After a truly tough game from top to bottom, we move on from our first loss and look to get back on track against Grand Ledge.  Let it be know that our kids fought so hard this weekend and definitely deserved to win, but sometimes it's just not in the cards.  We will take everything that we learned over the last week and hopefully get back on the winning track.  All I can say is that our kids are ready to take it to the Comets and show the resiliency that has made me so proud of them all year.  Game time is 1:45pm at Marsh Field in Grand Ledge.  The kids need to be there by 12:45pm.  There are significant traffic detours due to construction, so be sure to leave early. 

Over the next three weeks, we will practice Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30pm till dark in preparation for our trip to the Great Lakes Youth Football Classic.  Practices are mandatory for those that are planning to participate in the tournament.  Remember that every kid is required to be at the registration for the tournament on Friday, November 4 between 6-10pm at the Doubletree Hotel in Holland, MI.  We will meet as a team for registration at 8

4 games in and our kids are still shining as the only undefeated team in East Lansing!!!  The best part about this group of kids is their teamwork.  We have been able to win 4 games and none of our kids have shown any kind of ego about how good their team is.  I really can't say it enough, but I am so proud of these guys.  They have been practicing hard from the very beginning, and it shows on Sundays during the games.  With only 2 weeks of the regular season left we will be practicing even harder to send these kids out for the year on a high note.

Please don't forget about the GLYFC tournament that we are registered for.  I have talked with the event organizer and he has assured us that we will have a game to play on Sunday no matter what, so plan on being in the area Friday evening for registration, Saturday for 2 games, and Sunday for 1 game.  I have been in contact with some of the EL youth basketball coaches, and I'm currently putting together a practice schedule leading up to the tournament.

This Sunday, we will have our toughest test yet, as we take on the DeWitt Panthers at their field.  The game is Dewitt Jr. High School at 1:45pm.  Please get your kids there no later than 12:45pm.

Thanks to all of you for all of your support this season.

-Coach Oney

How about that?  Two games and two victories for our kids!!!  The Holt team that we played last week is a very talented and disciplined football team.  The improvement between weeks one and two in the execution and effort in our team was amazing.  It has been such a pleasure for myself and the other coaches to be able to work with these kids.  Given our lack of size and speed, we have been successful so far by the grit and determination of a great group of kids.  Their resiliency was seen so clear in this last game as we bounced back from a quick deficit to take control of the game and never look back. 

A couple of points going into this weekends game:
1.  This week's game is at HOME against the Lansing Eastern Jr. Quakers at 3:30pm.  We need the kids to be at the warm up field at 2:15, because we will be doing team pictures before warm ups.
2.  Be sure to fill out the online survey regarding the post season tournament.  Our team is officially registered, and we need to start making hotel accommodations ASAP.
3.  Be sure to check all of your equipment to see if there are any repairs that need to be made.  We have some kids that need to get their helmets tightened and repaired.

Here's to another vico

Coming off of a great week of practice by all of the kids really helped us in getting a victory last weekend.  I think that all of the scrimmages that we were able to participate in helped the kids get used to playing at game speed.  They have came so far in such a short period of time, and I couldn't be prouder.  That being said, it's just one game, and we will be facing a very tough and super fast Holt team this Sunday.  Our game is again at 1:45pm at Holt Junior High School.  Please be there no later than 12:45pm.  

On another note, Danny Kaplowitz's father was generous enough to tape our game from this Sunday.  Most of the coaches have watched it, and we saw so many good things from all of the kids.  Many of the kids have asked us if they could watch it as well.  Because of these requests, we will show the tape of the game at 7pm Saturday evening at Coach Hurst's house.  The tape is less than 30 minutes, and we will be done by 8pm.  We will provide some popcorn for the kids to snack on while they watch.  It is NOT MANDATORY for them to come.  We are only doing this, because so many of the kids had asked if they could see it.  I'm not sure how much the cost will be to make copies, but since I'm sure we'll get requests, I will start to look into that.

Coach Hurst Address: 2751 Still Valley Drive, East Lansing.

Again, if any of you have any questions regarding things so far, don't hesitate to contact me.

-Coach Oney
oneymatt@gmail.com
517.993.7954

Welcome everybody to the ELJT 6th Grade regular season kickoff!!!  Our first game of the season is this Sunday at 1:45pm at East Lansing High School's Lynn C. Adams Stadium.  The kids need to be there by 12:45pm.  Our kids have worked their tails off preparing for this moment, and they deserve to have a great crowd cheer them on.  We have been very successful in all of our scrimmages leading up to this point, and I fully expect that these kids will have a lot of fun this Sunday as we face Grand Ledge.  A thank you is definitely in store for all of our coaches and parent representatives that have made this possible so far, and they will all continue to graciously help with any questions or concerns you may have throughout the season. 

A couple of notes:
1. Information regarding the post season tournament will be given on Sunday immediately following our game, so come prepared with any questions you might have.
2. From now on, our practices will be Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 6-8pm.  We will start adjusting the times as it gets darker.

Go Trojans

This week has been a very successful week for our group.  On Monday we competed in the Grand Ledge Game-a-Ramma, where we scrimmaged 2 St. Johns teams and 2 Grand Ledge teams.  Our defense looked amazing as we stifled every offense that we came against.  Our offense scored a bunch of touchdowns and faced off against some big and fast defenses.  We continue to get better on both sides of the ball as we get closer and closer to the games that matter.  Remember that next week's scrimmage against Okemos has been rescheduled for Wednesday evening.  Next week's practice schedule will be as follows:
Tuesday 6-8pm @ MacDonald MS
Wednesday 5:45-8pm @ Chippewa MS in Okemos
Thursday 6-8pm @ MacDonald MS

Next week is the first week that we will implement the attendance policy.  Unapproved absences will result in a reduction of playing time, so I hope to see all kids attending practice on time.

Below is a copy of this year's schedule.  Note that our first game is on Sunday 9/11 at 1:45pm at Lynn C. Adams field adjacent to East Lansing High School.  Players need to arrive to games 1 hour before the start time. 

Enjoy the holiday weekend!!

-Coach Oney

We are halfway through another tough week of practice and the kids have done such a great job.  The effort is really starting to show from the rookies and the vets.  I should mention again that the scrimmage last Thursday was a huge success and our kids fought hard against a big and fast Lansing Steelers team.  A couple of reminders for this next week:

1. Thursday evening we will practice from 5-7pm.  Immediately following practice, the kids will receive their game jerseys and pants.  They will also get weighed with all of their pads on.  Remember that all ball carriers must weigh less than 140 lbs.

2. Friday night at Lynn C. Adams stadium is the opening game for the East Lansing High School varsity football team as they face the visiting Haslett Vikings at 7:00pm.  I strongly urge all of our 6th grade players and parents to come support the team that they will soon play for. 

3. Monday 8/29 is the Game-a-Ramma at Marsh Field in Grand Ledge.  Please be dressed and ready to warm up at 5:15pm.  We will probably scrimmage 4 different teams, which will give us a chance to face many different type of formations and schemes.  

I have never been so proud of a group of kids as I was at last night's scrimmage.  After only 2 days of learning the offense and 20 minutes of the defense, we were able to run 21 different offensive plays, and 8 different defenses containing 6 different blitz packages.  More than that is the effort that was put out by each and every player on our team.  Some of the first year players looked like they had been playing for years.  We still have a long way to go before our first regular season game, so we will continue working hard and teaching more football principles at each and every practice so that we can build on last night's momentum.  Remember that we have 2 more scrimmages coming up 8/29 in Grand Ledge and 9/6 in Okemos. 

-Coach Oney

First off, a round of applause is needed for all of the wonderful help that we received from our coaches, team reps, and parents for putting on such a great event last week at Patriarche Park.  It was great to catch up with our returning families and to meet some of the new families.  The kids have had their pads on for two days now, and they have came a very long way.  We have been able to install most of our offense and our defense will go in at tonight's practice.  I was impressed last week with the timeliness of the kids, but this week hasn't been as good.  I know it's tough, but please try to get your kids to practice on time.  Again, I am willing to help where I can

A few updates to make note of:
1. We will be scrimmaging on Thursday evening during practice at 6pm with the Lansing Steelers in the "Pit" directly next to our practice field.  The kids should try to get there a bit early, so that we can get them stretched and ready for the scrimmage.  We scrimmaged this team last year at this time, and it really helped teach our kids exactly how fast the game is supposed to be played and what it takes to be successful.
2. Once again, we will be playing in the Grand Ledge Game-a-Ramma. The 6th Grade Game-a-Ramma will be held on August 29th from  6:00-8:00 pm at Marsh Field in Grand Ledge. I ask that players be at Marsh Field by 5:15 pm to have adequate time for warm-up.
3. We have also arranged another scrimmage with the Okemos 6th grade team - Okemos has offered to scrimmage us on September 6 at the stadium at Chippewa Middle School.  Players will need to arrive at 5:45, and the scrimmage will begin at 6:15.  We will probably scrimmage for around an hour and a half that evening.
4. We have successfully raised the $300 registration fee for our entrance into the Great Lakes Youth Football Classic that will take place in the Grand Rapids area the weekend of November 5 and 6.  Thanks to all of those that participated in raising the money.  More information about the tournament will be coming shortly.

-Coach Oney

This week has been a tough week for the kids.  We have pushed them to their limits, and they have excelled through all of the pain.  I have been amazed at the attitude of this year's team.  The kids have shown up with a great work ethic and in great shape.  After the last grueling conditioning practice on Thursday, they will all be ready to put the pads on next Monday.  Remember that each kid needs to have a mouthpiece attached to their helmet if they intend on practicing with pads on Monday.  In addition, they will need to have all of their pads and a protective cup.

Don't forget about tomorrow evening's End of Conditioning Celebration/Parents Meeting.  Any questions that the parents might have regarding our team will be addressed at this time.  It will also be a great way to reward the kids for the hard work they have put in this week.  The coaching staff is providing hot dogs and the parent representatives are providing condiments, charcoal, and utensils.  The parent's have been assigned to bring an item based on their last name.  Last names beginning with A-K will bring fruits and veggies, L-Z will bring chip, pretzels, etc.

Lastly, thank you to all of the parents for getting the kids to practice on time this week, it is appreciated by the entire coaching staff.

-Coach Oney