This fall marks a brand-new chapter for Ollie and me. After a few years of flag football where he learned the game, built confidence, and showed he was ready for more, he was asked to take a big step up: joining the fourth-grade tackle football team as a third grader… a year earlier than most kids get the chance to do so. It’s a big leap, full of new challenges, harder hits, and a faster pace.
Luckily I have the opportunity to continue coaching Ollie which allows me a front-row seat to the whole experience. That’s equal parts exciting and nerve-wracking, because coaching your own kid means you see every high, every low, and every “Dad, stop embarrassing me” look.
I look forward to watching him develop and being part of a great team!
Season Running Summary
Pre Season Jamboree vs Wallingford and Glastonbury:
What an amazing experience and I’m not sure who was more nervous: the kids for their first hits and tackles or the coaches making sure everyone knew where to line up!
Ollie played really well, helping spring a few big runs with some solid blocking from the slot receiver position. He played safety and corner back on defense and was near the ball on almost every play! He also got a carry and churned out some hard fought yards on his lone run.
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Week 1: vs. Shelton
Tie: 25-25 (0-0-1)
What an amazing debut for the G4 Grizzlies today! Down two touchdowns in the fourth quarter and our defense would make multiple stands to get the ball back to our offense which would intern allow us to come back and tie the game with under two minutes left.
A third defensive stand in the fourth quarter put us in position for the win with under 30 seconds to go! and only a game saving sideline tackle would keep us from putting another six on the board! An absolutely thrilling game from the first whistle to the last!
Oliver was ALL OVER THE FIELD!!! He started at slot receiver, corner back, played on kickoff and was our kick returner!!! He was in on many tackles, laid out a bunch of DBs and ever had a few blocks to help spring big runs and a touchdown! He also had a great kick return hurdling a defender!
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Week 2: Bye
The boys had a week off, but Jakey and Ollie got to join their big brothers of the field as waterboys for the G6 team!
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Week 3: vs. Wallingford
L: 27-0 (0-1-1)
A tough game from start to finish. Ollie had his first big run of the season breaking multiple tackles, a couple “boops” and a sick spin move at the end to pick up a first down on third and 13.
Overall, I was impressed with the team’s fight especially not letting up down big in the fourth quarter! These are the type of games that will pay dividends later in the year and help the boys learn, resiliency and grit.
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Week 4: @ North Haven
L: 7-33 (0-2-1)
Ok, so I thought last week was a tough game from the start… North Haven went up 26-0 half way through the first quarter.
We were desperate and in need of some play making early. What do you do when you need a play?!?? Bring on the “BOOP” Oliver was leaving maroon jerseys in the dust and Night Hawk players’ ankles all over the field!
I am amazed on the sideline watching this kid compete against kids a full grade above him and making plays for his team… but most of all I’m amazed and more proud than I am am amazed of how great of a teammate and leader this kid is!
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Week 5: vs Monroe
L: (0-3-1)
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Week 6: @ Pomperaug
L: 6-22 (0-4-1)
What a tough loss against a team that we should have beaten. The boys are a resilient group and will come back with a vengeance!!! I’m happy that Ollie has made so many great friends on this team. I watch him grow every week. He is the first one to pat a teammate on the head and even when he is on the sidelines he’s standing right next to a coach cheering his team on.
This weekend he gave our starting running back multiple breathers while continuing to gave the group another option and took advantage of his opportunities. He also had another nice kick return when we desperately need a spark! He refuses to come out of the game and when he is on the sideline is begging to go back it!!! I LOVE watching him compete. (PS: the boys looked great in pink!!!)
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Week 7: @ Newtown
L: 6-26 (0-5-1)
Leadership looks like this — Oliver was named Captain by his coaches this week and if being named Captain isn’t enough… he gets to represent his team in Newtown… in front of his family and our friends! (Specifically ODBjr)!!!
We hung in there every down every play. Newtown is a top program in the state and our boys fought hard (fought football fights… Newtown may have fought actual fights!!!) Oliver showed why he was named Captain every down. He was the leader the team looked to to get us hyped and back into the game when we needed it most:
He played (in my humble option) his best defensive game of the season). Had explosive kick returns, stepped up to his coaches’ challenge on defense of setting the edge and making open field tackles. On offense he was his normal self and made smooth cuts and some “boops” in the backfield to get some hard fought yards.
We couldn’t be prouder of the heart and effort he brings to the game. 🏈 #ProudDad #YouthFootball #GoGrizzliesGo #CaptainMindset
Week 8: vs Bristol
W 0-20 (1-5-1)
And there it is! Our first win of the season. Hell, the first win of the boys tackle football journey! … and what a win it was! Pure domination. There was really nothing Bristol could do to move the ball against such a suffocating defensive, or do anything to stop a steamrolling Grizzlies offense!
Oliver played his best all around game! He scored for the first time on a halfback sweep, in which he outran a defensive end, juked two line backers and hit the traditional “Ollie Boop” right across the goal line! (Not sure who was more excited (mom, dad, or Ollie!). It was awesome to celebrate with him and Steph, who was running the chains on the sideline.
Coach did a phenomenal getting our backs rotated in and keeping them fresh. Oliver was running circles around Bulldog defenders and made a few defenders look silly as they tried to tackle him. I’m pretty sure he left quite a few ankles on the field on Sunday.
Defensively, he played an incredibly solid game… containing the outside from his cornerback position, shutting down the opposing wide receivers, which led to our first interception of the season and even was in on multiple tackles.
Knowing he is doing so well individually (especially being a grade below everyone he’s playing with), but more importantly his successes is positively contributing to the team and he is loving cheering on the successes of everyone one of his teammates as well as celebrating a HUGE FIRST WIN!
Sorry Sons: Chronicles of a New Dad 