Welcome to Big Warriors Linemen Blog!

This is a great place to network with us. Who are we? A group of Local Coaches from the Western US and Hawaii...as well as Japan, New Zealand, Samoa, and beyond. Our network is designed to take a small group of past players and coaches that know what it takes to make it to the next level in Football. From Friday Night Lights to Saturday game day... we are here to help you make that leap. Most players never make it...and some that do make it probably were not the best at their position. Like many things in life it is the "Who you know" factor. Together we will track some of the best up and coming linemen and athletes in the Western State and Pacific Islands. If you think you got the right stuff and want our help... by all means contact us. The help and advice is free.... so no promises. We can not turn a Hyundai into a Hummer but we will sure try and help...if your willing to work!

"My effort...is my mark.
I will give...so much effort,
That my mark...will not fade."


Saturday, November 17, 2007

A Comment on the HAKA

Portland's Jefferson High Democrats have been doing the HAKA all year and are 9-1 and in the Championship Hunt!   This has unified their team but caused some misunderstanding and concerns.  I wrote a summary for people to try and understand this HAKA and while a school of primarily all African American athletes would eb doing this strange dance.
 
Here is that post!
 

Ka' Mate Ka'Mate... Thats the HAKA! by FBreporter, 11/17/07

They are doing the Ka'Mate Ka'Mate Maori Haka that stems from the ancient warrior cultures from New Zealand and the Maori Island Chains. Brought back in recent years by the Rugby Leagues and the Popular All Blacks in New Zealand; the Haka is now sweeping the world as a dance/ritual that teams are attempting to perform prior to a game. The problem is most do not know what they are doing or do it wrong. It can be a great unifier but can backfire on a team if done wrong. It should only be taught or done by somebody of Polynesian Heritage that knows the essence and meaning.

Done wrong it can be KAPU; forbidden and could result in a threat to the spiritual power or mana.

At Jefferson they have several Samoan and Polynesian Athletes who know it fairly well. They have been doing it prior to the game facing the opposing teams side. They have had to modify that but it clearly is a source of power and strength for them. A great season and a good playoff effort. The sound thrashing of Lincoln was a good example of the level of play there.

Made very popular in Hawaii in the past 10 years by the Mighty Kahuku Red Raiders. As players from Kahuku have gone on to College and to Coaching positions you will see it proliferating.

Here is a link to how they do it! http://youtube.com/watch?v=h98B7bF7l8Y

This is what they are saying with the words:

Leader:

Ka mate, ka mate ('Tis death, 'tis death )(or: I may die)

Team:

Ka ora Ka Ora ('Tis life, 'tis life) (or: I may live)

Leader: Ka mate, ka mate ('Tis death, 'tis death )

Team: Ka ora Ka Ora ('Tis life, 'tis life )

All:

Tçnei te tangata pûhuruhuru

( This the hairy man that stands here... )

Nâna nei i tiki mai whakawhiti te râ

(…who brought the sun and caused it to shine)

 upane, ka upane (A step upward, another step upward)

 upane, ka upane (A step upward, another step upward)

Whiti te râ, hî! (The sun shines!)

So this was one of many Cultural Haka dances that were often used when Rival groups met prior to battle in Polynesia.

Personally I think it is awesome if done right and by qualified people. I think this has been a god thing for Jefferson!

 

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Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Oregon's Jordan Bishop

 

 

 

 
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A tale of two Jordan’s…Oregon’s Elite Wide Receivers! Bishop catches his first offer!
Fall is here and High School Football in Oregon is already headed for the Playoffs in the coming Weeks. The West Salem Titans have had a great run and have a Top 5 rated Offense and Defense all year. The team features many weapons on Offense and Defense. The Titans already know where they are headed….the Playoffs! With the Central Valley Conference League Championship sewed up and a First Round bye the Titans future is fairly secure while other teams battle it out for survival in Oregon’s super tough 6A Division.

While the Titans success has been earned by many talented players a very “Big” part of that success is a result of the talents of Wide Receiver phenom Jordan Bishop. Many insiders believe Bishop to be the best kept secret in this part of the Country.

At the same time Lincoln High’s Jordan Polk is not as his recruitment has happened with the fanfare and Bravado that we have become accustomed to seeing. Polk has been offered by several big time schools and has verbally committed to the Washington Huskies. The Portland Native Polk made a name for himself at Summer Camps, Nike Combines, and SPARQ Events as early as his Junior year.

But down the Valley in Salem Jordan Bishop was focusing on becoming one of the elite Football Players as well as a Premier Track and Field Athlete. As soon as football ends he laces up the track spikes. In fact so much so that Jordan Bishop at 6’3” and 200 pounds is one of the Elite 400 Meter men in Oregon as well as a well as a Top Rated Long and High Jumper. Last year Bishop was the highest scoring athlete at the State Track Meet. He finished:

High Jump: 6’10 ¼”: Second in State
Long Jump: 23’6”: Second in State
400 Meters: 49.56 sec Fourth in State

Bishop is also a First Team All League Basketball Player that can elevate and Dunk at will over his opponents. From a Strength perspective he reps 250 on the Bench, Squats 355, and Power Cleans 305 pounds…a direct result of Titan’s Coach Shawn Stanley and his Strength Training Regimen.

So how does this all translate to Bishop and his ability to be an elite Receiver? Well having watched him I can tell you that at 6’3 and as solid as he is he can make it a very long evening for any corner back. He is also known for catching a very high percentage of balls thrown to him and he can really utilize his leaping ability in doing so. He is fast, quick, has break away speed, and his size is something that can not be coached. There are few corners in High School or College that will be able to match up to him. He is also an All League Corner Back.

At this point in the Season Bishop has just received an offer to play for Coach Glanville and the PSU Vikings and he is very honored. “I am going up for a visit to meet the Coaches and see the program. That would be a good fit for my abilities! So I am definitely considering their offer!”

Still many insiders believe that Bishop’s Commitment to Track and Field and the fact that he has never participated in any Collegiate Summer Camp or Combine event have him wrongfully off many D1 Recruiting Boards. He spent a great deal of last Summer at the Track and Field Regional’s and Nationals while many recruiters asked “where’s Bishop?”

I asked him what makes him a D1 prospect.

“My size is an obvious advantage. I am strong and I can block very well. But I have to say my ability to Leap and react to the ball set me apart. I will catch anything that is thrown my way!” says Bishop.

I asked highly respected Coach Stanley about Jordan’s Future as a Collegiate Player. He offered this.

“I don't know it all, but I have played and coached in college, I have
coached players that have played in the NF Land Jordan Bishop is hands
down the best athlete that I have ever coached, period. If he is not a
Division 1 receiver then I will never coach one because he is the best I
will ever get.”

Bishop’s 40 time has never been widely documented but he has turned in Electronic SPARQ times in the middle 4’s and did run a 4.55 at Oregon State recently.

“I have NEVER seen anyone catch him from behind. There will be some recruiters two years from now that say "how did we not offer that kid?" Stanley added.

“Coach Riley from OSU came to see me last week at school. I would love to be a Beaver!” said Bishop. Other schools on the top of Jordan’s list are University of Oregon, Arizona State, Arizona, Boise State, and he has some interest in Hawaii and Colorado.

It is of Note that the West Salem Titans lost a one point game 29-28 to Oregon’s #1 rated Lake Oswego; a game that they led most of the way. If both teams win through the playoffs they will meet again in the State Championship on December 8th at Reser Stadium. “We want them again for sure. That would be awesome…but we need to earn that first!”

So Coaches and Recruiters don’t say “I never knew”. Here is your chance. The tale of the two Jordan’s is unfolding but the final chapters are not yet written.

Congratulations to Jordan Bishop for your offer from PSU and to the West Salem Titans on all their success! Have a great season.

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Recruitment in Oregon at the HS level not allowed and than there is this!

High-schoolers or free agents?
Transfers - Top prep athletes in Oregon are switching campuses and uniforms, putting a spotlight on the competitive practice
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
JERRY ULMER The Oregonian
Sam Buckingham played football for Lake Oswego High School last year. Now he's at Portland's Grant High School.
Zach Young played at Lakeridge last year. He has slid over to Lake Oswego.
Travis Dunn played at North Salem and Tyrell Fortune at Parkrose last year. They've landed at Lakeridge.
High school athletes have moved from school to school for years. But the changes in uniform involving some of the state's most prominent football players has ignited a debate among parents and coaches.
Young's transfer is at the center of the storm. In the third game of the season, Lake Oswego beat two-time state champion Jesuit, ending the Beaverton school's 28-game winning streak. Young scored two touchdowns, and Lake Oswego supplanted Jesuit as the state's No. 1 high school football team.
Top college athletes have to sit out a year when they move from school to school. But the association that governs high school sports in Oregon allows local school districts to set rules for transfers.
They vary. Beaverton, for example, requires students to attend their neighborhood school unless both principals agree to a transfer. Lake Oswego, by contrast, allows transfers between its two high schools for myriad reasons.
"I understand that doing what's in the best interest of the kids is the most important thing, and every kid's situation is going to be unique," said Lakeridge football coach Rob Kool, whose team lost Young to its city rival and has a backfield featuring two incoming transfers. "But it can't be as easy as jumping around at will or at a parent's whim."
Superintendent Bill Korach said the Lake Oswego School District doesn't allow transfers for athletic reasons. "That said, we accept the parents' word for whatever the reason is," he added.
After Young's transfer, Lakeridge coaches from several sports requested a forum with Korach.
"I don't know how you change the policy," Lake Oswego football coach Steve Coury said. "No one said anything about it until now. Zach came over, and it's made it a big issue." "Who am I to stop that?"
Zach Young grew up playing football on the other side of the lake. He was a Lakeridge kid all the way.
He started playing for Kool as a fourth-grader and became close with the coach's son, quarterback Robbie Kool. He and Robbie Kool made a dynamic backfield combination for the Pacers the last two seasons and were looking ahead to a big senior year.
Those plans changed in the spring, though, when Young's parents, Tony and Lynda, made a decision.
"We figured that Lake Oswego would be a good place for Zach to land, and just as good scholastically," Tony Young said. "It was a tough decision, because it was his last year. But he's a grown boy now. And we just decided that's the best for our son."
Cutting his Lakeridge ties and telling the Kools wasn't easy for Zach Young.
"They're still my friends, my family. I'm always going to love them," he said. "But I had to make a switch, so I'm over here."
The news stung not only the Kools, but also much of the Lakeridge team.
"But at the same time," Rob Kool said, "he's a great kid and a phenomenal athlete. And if his family views that it's in the best interest of Zach and his future, then who am I to stop that?"
Young became probably the most prominent example of a football player transferring between the schools. Two of Young's Lake Oswego teammates -- senior receiver Anthony Culver and senior linebacker Ross Ehren -- also have made the switch.
Over the years, both schools have been hurt and benefited from the policy. According to Korach, though, the policy is bigger than athletics.
"You can't insert your judgment for the judgment of the parent," Korach said. "Can that be abused? Yes. But we believe the greater good of the district is in believing our parents and trusting our parents to be honest with us." OSAA has stipulations
Under the Lake Oswego district's rules, Young was able to transfer without moving. Even in districts with more stringent transfer guidelines, there are few restrictions on students whose parents move so they can attend another school.
In Oregon, provided a high school student meets a district's admissions criteria, only two rules can prevent a transfer student from being eligible for athletics immediately, according to the Oregon School Activities Association.
Rule 8.6.5, added to the OSAA handbook in 2004, says that a transfer is not permitted to play for the new school for one year if the school has a coach who coached the athlete in an out-of-season sport. Also, a transfer must sit for one year if "undue influence" -- or recruiting -- is proved.
Both exceptions have come into question this year at Lakeridge. Not only did Tyrell Fortune (also a state champion wrestler) and twin brother Tyree come over from Parkrose, but so did former Parkrose assistant football coach Calvin Griggs.
Rob Kool said Lakeridge hired Griggs, after the Fortunes decided to transfer, to fill a vacancy as a receivers and secondary coach.
"We went through all the proper channels -- an investigation and all that -- to make sure everything was on the up and up before we hired him," Kool said. "We were very cognizant of the fact that people would want to say things."
Students entering the Lake Oswego district must prove residency or pay out-of-district tuition, which requires their home district to release them. The Fortunes live in an apartment in the Lake Oswego district with their mother, Kool said.
"Have I personally checked the residence? No," Korach said. "But that's what I've been told."
Still, some are skeptical of how thoroughly districts investigate residency. Three years ago, a group identifying itself as "Metro Parents, Coaches and players" hired a private investigator in an attempt to prove that a Beaverton High School football player was not living in the school's enrollment area.
Clackamas athletic director Jeff Erdman said the North Clackamas School District takes residency seriously.
"I have gone and done a site visit when I thought there was doubt," said Erdman, whose high school, like the other two in the North Clackamas district, competes with the Lake Oswego schools in the Three Rivers League. "I've had a situation when a student wasn't living in a home. Out of 2,300 kids at our school, are there any living at phony addresses? Probably. But I hope not." Young: "It's wonderful"
In the case of Zach Young, the transfer appears to be working out for the student and his new team. In his third game with the Lakers, Young was the catalyst in one of Lake Oswego's biggest wins, the 21-0 victory over Jesuit .
Tony Young said his son is fitting in just as he imagined.
"He was a little nervous going in just because he had been at Lakeridge for three years and had accumulated some friends," Tony Young said. "But he went over there and was welcomed with open arms."
Zach Young has become a Laker. After the win over Jesuit, he went to a school dance and then joined his teammates to celebrate at a fast-food restaurant, a team ritual.
"My friendships are starting to grow, and I'm starting to hang out with them more," Zach Young said. "Everything has just blossomed, and it's working out for the best. It's wonderful. Everyone is really nice. The coaches are great. I love it. It's new. It's different. It's exciting."
Jerry Ulmer: 503-221-8161; jerryulmer20@yahoo.com
©2007 The Oregonian
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Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Family of Linemen Produce Great Results


Read this story about Portland, Oregon Native Stan Brock and his Family. If you ever get a chance to meet any of them do so! Oregon's First Football Family.

Subject: Stan is the man
Times Herald-Record, Middletown, NY, Aug. 31, 2007

By Sal Interdonato

West Point — Stan Brock pulled aside Army fullback Mike Viti after practice Wednesday.

Brock, in his first season as Army's head coach, and Viti might have been chatting about the team's pulse before their opener tomorrow in Cleveland against Akron.

Or about the team's relationship with the Corps of Cadets. Maybe some talk about academics and family was sprinkled in.

Viti says Brock is a players' coach.

"He understands the needs of a football player and how daunting this place can get," said Viti, a senior captain. "He cares about all the players."

It's not an act. Brock went through Beast Barracks, Army's grueling summer training for incoming cadets, when he was offensive line coach.

"The players must have been thinking, 'This guy is a little different,' " said Pete Brock, the oldest of four Brock brothers to play in the NFL. "How many college head coaches would do that? He wanted to make sure the kids knew he appreciated what they are going through and their challenges."

Poll Brock's family, former teammates and coaches and they all say Brock, who played tackle for 16 seasons in the NFL, is as real as they come.

"He's just a good guy," said Jim Mora, Brock's former coach in New Orleans. "Players love him. He's a good family man and one of the most popular players on the team. He was loyal to me. I never had to worry about him being a locker-room lawyer. He knows what it takes to be successful."

SOME ARMY ALUMNI think Brock isn't the man to resurrect Army football and post the academy's first winning season since 1996. He hasn't been a head coach at the college or NFL level, they bark.

Brock has the chance to prove them wrong. And he's changing Army's culture on and off the field.

Players are talking more confidently in the preseason. Practices ended with a team chant of "1-0."

Brock is building a family atmosphere at West Point. He regularly has the coaching staff to his home for barbecues.

Tim Walsh left his head coaching position at Division I-AA Portland State to be Army's offensive coordinator.

Robert Lyles, a former NFL linebacker for the Oilers and Falcons who was Brock's defensive coordinator at two AFL stops, is the linebacker coach.

John Tice, who lined up alongside Brock as a tight end at New Orleans, is the offensive line coach.

"We're all in this together. That's how I was raised," Brock said. "We can sit around and laugh and you get to know who you are going to battle with."

FAMILY IS BIG to Brock. He is the third of eight children (five boys and three girls). Jean Brock made sure her children never ate leftovers. Mom had a hot dinner ready for every sibling despite varying schedules.

The Brocks attended Jesuit High School in Portland, Ore., an all-boys school at the time. They worked landscaping and washed dishes to help pay the tuition.

Len Brock, a Portland police officer, instilled in his sons, "Show up and do it. Let's be the best. I don't care if you are oversized and overmatched."

Stan, like all Brock boys, didn't play football until high school because he was too big to play Pop Warner.

It didn't matter. After high school, one by one, the Brocks had great college careers. Pete, Stan and Willie played at Colorado. Ray went to LSU.

They all made it to the NFL. Pete played center 12 years for the Patriots (1976-87). Willie was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1978 and played his rookie season for the Detroit Lions. Ray went to two training camps with the Chiefs.

When Len Brock was asked how he trained his sons to be competitive, he said, "There were eight kids. We set the table for seven and rang the dinner bell."

And the Brocks loved hunting and fishing as much as football, growing up in Oregon. Stan is an avid fisherman.

Walk into his office and it's hard to miss the 62-pound King Salmon he caught in Alaska, mounted behind his desk.

Brock's office also has a great view of Michie Stadium, Army's home. Sometimes, Brock, 49, wants to strap on the helmet again.

"I still have that blood flowing to go out there, but I'm smart enough to know that I can't," Brock said.
He might not be able to join the huddle, but his voice is heard inside it.
What they say about Stan Brock
"Whatever he tells you he's going to do, that's what he's going to do. He's a man of his word. He's not going to recruit somebody on false pretenses. The team always came first with Stan and it still does." - Bum Phillips, Brock's former coach with the New Orleans Saints from 1981-1985.

"If I was in a situation where I was backed into an alley and a bunch of guys were coming at me, and I could pick any player I coached to help me, Stan would be the guy I'd pick to help me out. Stan was tough as nails and I don't know anybody tougher." - Jim Mora, Brock's former coach with the Saints from 1986-92.

"Everything he does is with enormous passion and a big smile. He can step outside of the box. I don't think I've ever had a bad time being around the guy." - Tim Walsh, Army offensive coordinator

"Coach Brock came in fired up and it spread throughout the players. He actually really believes in us." - Army senior safety Caleb Campbell

"I think it is Stan's job to take it to the next level and I think he has put together a great coaching staff and has more talent than we had when we played. Hopefully, this all leads to more victories. I can tell the commitment is there." - Jim Cantelupe, captain of Army's 1995 team

"Stan is the same guy that I knew in New Orleans. He's a no-nonsense guy and a little old-fashioned. You have to respect a guy who cares for people and whose interest is true and there's no BS." - John Tice, Brock's teammate in New Orleans and Army's offensive line coach

"He treats the superintendent and the director of athletics the same as he treats the janitor." - John Brock, Brock's nephew and Army's director of player personnel

James Craig Flowers
LTC US Army
Director, Cadet Activities
845 938 2715

All for the Corps

Monday, July 30, 2007

Small Town Kahuku Plays Big Time Gridiron!

Kahuku tied for producing most NFL players

Advertiser Staff

Defending state champion Kahuku is tied with four other high schools with the most players on NFL rosters, USA Football announced.

The five Kahuku products are Aaron Francisco (Arizona Cardinals), Chris Kemoeatu (Pittsburgh Steelers), Ma'ake Kemoeatu (Carolina Panthers), Itula Mil (Seattle Seahawks) and Chris Naeole (Jacksonville Jaguars).

Kahuku is tied with two Florida schools — Dillard of Fort Lauderdale and Ely of Pompano Beach — and two California schools — Dorsey (Los Angeles) and Long Beach Poly.

The totals are based on the 1,695-man rosters that started the season.

Kahuku, which has won four of the past six state football titles, had six players in the NFL last year.

"We came from a small community and that's all there is there is football," Aaron Francisco, who played at Brigham Young University, told USA Football. "That's everyone's life there. It's shocking to me that we're tied for first. I had no idea."

"It's a big tradition where I'm from," said Naeole, who played at the University of Colorado. "Kahuku is on the North Shore and it has the whole community pride like other schools, but it's a little bit more. Everyone comes out to support the team. I've been gone awhile, but the name is still the same. I go back there and they just keep pumping out kids. My nephew came out this year and got a scholarship. Everyone there is strong-minded. There are a lot of Polynesians in the league from all over Hawaii."

California led all states, producing the most NFL players (206), followed by Florida (177) and Texas (175). No other state has more than 100. Hawai'i has more than 20 in the NFL. The University of Hawai'i, which has produced Jason Elam, Vince Manuwai, Pisa Tinoisamoa and Jeff Ulbrich, also has produced one of three players from American Samoa (San Francisco's Isa'ako Sapoaga) and one of two from Australia (Dallas' Mat McBriar).


Tuesday, July 24, 2007

SPARQ TEAM CHALLENGE


All Players in the Pac NW!! Come get Some! Lats chance this year to get tested.

See you all there.

2007 Combine Photos

2007 Combine Photos
Take a look at these big Linemen and Athletes in Hawaii in Summer of 2007 at the PIAA Atheletic Alliance Clinic. This was again a great event and featured players from all over the Pacific Islands Looking to get tested and showcase their skills. The 5 Hour SAT Prep Course was of course awesome as well. Check it out!

Past Meets the Future at Velocity Sports Summer Camp




It was an awesome site this week as some of the NW Best position Coaches came together to coach the young ones coming up at the Velocity Sports Hillsboro Football Skills Camp. Led by master speed and agility Trainer Matt James this was an awesome week of skills development. About 100 youht players were in attendence in the July Rains of Oregon to get better and have a whole lot of Fun. I could not help but appreciate Friday where we had 2-4th graders who are the Future on the field with Current athletes from Westview High School (Wildcats) and Portland State University, also the safety fromt he Detroit Lions was there. This is capped off by having All American Willis Brock (Colorado, Detroit Lions) on the field at the same time.

Passing along the knowledge was the bets thing. Pictured here is 3rd team Preseaon All American OT Daren Heerspink of Portland State University getting lessons in life form Willis Brock; All American Long Snapper from Colorado. The week was awesome and all that came learned and had a great time.

Monday, July 16, 2007

Just Win Camp in Maui is another Smashing Success!!




Aloha Dirk,

 

This is just a short note to tell you how the 2007 Just Win Camp on Maui went.

 

     The first day was a blustery day. Winds were gusting up to 35mph, the receivers were wondering if the quarterbacks were ever going to deliver.   The OL and DL did not seem to mind.  Big Solomon Koehler was showing his power early.  Mykenna Ikehara was also very impressive.  

 

     The second day came and the winds calmed down to about 15 mph.  Quarterback Jordan Monico from Moanalua High started to shine.  Kama Bailey from Damien is the real deal.  He has good speed and great hands.   His effort to win is what impressed most.  He was really showing that he was the best back in Hawaii.  Over on the lineman field Sean Tesoro from Baldwin High and Montay Rover from Moanalua started to battle with the best.   The line coaches were really working them hard.  There is a pool nearby, but this is not a resort camp, this is a work camp.   The athletes left it all out on the field.  There was a receiver that was late coming to the camp, but most impressive was Chase Nakamura from Baldwin High.   He had other camps that he was attending, but made it home to Maui for the annual Just Win Camp.  He is a leaper and is a very skilled receiver.   Adam Hom and Aaron Tipoti from Pac5 (Word of Life) were above the rest at Linebacker.  Jarom Baldomero from Iolani was also very impressive at linebacker.

 

      Day three the soreness has set in and now the college coaches are looking to see who really wants to be a college football player.   Kahai Choy, Billy Stutzman, Haku Correa, and Tyson Nishihara are definitely college material.  Damon Pescaia does not have the size, but has the heart to be what college coaches are looking for.   He was given a special award created by Coach Gerke and Coach Himebauch for the best scrapper.

 

     The 2007 Just Win Camp was a success.  The 2008 Camp will be the sixth year on Maui.   If you want to be seen by many Pac10 coaches and a few other conferences, you can not miss this camp.  Come test yourself against the best of Hawaii.

 

 

J.W. Kenton
Camp Director
Just Win Football, Inc


Saturday, July 14, 2007

Colin Kelly of Kelso is making some Noise

This Summer 6'5' 250 pound Colin Kelly has been making the rounds here
in the NW. Pictured here at the Line of Scrimmage Camp at Western
Oregon University. Colin was the bench press Champ at 23 reps out his
group of seniors. He has a great athletic build and will project well
as a TE or OL. His frame could handle more weight and he is very fit
right now. Blocks well. has some technique to improve upon but
impressed al of the coaches this year!

Good luck to Colin.

DSC08627.JPG

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Line of Scrimmage Camp pounds it Out in Summer 2007




NW Best Pound it out at Line of Scrimmage Camp It was a typical Summer week in Monmouth, Oregon. This small college town was all but empty as most students had left until Fall. Tractors droned as clouds of dust rose amongst the rows of new cut hay. On the edge of town the local Farm auction was gearing up at the fairgrounds. The big news around town was that local boy and graduate of Western Oregon University, Daryl “Mouse” Davis, was returning to Oregon to Coach once again at Portland State University. Other than that it was a quiet morning. I stopped along Main Street for a cup of coffee. It was going to be a really hot day. But in the distance I heard the faint sounds of whistles and a distinctive “Thud” could be heard as the real boys of Summer began their 3 day ordeal. The Western Oregon University Line of Scrimmage Camp was just beginning. I arrived to find this years Camp at full tilt right out of gate. The camp opened with 215 Offensive and defensive linemen from around the NW and as far away as Arizona, Alaska, and Kona, Hawaii. The Camp is unique as it features Coaches from around the NW all coming together to teach the finer points of play along the line of scrimmage. There was no lack of enthusiasm or hitting at this Camp. Often underappreciated, the line positions are generally considered the heart of the team; without which success can not be achieved. Camp Director Tim Bowman of WOU puts on this superb camp and had this to say “The camp is a great opportunity to develop as a player and network with Coaches that these young men may play for someday. This is a great group of players and coaches…it’s awesome. It really is”. Working both offense and defense the players are engaging and delivering contact on almost every rep. The camp featured and official SPARQ Event, and 8 Full Contact sessions 2 hours each. This all occurs around the spectacular setting that is WOU. The weather was brutally hot but water and hydration were a priority. The competition was excellent and players ranged in size but it was common to see 6’2” to 6’6” players upwards of 340 pounds going at it. The coaching in my opinion was excellent and included some of the best technique training I have seen. The coaching staff this year included: Ryan O'Malley, OC, Western Oregon University Aleki Pascua, OL, Western Oregon University Josh Manning, TE, Western Oregon University Camron Olson, RB, Western Oregon University Bob Beers, Personnel Scout, Houston Texans (Formerly w/ the Detroit Lions) Zach Tinker, TE / Asst HC, Western Washington (Formerly OL Coach) David LaSalata, OL, Pacific Lutheran University Jared Terrible, DL, Univ of Puget Sound Ian Falconer, DL, Lewis & Clark Nick Whitworth, RB, Idaho State University Tim Camp, OL, Eastern Oregon University Eti Ena, DC, Eastern Oregon University Steve Helminiak, HC, Southern Oregon University Stacy Collins, DC, Southern Oregon University Tim Price, DL, Southern Oregon University By Camps end we had several stand out recruits including: Robert Atoe: DT/OT SR: The Dalles-Wahtonka, Oregon: 337 lbs.: 6’3.5” Demetri Enesi: DE /OG SR: Westview HS; Beaverton, Or: 248 lbs: 6’1” Zach Kaahanui: DT/N/C JR: Central Catholic, Portland,Or: 260 lbs: 5’11” Keoki Mawae: OT/ML SR: RA Long: Longview, WA: 240 lbs: 6’6” Colin Kelly: SR: TE/OT Kelso HS, Kelso, WA: 250 lbs; 6’5” Gavin Drake: SR: DE/OG Central Catholic, Portland, Or: 250 lbs: 6’2” Camp Awards Went to: Junior awards went to Marcus Cuellar, Central HS, Joel Brunello, McMinnville HS, Paul Tuma, Southridge HS, and Zach Ka'ahanui, Central Catholic HS. Senior awards went to Keoki Mawae, RA Long HS (WA), Aaron Lenk, Graham Kapowsin HS (WA), Delvin Afusia, Dimond HS (AK), and Gavin Drake, Central Catholic. Watch for these players as well as al of the linemen in attendance coming to a Friday Night nearest you! All players excelled and the camp was a huge success. The camp also featured guest speakers, some great team competition, and excellent advisement about getting recruited by Colleges which I will cover in a follow up story. Players wanting to dedicate themselves to being the best can certainly take a step in that direction by attending the Western Oregon Line of Scrimmage Camp.

See all the Pics and Videos Too here at this Link:

Sunday, July 08, 2007

Battle for Baghdad Rages in Hawaii


Well the 2007 JUST WIN Football Camps just wrapped up in Maui and I heard it was awesome. Over 220 Big Linemen, mostly of Polynesian Decent, met on the sloped of Mt Haleakala to battle it out and improve their skills. I will write more on this when I get all of the details on the results but it is enough to say the coachign and level of competition was awesome. This year the boys all learned an authentic Haka from a legit Maori Native and that Volcano echoed with the roar these young warriors made.

Antonio Guice recruiting going Great Summer of 2007

Good Thing Going

By Allen Wallace
National Recruiting Editor
Posted Jun 28, 2007

Demetrius Guice's first scholarship offer was from California in May and he says he'll visit the Bears in July. "I've been there once, but we just drove through the campus," Guice said. "It looked really nice and I like the environment a lot. Also, they have great academics and you can pretty much get a job anywhere with a degree from there..."

Demetrius Guice, the 6-foot-5, 240-pound three-star tight end from Central Catholic High School in Portland, Ore., played most of his junior season with a broken right hand and that's why he saw most of his time on defense. He finished the year with 55 tackles and two sacks.
Guice benches 260 pounds, squats 330 and runs the forty in 4.8.

"I think I am a good blocker and I use my height as an advantage," Guice said. "I can get the jump ball in the red zone and I have all right speed for my size. I also run great routes and have soft hands.

"Overall, I'd like to improve my strength and speed," he said. "I want to lower my forty time."

Guice, ranked No. 82 in the West by Scout.com, has offers from California, Washington and Portland State and his top two are the Bears and Huskies. Those two lead solidly over Oregon State, Oregon and UNLV.

"I was raised on Oregon State because my dad (Rudy Guice) played linebacker for them," he said. The Beavers are less than two hours from his house, but Guice says distance is not a factor. "I talk with both Oregon and Oregon State a lot, but they haven't talked about a scholarship yet," Guice said. "They said they really want to see me in person and invited me to their camps, but I won't be able to make it."

The only camp that Guice will be attending is Washington's on June 30. "I got a good feeling when I was there," he said. "I like the campus a lot. It's very close together and not spread out. I also like coach Ty Willingham. He runs a good program and they have a good thing going."

Guice's first scholarship offer was from California in May and he says he'll visit the Bears in July. "I've been there once, but we just drove through the campus," Guice said. "It looked really nice and I like the environment a lot. Also, they have great academics and you can pretty much get a job anywhere with a degree from there.

"A lot of people are telling me to commit before the season and that's what I'd like to do," he said. "If I don't get offers from Oregon or Oregon State this summer, then I think I'll just choose between Cal or Washington."

He reports a 2.2 core GPA and took the SAT on June 5. He's also taking math

Friday, June 29, 2007

Greg Barton Summer 2007 Showcase

Barton Marketing Workout Brings out the NW Big Men

May 14, 2007Barton Marketing Workout
Recap Dirk KnudsenSpecial to OregonPreps.com
Talk about it in OP Members Forum

It was an overcast day here on Saturday at Williamete University at the Barton Marketing Fottball Combine, but there were easily 200-250 players here during the event. There were actually quite a few colleges at this event as well. Head coach Mike Riley of Oregon State was personally on the field and was busy taking notes. Steve Greatwood from Oregon was there, and coaches from the likes of Washington, Idaho, Idaho State, Western Oregon, Linfield, Stanford, Southern Oregon, Assumption, and former Portland State Coach Tim Walsh now at Westpoint/Army (who says "Hi" by the way) were there as well. Coaches from PSU were there in force....and there were several others.The $100 entry fee seemed to have kept away some of the best talent in the State but for most that went it was a very good day.

The AM session featured an excellent group of QB's, Backs, and Receivers from around the State. All eyes were on Raphiel Lambert of Jesuit and the speedy back did not disappoint showing great quickness and agility as well as some acrobatic catches. Equally impressive was Paul McCoy of Grant HS. His speed and ability to get vertical was perhaps the best we saw this day. Sounds as if his committment to play basketball at Pepperdine is pretty solid but there is no doubt that Paul will have other offers to play football coming in. Also looking good at receiver were Jay Matthews from Lake Oswego, Jordan Freelander and Demetrius Guice from Central Catholic, and Joel Gross from Beaverton.[Photo][Photo] [Photo]Nick Green is making up for missing all of last seasonQB's: The Oregon guys were for the most part excellent. I thought that Nick Green from Central Catholic and Josh Hill from Westview looked the best. I also liked Dan Buckmeier from Westview at QB. Also impressive were Gabe Linehan of Banks and Robbie Kool of Lakeridge. There is also no doubt that Kellen Mastrud of Southridge has improved and would appear to be leading his team for the next 2 years. Andre Broadous from Grant was the most mobile of the bunch and appears to be quicker than ever.

Linemen were very solid! Washington clearly has a class of several premier linemen. But the Oregon Boys showed there stuff. Standouts were Jacob Ayala from Cascade Christian at 6-foot-4, 305-pounds. and man does he bring the nasty stuff. Gavin Drake from Central Catholic impressed on defense. Marist of Eugene will probably outsize anybody in the State this year with Bronson Durrant at 6-foot-4 and 275-pounds; very quick, Rahkim Price at 6-foot-5 and 265-pounds, Thomas Singell at 6-foot-3 and 265-pounds, and junior sensation Charles Siddoway at 6-foot-6, 290-pounds. Watch this group folks. They are well coached, agile and may give Sheldon a handful in week two of the season. Siddoway is capable of being the top recruit in next years class and moves very very well for a big man.Also on the line, John Moore of Hood River gets the work horse award and is listed at 6-foot-5, 285-pounds. Jon Eric Opperud from Milwaukie also had a good day and is listed at 6-foot-7, 280-pounds. Joe Pittman from Glencoe is going to be tough to move as well and at 6-foot-3, 310-pounds, he can generate some great leverage.Perhaps one of the best Senior Linemen I saw all day was Kyle Ritt of Aloha. Great use of his feet and hands and at 6-foot-3 and about 280-pounds, he appears to be in top shape for his season. Matt Lipski draws attention wherever he goesI could not close this look at the Barton Event without discussing Matt Lipski of Ashland. I have only heard about Matt through sources but seeing this giant sort of completed the picture. Now I have seen some similar size but he carries this 6-foot-9, 350-pounds+- frame very well. Matt was capable of throwing opposing players off their feet. He clearly can play and I believe will play D-IA ball. If his agility within a 10-15 yard burst continues to improve he can really be something special. This is the type of tackle that colleges across the Nation dream of. Not only that he is a quality kid.Congrats to all of the players. This is a unique event. That is noted by the fact that the Washington players equaled the Oregon Players.

There are few if any Summer Camps you can get to or events where many coaches can see you as a player at one time. This event was the same as the Barton Sunday workout at Air Attack and was a great way for these players to get seen. Linemen should get to the Western Oregon Line of Scrimmage Camp and all players should get to the June 8, Nike Sparq Combine at Hillsboro Stadium. These are two very good events.One thing the coaches kept coming back to. Speed, Quickness, and Agility! This is the key factor they are looking for and those that had it garnered the most attention.Great job guys! Keep working hard.

Oregon Football in the Summer Heats Up!

OREGON FOOTBALL HEATS UP
June 13, 2007Dirk KnudsenOregonPreps.com Staff WriterTalk about it in OP Members ForumSpring may have come in like a lamb but it is going out like a lion. This past weekend we saw two great events bring out some of the best Football talent on the West Coast. Oregon players were no exception taking to the road to hit the Nike Sparq Training Event at Hillsboro Stadium and the Nike NFTC Football Camp at the University of Oregon. It was my privilege to cover these two great events. We witnessed some great action.Starting at Hillsboro Stadium on June 9th, 2007 we had about 450 players come to take on the SPARQ testing events. The bench, 40, 20 yard shuttle, and vert. jump were all tested by this group. Several individual efforts stood out including Tigard's Scott Grady with a 4.59 electronic 40. 6'3" 189 pound Jordan Bishop from West Salem continued his ascent to the top of the 2007 recruitment list with a blistering 4.13 shuttle and a solid 4.7 40. This is a great athlete that sprints with Oregon's elite and who high jumps 6'7" plus. College recruiters will want to follow both Mr. Grady and Mr. Bishop this year.While many athletes stood out I could not help but notice the number of very fit athletes from Westview, West Salem, and Grant. No coincidence that all three of these teams are considered Top 10 if not Top 5 teams. Results are still out on the SPARQ Scores but the high score of the day was 77.8.The next morning at U of O we saw many of the same faces. There were some great individual efforts. Here are some of the best competitors Saturday:QuarterbacksAndre Broadous, Grant HS: He was in a word spectacular. His quickness and speed as well as his arm stand out in this senior class. Broadhus projects as an Athlete that can do it all. The talent is undeniable. His challenge will be height at the QB position but man he lacks nothing else.Nick Green, Central Catholic: Yah I know he has something to prove still. He got it done this day folks and looks the part of a mobile QB.Robbie Kool, Lakeridge: A very solid effort again and he was throwing the ball well all day. I expect his #'s to shine again this year.Josh Hill, Westview: I know he is a Junior but this kid has the whole package and I thought moved with the best feet and delivered some nice balls. He again proved himself to be in the best of State bracket.Running BacksKaale Papas, Westview: Great feet and nice ball control. Should have a great season next to Hill all year.David Puckett, Glencoe: Runs with Purpose and hits the hole very well.Sam Buckingham, Grant: The former LO Laker looked very good. Should add a dimension at Grant to compliment Broadous.Wide receiversScott Grady, Tigard: 5'11" and 180. This kid may just be the real deal. Fast. Great hands. Hard to defend and he can jump. He was selected as the #1 Camp receiver and that was a real compliment out of this group. Scott does it all. Watch this to complete that thought: http://youtube.com/watch?v=60Va5jUncM0Spencer Arns, Westview: Arns is a terrific athlete with terrific hands and just finished a championship run for Westview baseball. Very quick and can accelerate through his patterns very well. Should be a first team all state athlete if he lives up to his potential. Another potent weapon for the Cats.Billy Mitchell, Lakeridge: The 6'2" Mitchell who also is an accomplished sprinter proved his hands and feet among the best. Mitchell is a second year player and Junior next year at Lakeridge.Tight EndsStandout was Tyler Carey from Westview. At 6'2" and 225 Carey is poised for a break out year. He recently ran a 4.85 at the Nike event and is displaying very good hands. Missing were Demetrius Guice of Central Catholic who has just received official offers from Cal and Washington and John Gallagher the speedy 6'2" 232 pound TE from West Salem.Offensive LinemenThe big men were really mixing it up. Once again the boys from Marist topped my list led by Charles Siddoway Jr . I would say that for the Oregon group we are seeing the emergence of Keith Rader from Westview who took on some great one on one challenges and was not beaten. Keith is 6'4" and 240 and possesses superior footwork and technique. Melvin Jenkins of Grant was also in good form. He has some technique issues but with a little work Melvin promises to be one of the biggest and best in the State.Defensive LineEric Perry , Westview: The 6'4" 260 pound State heavy Weight wrestling contender was solid all day. Perry was mugged by an opposing linemen form Idaho and gave back more than he got. He will be solid again this year.Demetri Enesi, The Dalles-Wahtonka: 6'2" and 255. Faster and had better feet than anyone on the field. He is very quick off that edge and cuts back well if and opposing linemen open up to stop his outside rush.LinebackersReni Diaz, Lincoln: Big. Athletic. And very sound technique. Overall a very solid player. He and team mate Ethan Johnson promise to bring the defense to the Cardinals opponents this year.Jordan Tuia, Westview: Third year varsity player Tuia displayed great awareness and hands. Along with team mate and 80 point SPARQ score Jayme Morgan the Wildcats would appear ready to lay the wood on some teams.Overall this event drew from a smaller group. There is no doubt that the Washington Schools are loaded up as well. The Oregon boys got a chance to work against some of the best of the West. This looks to be another great year for Oregon Prep football and as the school year comes to an end. I can hear the lions roaring and ready for battle. --Dirk T KnudsenPresidentRe\max Metro: #1 ranked Sales Team in Portland: 2006Re\Max Hall of Fame503-799-8383 (Cell)http://www.theknudsens.com/http://www.derbycamp.com/

Portland Oregon's Ethan Johnson Selects Notre dame

Chad Carlson expected a quiet night at home on Wednesday.
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Johnson felt very comfortable on the Notre Dame campus.What the head coach at Lincoln High School in Portland, Ore., got was a non-stop stream of phone calls about his standout defensive end Ethan Johnson. The 6-foot-4, 266-pound athlete was fresh off a camp stop at Notre Dame that finished with a verbal commitment to the Irish, but Johnson immediately left South Bend for vacation with little confirmation coming directly from the nation's No. 48 overall prospect.That all changed on Thursday morning when Carlson caught up with Johnson about the four-star prospect's decision to choose Notre Dame over USC and Michigan. Johnson, who'll line up as a defensive end in Corwin Brown's 3-4 scheme, is the 17th verbal commitment in Notre Dame's next recruiting class and the fifth from a defensive lineman."Ethan had a good idea about Notre Dame for a long time," Carlson said. "Ethan is the kind of guy who's going to really think about all his decisions. He wanted to make sure that he felt comfortable at Notre Dame with the campus and the type of people there."Johnson met with several of his future teammates during the camp trip but it was the contact with Charlie Weis, Corwin Brown and Jappy Oliver that really kept the ball rolling for Notre Dame. Earlier this year Weis made a spring trip to Portland to meet with Carlson, a sit down that helped convince the high school coach that Notre Dame might be the perfect fit for his star."Coach Weis was unbelievable," Carlson said. "The straight-forwardness and the genuineness of Coach Weis, he'll look you in the eye and you believe what he's telling you. A few other coaches did that, a few didn't. Coach Weis was very impressive. He's more than a football coach and that's important."And for Johnson, Notre Dame offered more than a chance at early playing time. Carlson said every school that courted the defensive end told him he could get on the field quickly, but Notre Dame's academic reputation was what helped push the Irish over the top. Johnson plans to enroll in Notre Dame's business a school."He really liked the academic side and being accepted into the business school where he can focus on that right away," Carlson said. "Ethan thought about academics more than he did about football because that's great at other places too like Michigan, USC, Oregon, Boise State and most every other school in the nation that was looking at him."Carlson said he wasn't surprised by Johnson's ultimate decision or by its timing.In fact, Weis told Carlson that Johnson would get a gut feeling on Notre Dame almost immediately during his camp visit."Weis was right," Carlson said. "From the get-go I felt that Notre Dame was the right place for him to be. He's the right kind of person, a very good person inside. I'm not saying that other teams don't have good people, I just think Notre Dame overall makes the most sense for him."

Monday, June 25, 2007

Getting Recruited: Advise from the Experts

MARKET YOURSELF TO GET RECRUITED


We first need to put the importance of marketing yourself t into perspective. According to NCAA statistics, the probabilities of high school senior athletes going on to play in any NCAA Division, by sport are:

  • 3% or less than 1 in 35 boy's basketball players.
  • 3.3% or 3 in 100 girls' basketball players.
  • 5.7% or 1 in 17 football players.
  • 6.1% or 3 in 50 baseball players.
  • 11% of boy's ice hockey players.
  • 5.5% or less than 3 in 50 of boy's soccer players.
  • Statistics on other sports are not available.

So what do these numbers mean? First, they demonstrate just how competitive it is to play in the NCAA (and we haven't even started talking about scholarships). Second, unless you are a blue chip athlete, and by that I mean a nationally ranked athlete, you will not have college coaches knocking down your door with offers. From the coach's perspective, it's a buyer's market - there are more athletes than available roster spots.

Now here is the million dollar question; what do many of the athletes that got recruited have in common? Several things. First, they positioned themselves by having the grades to meet NCAA standards. Second, they made a commitment to train and bring their game to the next level. Finally, unless they were a blue chip athlete, they aggressively promoted their abilities to college coaches. In other words, instead of waiting to be recruited, they recruited the coach.

How to Recruit the Coach
The first thing to understand is that college sports is a business and recruiting is part of that business. Once you think of it in business terms you can begin to realize the importance of marketing yourself to college coaches. When you get right down to it, your athletic ability is a product and what is at stake is a full or partial scholarship potentially worth tens of thousands of dollars.

Getting recruited requires a lot of work on the part of athletes and their parents. Understanding the process and rules will help you save time and money and is critical to running an effective recruiting campaign. Here are ways to effectively promote yourself to college coaches:

  • Communicate at all levels of the organization. It is important to establish a relationship with the head coach as well as the recruiting coordinator and assistant coaches. Coaching positions change often and you want to maintain continuity.

  • Use email to communicate. Coaches prefer to communicate with recruits and prospects via email. It is one of the best ways for underclassmen to communicate with the coaching staff as it is convenient for everyone and coaches can reply to your email. While underclassmen are free to call coaches, coaches cannot return phone calls to prospects or their parents. They can, however, reply to email.

  • Maintain frequent communication with your target coaches. Had a great game against a tough opponent? Won an academic award or had a great academic quarter? Received athletic recognition? Make sure you keep your coaches up to date with an email or copy of a news article.

  • Maintain your electronic profile/website. Provide coaches with a single point of reference to get information about you and stay up to date with your season.

  • Send your video. Coaches are most interested in athleticism and mechanics and a skills video is the best way for coaches to assess your ability. Keep your video to 3 minutes, and highlight your best stuff within the first 30 - 60 seconds. Make sure to edit out misses cues, providing coaches with a quick pace of information. Forget the flash, fancy graphics and music - just keep it simple. Game footage is ok as long as it is done professionally and limited to a few edited highlights. Start by sending a skills video and then follow up with game highlights during your season.

  • Send coaches your schedule. Coaches can't see you if they don't know where and when you'll be competing.

  • Go where the coaches are. Get to combines, tournaments and showcases where coaches will be instructing or observing. Click here for a list of camps and showcases.

  • Pre-sell yourself. If you are participating in an event that college coaches attend, get a list of coaches that attended in the past and email them a copy of your profile/weblink and let them know you will be there competing. Why go to an event hoping to get noticed? Get noticed before you get there.

  • Get coaches to your events. Let's say you live in Ohio and you will be competing in an event in North Carolina. Find out what colleges are in the area (within 2 hours), provide them with your information and let them know you'll be there. If you are going to be there for several days, arrange for a college visit and meet the coaching staff.

  • Don't be afraid to pick up the phone and call the coach. Rule #1, coaches want to talk with recruits, not their parents. Rule #2, if the parent must call, avoid the temptation of telling the coach what a great athlete your son or daughter is. Instead, focus on the intangibles: committed, great work ethic, disiplined, etc. Their athleticism will speak for itself.

  • Respond quickly to requests for more information and follow up. As obvious as that sounds, coaches have complained to me about the lack of follow through by recruits. It gives the impression that you are not interested and coaches will move quickly on to the next prospect.

  • Have your coach follow up with colleges. If you get a letter of interest from college coaches, have your coach follow up with a phone call to the head coach. Additionally, ask your coach if he has any college contacts and if so could he help you. Your coach is a vital component of your recruiting campaign and can be a great resource.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Creating Excellence: Don't Set the Bar...Be the Bar!!




Life is not an accident. We are a creation of what we know and what we see. We tend to emulate those around us don't we? Those we admire and think highly of. Even more so we tend to rise to the level of the people around us. It really does not matter if it is Football or Family......Career or Academics....Charitable or Entertainment....we all live what we see and become what we know.

If you are a kid and grow up around crime and brutality.... history tells us you may reflect that in your life. If you are rich and grow up with lavish excess and everything you want... history tells us that you are going to expect the world to be dished up to you on a platter.
We become what we see and what we are taught. We will behave like that which is around us and we will only rise as high as the competition we see. To a great extent this is true with all of us.

While it will never define us... it can shape us. It can influence the decisions we make...the dreams we dream....the expectations we have in our lives. It can put limits on us and blinders too. This must never be allowed to happen!

If you can make the difference in one young persons life you must. If you can teach one person that they can do anything they desire...you must. Call it Pay It Forward or what ever you want...but you owe it to yourself and to the world to do just that!

Don't make it about money, or personal glory, or Fame, or anything else. Make it about one special young person or more than one if you can. I promise you if you do this it will be revisited upon you 100 times over. Put your heart and your soul into it. Take the time to help. Give advice, Give money if you feel the need, Give your time...must mostly give of yourself.

Give You...the real you...the you that had the dreams when you were young...the you that looked out at a thousand stars on a perfect night and said "what if?". Give that You to somebody in need.

Build the Dream in somebody else. Never say "NO!". Never say "You Can't" or "You Won't". Say rather "Yes!", "You Can!" and "You Will!". Light the flame in another and by doing so rekindle your own.

To those that would crush the Dream or put limits on the young....well... be aware. Some of us out here are watching. We see you. We watch you. And someday we are coming for you. Coming to stop you from causing anymore damage to our future! Bide your time if you will...but cherish it because that is a fleeting thing indeed.

To those that are with us....Set the standard. Not only Set the bar...but strive to be the Bar. Be excellent with all you do. Encourage and expect excellence in those around you.

Love.
Protect.
Build up those around you.
Work hard.
Be diligent.

D R E A M!

If this little guy grows up knowing what others have done to make it.....knowing what it takes to achieve..... expecting to be like those around him... Giving himself to others.... he can and will soar with the Eagles.

So can all of them.... They can all be Eagles!

Create Something good today.
And if you ever loose perspective...Remember these Guys:

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

NIKE COMBINE COMING JUNE 8th to Hillsboro Stadium

You are invited!
NIKE Combine
Portland, Oregon


Dear Athletes:

Congratulations! You are invited to a premier high school football event, the NIKE Combine in Oregon produced by Student Sports. Student Sports has introduced Clinton Portis, Phillip Buchanan and Andre Johnson, to name a few, to the national recruiting scene after Student Sports saw them at the NIKE Football Training Camps. These combines will give you an opportunity to showcase your skills for possible selection for the NIKE Football Training Camps held later in the spring.

WHAT: The NIKE Combine at Hillsboro Stadium is an exclusive event and an opportunity to get SPARQ tested in a professional setting. These combines are FREE of charge.

WHO CAN COME: Top rising seniors to be (Class of 2008) and all underclassmen looking to showcase their skills for possible selection for the NIKE Football Training Camps held later in the spring.

WHEN AND WHERE: Friday, June 8th, 2007 at Hillsboro Stadium in Hillsboro Oregon.

WHAT TO BRING: Bring appropriate workout gear: Shorts, sweats, football cleats and training shoes. You will receive a NIKE Pro participant’s shirt.

COMBINE FORMAT: After a proper, supervised “dynamic warm-up”, you will be tested in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, the bench press (max reps of 185 pounds) and the 20-yard shuttle. With these testing results you will be able to calculate your SPARQ Rating at www.sparqtraining.com to see where you stand with the best in the country.

WHAT IS A SPARQ RATING?: SPARQ stands for Speed, Power, Agility, Reaction and Quickness, the essential tools for superior athletic performance. SPARQ Training is the dynamic training method used at the NIKE Football Training Camps. The SPARQ Rating is a number that identifies overall athletic ability and is used by top coaches and trainers around the nation as an initial indicator of an athlete’s potential on the field.

BENEFITS: This is a great opportunity for your athletes to take advantage of NIKE’s commitment to football, which will give them the opportunity to get tested professionally so that they will have a standard base to improve upon. Additionally, the NCAA recently passed legislation saying that combine testing can no longer take place on Division I campuses. That means there will be NO testing at the NIKE Football Training Camps this year. If your athletes want to get tested, receive a SPARQ Rating and get their numbers in front of the college coaches – which we will do, you MUST attend a NIKE Combine and compete. NCAA Football coaches rely on our certified SPARQ Timing and Testing and the NIKE Combines are the only place you can get those.

There is also an opportunity for great recruiting exposure and coverage. Student Sports, home of the NIKE Football Training Camps and part of the Rivals.com Network, will be at the combines covering the event as well as taking photos and video. In addition the results will be distributed to major college football programs all over the country. Also, a good performance can mean a spot at the NIKE Football Training Camps, which kickoff in April.

We look forward to seeing you at the Oregon NIKE Combine. For a complete list of locations and directions, please visit www.studentsportsfootball.com and click on NIKE Combines.

For any questions, please contact Student Sports (971) 222-1309
Tyler McClaughry x309 or tyler@sparqtraining.com

23954 Madison Street * Torrance, CA 90505 * Tel. 310-791.1142 * Fax 310-791.1140

Tuesday, April 24, 2007












SPARQ TEAM CHALLENGE IN HILLSBORO NETS SOME REAL FINDS:


Basically we had an awesome event and had some great athletes show tehir skills at the Velocity Sports Hillsboro 2007 SPARQ Team Challenge Event. Pictured above is Robert A'toe of the Dalles, Oregon who turned in some impressive numbers for his first SPARQ Event. I officially weighed him and measured him. He was a very solid 6'3 .5" and 327 pounds. This is a young man to watch this year here in Oregon. There were several scores in the High 70's and overall the group that came was very very solid. See results at SparqTraining.com or at http://picasaweb.google.com/dirkknudsen/2007SparqHillsboroVelocityEvent.






Westview Wildcats
2007 core group





Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Derby Camper Ryan Pohl getting ready for His Time at OSU


Beavers looking for depth on offensive line
Oregon State has four returning starters but needs others to step upBy Cliff KirkpatrickGazette-Times reporter
Each spring, Mike Cavanaugh begins his artistry of big men.
That’s when the offensive line coach for the Oregon State football team takes on the challenge of rebuilding the cornerstone of offensive success.He fine-tuned a strong starting group in 2005 and created enough depth to support them through injuries in 2006. For the coming season, he must do all of that at the same time.The Beavers have four returning starters in Jeremy Perry, Kyle DeVan, Roy Schuening and Andy Levitre. The fifth starter should be Tavita Thompson, who has been prepped at left tackle for the coming season for three years.After Thompson, that’s where Cavanaugh must really get to work.“We need to increase the depth in the offense line,” Cavanaugh said. “The group we have can be a good offensive line, as long as we don’t get bit by that complacency disease.”Levitre and Adam Speer have been the line’s super subs the last two seasons. Levitre could fill in for any of the guards or tackles.When Josh Linehan went down with a season-ending injury in the third game last year, Levitre found a home at right tackle. That left only Speer for the coming season as a proven backup at center and either guard positions.“My biggest concern is the tackle,” Cavanaugh said. “Ryan Pohl’s development is important. Pohl is kind of like our Levitre. He’s getting the on-the-job training like Levitre a couple years ago.”Pohl, a redshirt freshman, is learning both tackle positions as the primary backup. He’s a 6-foot-3, 280-pounder from Hawaii. Rivals.com rated him the nation’s 50th-best offensive tackle coming out of Kamehamaha High after the 2005 season.The tackle position’s depth took a hit when Mau Nomani decided to go on his LDS mission in the fall. Coach Mike Riley felt he could challenge Thompson for left tackle.Nomani, from Tigard High, was the third-best prospect in Oregon. He redshirted last season in his first year. When he returns in two years, he will have four years of eligibility left.“We have some guys who are picking up on things and getting better,” Levitre said. “With Mau going on his mission, we are trying to help Ryan Pohl out because we don’t have depth at tackle. I’m helping coach him up on technique.”Junior college transfers Michael Cole and Jon Ioane should join the program in the fall, but will be playing catch-up. They may not be ready until the middle of the season.There’s more depth for interior linemen, starting with Speer. Guard Gregg Peat is ready after two seasons, and junior Marcus Henderson is developing at center.“They are all coming along,” Perry said. “The younger guys haven’t had the opportunity because we (the starters) have been here all the time. They’ve been watching. Now they have to step up fast. And Cav is working them hard.”Beyond them there are four other redshirt freshmen working in the spring. When everyone is here in the fall the Beavers could have up to 17 offensive linemen.However, Riley has made the mandate in recruiting this year to focus on offensive and defensive linemen. Schuening and DeVan graduate after this season, so experience will be gone and depth wiped out again.And the feeling from the Beavers is you can’t have too many linemen.Getting one game-ready takes two to three years, according to Cavanaugh. It’s a process working their hands and feet techniques enough that it’s second-nature. Then there’s all the training in the weight room.“I’m please with the way the kids have worked in the offseason,” Cavanaugh said. “The strength department did a good job, and they are doing what I ask them to do on their own. If they commit to it, they’ll improve. Some of the guys have a lot longer to get good, though.”

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

What can Linemen do to prepare for the upcoming HS Football year in the Pacific NW:

I keep getting this call and questions form players and Parents a like:

What can we do to get ready for the season and maybe get some exposure as well if I want to go on to play in college?

Well great question and it can evoke many answers. Here are my thoughts for Linemen wanting to excel and have the best upcoming year that you can do that will help you:

Get to This Event This week if your Can:
SPARQ TESTING EVENT:
TO ALL Oregon Football Players and Coaches:
This is your first opportunity to get to the First official SPARQ Testing Event of the Year. This is a great time to tune up for the Summer Combine events or to get some practice in. These are official scores and this will be a great opportunity to get tested. Here is the info.
Velocity Sports Hillsboro; Matt James Sports Performance Director 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM Come anytime but Provide 30 minutes for your testing Any Athlete that is going into 10th, 11th, or 12th grade is welcome No Cost Free SPARQ Shoe Bags to all Athletes 1 SPARQ Training Kit for each Team bringing 20 athletes or more Individuals or Teams welcome Call Velocity Sports Hillsboro and Register: 503-615-4228

Also:

#1: Train hard. Now is the time. Not when the season starts. Get in game shape before pre-season and bring your team the best player you can be when the season starts. This includes Diet (NO POP), Training with proper weight regimen and SAQ work, Proper rest too!!

#2: School. make sure your credits are taken care of. Keep your GPA up and maintain the best average you can. 3.0 or better will likely be required to get to a good college. Do not slack off. Make this a priority.

#3: Attend your teams Summer Camp and Weight Room events. This is just very very important. You need to be able to work with your Coaches and teammates in whatever they are doing.

#4: Get to speed and Agility Camps like Velocity Sports or Competitive Edge.

#5: Attend a SPARQ Event. There are some coming up in Oregon and Washington this Spring and Summer. understand how this stuff works as it is becoming more and more a part of what is used out there for recruitment. Certainly not the only thing but can be very important. check out www.sparqtraining.com or contact me for the events and dates some of which are listed here.

#6: Get to a Summer Camp. For Linemen the Brian Derby Camp is great but is cancelled this year: back in 2008. Get to this camp if you can. You can work with up to 15 college coaches and it is an awesome camp: Both sides of the ball too: No other camp can offer you this. Western Oregon Line of Scrimmage camp: http://www.wou.edu/~bowmant/los.htm Get There!

#7: Some combines. You will need an invite. These are the best events in the NW. There are a lot of small ones but these are the best events:


http://www.gottheedge.com/



Features Subhead Get to University of Oregon on June 9th for the NIKE NTSC Clinic: Check with a coach or me. Invite Only. There will also be an event in Oregon on June 8 to get officially tested in a SPARQ Rating. These events are the very best.

And also a good workout and some very good coaching and showcase events this Spring and Summer:

http://www.airattackfootball.com/frameset.php

#8: Get some press coverage: Rivals.com and Scout.com have some opportunities to help get your story out. this is typically reserved for players who have gained some notoriety but you ever know who is gonna show up big! The combine events can be a big help in getting this to happen. You can contact me for more info on this and I might be able to assist you in this regard.

#9: Get your Game films and Resume together. Coaches need raw film: 2 Games against quality opponents. Also your Academic info and your stats and SPARQ info etc. Any All League info etc. Map out a plan with your family and coaches. If you apply yourself and train hard you have a chance to make it to a collegiate program! Be realistic as to where you project and where you can fit in. Locate some schols with curriculum you desire and contact them and make an introduction and express interest.

Football People are some of the best people you will ever work with. There are some Donkeys out there but most have a big heart for the game and will help out wherever they can.


These are a few ideas based on what has worked for players we have helped. Maybe not everything you can do but a pretty good start for sure!

Best wishes to all you guys. Call me anytime to discuss how I can help or questions you may have: 503-799-8383.

--
Dirk T Knudsen
President
Re\max Metro:
#1 ranked Sales Team in Portland: 2006
Re\Max Hall of Fame
503-799-8383 (Cell)
www.theknudsens.com
www.derbycamp.com

NIKE SPARQ EVENT SET FOR HILLSBORO










April 20th, 2007
SPARQ TESTING EVENT:
TO ALL Oregon Football Players and Coaches:
This is your first opportunity to get to the First official SPARQ Testing Event of the Year. This is a great time to tune up for the Summer Combine events or to get some practice in. These are official scores and this will be a great opportunity to get tested. Here is the info.
Velocity Sports Hillsboro; Matt James Sports Performance Director
4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Come anytime but Provide 30 minutes for your testing
Any Athlete that is going into 10th, 11th, or 12th grade is welcome
No Cost
Free SPARQ Shoe Bags to all Athletes
1 SPARQ Training Kit for each Team bringing 20 athletes or more
Individuals or Teams welcome
Call Velocity Sports Hillsboro and Register: 503-615-4228

Do you have what it takes? NIKE and SPARQ are conducting a team competition across the Nation for High School Football teams to find out who really has the best athletes! All teams that compete will receive a Team SPARQ Rating based on the performance of their top five athletes (every athlete tested will receive a SPARQ Rating and the top five ratings will make up the teams average). Each qualifying team will also receive a SPARQ Training Development Kit to add to their training arsenal. The Team SPARQ Rating will consist of components measuring Speed, Power, Agility, Reaction and Quickness.



The Football SPARQ Testing will consist of:
· 40 Yard Dash
· 185 lb Bench Press
· Vertical Jump
· Shuttle


The Individual and Team SPARQ Ratings will be updated weekly on SPARQTRAINING.com leading up to the naming of a Regional and a National Team Champion!



Every athlete tested will receive a limited edition bag tag and have access to set up a customized SPARQ Athlete page.



Contact Adam Hunt (Adam@QmobileMARKETING.com or
503-319-7459) to schedule an event.




NIKE and SPARQ are committed to rewarding the teams that work and train the hardest, so get your team prepared for the NIKE TEAM SPARQ CHALLENGE 2006 and compete to be the top team in the country!

Friday, March 16, 2007

I WOULD RATHER SPEND 1 DAY WITH THE LIONS THAN 1000 DAYS WITH THE SHEEP!


Glanville's life turned by Iraq visit

Wednesday, March 07, 2007
The Oregonian

Brian Meehan: Glanville phones loved ones of U.S. soldiers

Like some character out of a Joseph Conrad novel, Jerry Glanville journeyed almost 7,000 miles from his suburban Atlanta home to the deserts of the Mideast to find his second calling as a football coach.

And the message was delivered by thousands of young- American soldiers.

In March 2004, Glanville had not coached an NFL game in 11 years. It had been 30 years since he coached in college. Portland State's new head coach had a jaundiced view of a younger generation that favored baggy jeans, earrings and hip-hop music.

But this would change during a weeklong tour of U.S. bases in Kuwait and Iraq. Glanville joined a group of NFL alumni that included Deacon Jones, Bud Grant and Randy Gradishar.

"I think it changed everybody's life," Glanville said Tuesday. "Deacon Jones said for the first time in his life, he knew what terror was."

Fate is inscrutable. If not for a random seat pairing on a Tampa-to-Los Angeles flight, Glanville might never have returned to college coaching in Hawaii or become Portland State's 12th football coach.

Ray Carolin, a former Secret Service agent and treasurer of the Arizona chapter of the NFL alumni, was on that flight. He talked for hours with his seatmate, an Army officer dressed in civilian clothes. The officer asked Carolin if he could assemble an NFL group to visit soldiers in the Mideast. The two shook hands at baggage claim and went their separate ways.

Only later did Carolin realize who his seatmate was: Gen. Tommy Franks, leader of the 2003 invasion of Iraq and commander-in-chief of the U.S. occupation forces.

A year later, Franks invited Carolin to bring over a group; Glanville was among those who quickly accepted.

The footballers got a quick introduction to dangerous Iraq when their C130 executed a spiral landing into Baghdad to avoid missile fire. The plane dropped from 20,000 feet in terribly banked turns until it landed hard on the runway.

"It is like falling out of a 10-story building," Glanville said.

The group visited with troops in the Green Zone, the fortified area of Central Baghdad. They dressed in steel helmets and body armor and signed autographs for Navy Seals, soldiers in the Army's 1st Cavalry Division out of Fort Hood, Texas, and National Guard personnel from Minnesota and the Dakotas.

Soon, Glanville began to think it was he who should be collecting their autographs.

Riding in a Humvee caravan on a lonely road that pierces the desert between Kuwait and Iraq, Glanville read words that changed his life. They were written on the wall of the last latrine along this treeless sand anvil.

"I would rather live one day with the lions than 1,000 days with the lambs. Signed: The American soldier."

"We were over there to help boost their morale, but it was the 19-year-olds of today who gave us the right morale," Glanville said.

Glanville filled a book with names of soldiers. He asked they include the phone number of a loved one. When Glanville returned home, he spent weeks phoning family members to tell them that their son, husband, wife, daughter was doing just fine. Glanville made 70 calls a day until he got through the thousands of numbers he had collected.

The goodwill trip turned more harrowing than any football game ever had been.

One day in Baghdad, Glanville ran into a CIA agent who had been an academic coach when Glanville was a graduate assistant at Western Kentucky. The man invited the group to dine with him outside the heavily patrolled Green Zone.

The Army wouldn't send guards so Glanville's friend sent several vehicles. The vehicles, manned by Kurdish guards, roared at high speeds, six feet apart, weaving a serpentine pattern down the "highway of death."

When they arrived, there were 14 machine gunners on the roof the 18-story Palestine Hotel. Glanville and company were urged to sprint for the doors. Once inside, the Kurds lined up vehicles in front of the main entrance to deflect any suicide bomber.

While Baghdad is dry, the host laid out beer and liquor.

"All of us were consuming heavily," Carolin said, "because we knew we'd have to drive back to the base on that highway of death."

Huddled on the floor of a battered Toyota, Glanville and Carolin were scared during the ride back. Glanville said to Carolin, "If we are lucky enough to get out of here, I'm going to go back to coaching in college."

The next fall, Glanville became June Jones' defensive coordinator at Hawaii. Last week, the 65-year-old took over the Vikings' program. And it's all because of what 19-year-olds taught him in the Iraqi desert -- that his life is enriched in the presence of young people.

"I used to think, like a lot of old guys, 'Who is going to run the country when we're dead,' " Glanville said. "Well, I found about 5,000 young people and I am not going to worry for one minute more about the future. They can do everything better than me."

Welcome to Portland Jerry!

Big Bad Back!!

Big Bad Back!!
Brian Derby Camp 2006: Oregon

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