so well at Hampton though that I don't think he will look in the rear view mirror with any regrets.

 

He loves to learn, next time you are around him please do take a minute to teach him a thing or two or three. He takes everything in and loves to talk football. Heck, he just loves to talk period.

 

I appreciate your encouragement as well. I learn alot as a parent just reading your posts.

[Tank17]

Cautiously not trying to get anything started. I've followed this kid through the Jr High ranks, commitment and even the behavioral problems you brout up, was never one of his strong points(I hope he overcomes this). I(my opinion) don't think coach Ensor nor anyone on his staff would or ever will play the political game. My guess is he didn't attend as many practices as his mother was led to believe. Did anyone, or even his mother approach coach Ensor or any member of his staff with these concerns. This appears to be an excuse for a move that had been decided long before the pre-season. It also appears that this young man was not playing the position he and his mother wanted. Most of the time these sort of moves don't work out. He's also going to be the one who takes a kids spot from Hampton, that has came up through ths ranks, and waited HIS turn. Again not trying to get anything started, just my opinion through out side observation.

 

 

Actually, I don't one position from another and could care less what position he plays. I trust the coaches to play him where he would play best. Remember, according to one post I'm just a "Mommy".

 

Funny too, wouldn't it also be the responsibility of the coach or the principal or someone employed by the school to tell the "mommy" or the stepfather or a parent of some sort if the kid wasn't coming to practices as much as he was suppose to? You are correct in saying that I don't know about him missing many practices. He got awful fit over the summer to have been doing not much of nothing.

 

I didn't approach Coach Ensor or any of his staff about any concerns. They didn't seem to care either. No one said a word to me about missing practices or behavioral problems or the like. The transfer was decided on a Monday morning and the coaches didn't even want to talk about it. They were just interested in letting him know he wouldn't play anywhere this year. He was gone a Tuesday, so no it wasn't a pre-season decision. It was made after a weekend of crying and trying to figure out what was best for him.

 

Yes, he has had some behavior problems. He is cocky at times, but most of the time he's just starving for attention. My fault I guess. But he is loyal and is manageable and he is a good athlete. I also have another child who did extremely well under Principal Campbell and I felt like the move was the best. He needed leadership both on and off the field and I think he gets that more at Hampton under their principal and his coaching staff.

 

I'm not trying to start anything either. I just wanted someone to know that my kid felt left out. And I'm not the only parent who wasn't able to drive through the gates, not pay, and park on the track who felt like my kid wouldn't amount to anything and would never be given the chance if he stayed where he was.

[Tank17]

Again well said PUJO!!! I didn't mean to imply that the coaching staff at Hampton wouldn't hold him or any other kid in their program accountable. I hope he does well. It just read as though he had been cheated, so to speak at Unaka. I type cautiously because we(you,readers.and my self) don't know all the facts. I do believe however, the coaches at Unaka and Hampton are good men and have their community, school, and kids best interest at heart. That I do TRUST! However, I still question the communication break down between the mother and coach? This kid was pulled after a pre-season game. How many players, that did not play in Hampton's pre-season game with Cloudland, were pulled? It simply sounds like the type of "parents" that were discussed eariler. Again, I hope the kid makes it I really do. I just don't see this as being handled in the same manner you handled your son with his teacher(I think you were 100% correct).

 

 

As I said in my previous post, athletics was all I had to hold over the boy's head. It became obvious to me early on watching and having conversations with some of his middle school staff that at the high school there would be no room for him. What was I supposed to do when his grades began falling if I didn't have that uniform to take away? I can't beat him, he's 6'2" 252lbs for goodness sake! I would have given anything if just one of those high school coaches would have approached me and just talked with me about him. Just like any other mother out there I just want my kid to get an education and he probably won't be the valadictorian. Maybe I'm wrong, maybe he isn't as good as I think, but what kind of Mom would I be if I didn't stand behind him?

 

I'm not trying to make more enemies here. I don't even know what I'm doing. I'm venting I guess. They told him - and me - straight up if he didn't work hard he won't play at Hampton either. So be it, at least he feels like he's getting his fair opportunity there and it's made a difference in his personality at home and school.

[Tank17]

That would be the one, I couldn't imagine this kid not getting playing time at Unaka. Seems like a very fine kid to me. Football is written all over this boy. We'll take him.

 

 

Thanks Pujo. There talking to me on here like I'm some type of a b*tch pushing her kid down every one's throats. I just believe in him is all. If he isn't worth much, I would accept that. He's my kid and Lord knows I didn't make much out of myself.

 

I really don't know about him missing practices. No one ever approached me about it. I work during the day and he had to walk to practice for a few weeks until I was able to buy him a used scooter to ride. First day he road the stupid thing the cops pulled him over for driving on the road with no tag. I didn't know the stupid moped had to have a tag.

 

He was always there in the afternoon when I rode by after work. I know of a couple where he was late a day or two when he was walking, he was sick one day and one day he wrecked his scooter in the rain on the way to practice. That's all I know about. Coach Campbell told me that Coach Ensor told him the same thing. I'm in the dark here. I know he gained muscle mass from doing something all summer.

 

I'm getting off here now. This whole thing really upsets me. But thanks again for your encouragement. I hope to meet you one day. By the way, I have a nice scooter for sale!