2002 All Shore Players Diaries CM

Today was a great day. It was a huge step forward from the weekend. The defense is usually beating on the offense but we had a full pads all-hitting scrimmage and it was pretty intense. The defense was smacking people and the offensive line was coming off the ball. Guys were fired up and offense was doing a nice job moving the ball. We really came together and are getting our plays down.

Its pretty cool to see how everyone on the team is an all-star but no one’s out there playing for themselves. The way everyone has come together over a span of three days is just awesome. It just goes to show you how great football is. Everyone came as an individual, but we are turning into a team.

There are a lot of experienced coaches and they really know what they’re doing. With the type of caliber players that we have and the type of coaches, it’s going to be an awesome game.

Tuesday, July 16

We had lunch at the Outback Steakhouse (Middletown) today and that was a lot of fun. We have an award – the Chocolate Thunder Award – which is the biggest hit award, and that went to linebacker Anthony Hubbert of Freehold. We had a lot of fun eating and hanging out together and we’re having a blast right now.

Practice went great today. We really started to pick up the intensity a little bit. We threw the ball a bit more and we’re starting to complete a lot of passes. The quarterbacks and receivers are getting their timing down which is great. Right now we’re just sharpening our skills and getting ready.

We’re about to peak - you can feel it. We’re having fun, but at the same time we want to win. We’re fired up for Ocean on Friday night. It’s just been a great experience and I hope that the younger players that work hard will have an opportunity to play in this game someday.

Wednesday, July 17

Today we were winding down, we were in full pads and we did a little bit of hitting, and it was just a great day. We did some offense and defense, 7 on 7, skelly, and kick return and punt return and we kind of did situational game stuff. We had a lot of fun. I think that’s one of the keys, is that we’re having a lot of fun throughout this whole thing, all the while working hard and being competitive.

We got our jerseys today which was a blast. Our jerseys are sharp – they have real nice American flag colors. They’re really nice jerseys, something that everyone will want to hang on to and show their kids someday.

Thursday, July 18

Everyone looked sharp today. Being at this point here we are really just getting mentally ready. That’s our focus right now. Everyone’s head is in it, we’re mentally sharp and we really want to win. It’s been a great week.

It’s an honor and a privilege to play in this game. Every football player that plays in the Shore Conference sets a goal to play in this game, and it’s been a lot of fun. I can honestly say that I feel privileged to be here with these great guys and coaches.

Overall we just can’t wait until Friday night. Its going to be a lot of fun and we're really looking forward to it. We want to win and we’re fired up.

Sunday, July 21 - Post Game

The entire All Shore Classic experience was a blast, a great time, and I would tell any kid who loves football to work as hard as they can to play in that game because it’s really one of the best experiences you can have. Unfortunately we lost the game, and I’m a guy that hates to lose, but in retrospect it was all about the relationships, the camaraderie and the team’s ability to come together as one.

In the end I think what mattered really more than winning or losing is that I can honestly say that I had a blast. It was all about putting aside the egos, and it was big-time fun playing on the same team with your rivals. It was just an honor to participate in this game and I feel fortunate to have been a part of it.