1.) Game Schedules –Freshman
We have nine games scheduled and will pick up two more against league opponents when the varsity is in the playoffs. Our first regular season game will be against Milton in Scituate on Saturday, September 11th at 10:00.
2.) HUDL
An email to sign up for HUDL accounts was recently sent out to student athlete school email addresses ([email protected]). HUDL is a product that allows coaches and athletes to review game footage and that is also where play diagrams/formations/installs are located. We encourage your sons to take a look at HUDL prior to the start of the season.
3.) Athletic Trainer
Our athletic trainer will be Chris Alves. He will be at games and available during practices.
4.) Practice Updates
The freshman season will kick off on Tuesday, August 24th at 4:15 (varsity begins on Friday, August 20th). We will begin by discussing rules, expectations, and academics. This will be followed up by implementing routines, starting with the basics, and then introducing formations/plays. In addition, players will be informed that practice is mandatory. If players are going to miss practice they need to send an email to the coaching staff advising us on why they will be absent. Word of mouth will not be tolerated i.e. one of your son’s friends telling us that he will not be attending. We treat our players as young men and encourage them to take personal responsibility for their actions and team commitments. The goal is for players to advocate for themselves, and understand that there are both positive and negative consequences for how they conduct themselves.
The first three practices will be held in helmets or helmets/shoulder pads. We will distribute pads during the week of August 23rd, we are just awaiting confirmation from Riddell, one of our equipment distributors, on a delivery. I will provide an exact date as we approach our first practice. During week one (August 24th to the 28th) we will be practicing at the following times:
Tuesday – 4:15 to 7:15
Wednesday – 4:15 to 7:15
Thursday – 4:15 to 7:15
Friday – 4:15 to 7:15
Saturday Morning – Time to be announced
5.) Coaches and Roles
John Fitzgerald – Head Coach – [email protected]
Brian Cochran – Offensive Coordinator - [email protected]
Paul Short – Position Coach - [email protected]
Steve Svensen – Position Coach - [email protected]
Tiger Kelley – Position Coach - [email protected]
6.) Helmets & Equipment
· We will try to get players sized and outfitted with a helmet, shoulder pads, and a practice shirt early during the week of 8/23. On Friday, August 27th we will be distributing practice pants and hip/thigh/knee pads. Cleats will be required for outside, and sneakers (not flip flops/boots/shoes) for indoor practices (in the event of very inclement weather).
· While we can provide hip/thigh/knee pads we have had players choose to purchase a pair of seven (7) pad football girdles. You may get girdles online at Dicks, and we have also had great success with Epic Sports. Some of the brands on Epic like McAdams, Champro etc have been making equipment long before Nike, Adidas & UA got in business and are more affordable. If this is of interest to you/your son just make sure you are buying a seven pad girdle as opposed to a five pad. I have attached a link to provide an example. https://football.epicsports.com/prod/93176/index.html
· Game jerseys and pants will be distributed two weeks into the season.
· Students need to furnish their own mouthpieces.
7) COVID Protocols
We will follow guidelines dictated by the district.
8) Physicals/Medical Conditions
Coach Sweeney sent out an email regarding this on Friday, August 13th. If your son has not had a physical and done an impact test yet it would be wise to get this done ASAP. If they have had one they need to get their paperwork to Athletic Director Scott Paine, Chris (trainer), or Michelle Patterson – NOT the main office. In addition, if your child has any medical conditions (asthma/blood sugar issues/allergies etc.) please feel free to share them with me.
9) Communication
I will communicate with players and parents via email. All freshman communication should go through the freshman staff and not Coach Devine. In addition, I am going to have a phone tree in which I will select seven/eight players who I will text to disseminate important information to others on the team.
10) Google Classroom
I have established a Google Classroom page for players on the team. This presently includes a primer for our defense, pass routes, gaps/techniques, and most importantly the student athlete handbook and team rules. I have invited student athletes to this page and the code is mezgtrv.
11) Behavioral Expectations, Academics, Positions & Playing Time
Players will be held to a high standard in terms of behavior and their academics. I will be in regular contact with your son’s teachers, and will be supplying the freshman teachers with a team roster. Your children are ambassadors of the football program and are expected to conduct themselves appropriately. They will show respect to teammates, referees, coaches, teachers, school staff, opposing teams, and fellow students. The team rules and expectations can be found on the Google Classroom page.
The freshman staff has traditionally done a good job ensuring playing time for every player. We understand that this is a developmental year, and we will try to work to develop your son in a way which best contributes to the team and the program. That being said positions or playing time will be the decision of the coaches.
I will reach out again later in the week with updated information. We are looking forward to having a great season. Let's not forget that playing football is fun, and as coaches it is very rewarding to see our former players advance on to the varsity.
Best,
John Fitzgerald
Scituate High School Football
Freshman Coach