Saturday (Dec. 18)
It was game time and nerves were going all through my stomach. I woke up around 7:00 am but laid in bed and thinking about the game. This was my last game wearing a Saint Francis helmet (although it did have some additional stickers on it from other teams).

We checked out of the hotel at 8:30 am and went for the pre-game meal at Logan's Grill. They served us cheeseburgers which was good but different at the same time. We arrived at the stadium around 10:50 am, had some individual warm-ups and then had team photos at noon. The game started at 1 pm. The north scored on our first drive. The south eventually had a field goal in the 1^st quarter making the score 7 -3. That was also the final score. We (the north) probably could have had two more touchdowns but there were both passes were intercepted in the end zone.

There was also a blocked field goal. Overall, I had one catch for five yards and my blocking was really good.
Overall, I am really happy with the experience and was able to meet a lot of good people from both teams. One of my teammates, CJ Martin, a linebacker from Holy Cross, is the cousin of fellow Red Flash Anthony Howze (Upper Marlboro, Md./Riverdale Baptist).

I am thankful for the opportunity and would hope that future Red Flash seniors get the chance to participate and experience this level of football. I am also – not so secretly – hoping that I was able to impress at least one NFL scout.

Finally, as my last “official” act as a member of the Red Flash, I would like to thank my coaching staff for all the time that they devote to the team. Coach Villarial, keep it up, your background, knowledge, enthusiasm will go a long way. Coaches DelSardo, Charbonneau, and Mock thanks for the game planning, individual help and encouragement. Special thanks to my position coach Blair Grover. You showed me how to prepare, to not be satisfied with my current level of play, and how to compete.

Good Luck in 2012. Go Flash!


Friday (Dec. 17)
Friday's practices were pretty easy and were mostly walkthroughs. The coach said that he thought we were a little sore from Thursday practice and wanted us to be ready to perform in front of the scouts on Saturday. Although he did mention that he wanted to play golf in the afternoon (I think he said that he shot an 84). After the second practice we had some down time until the banquet that started at 7:00 pm. I was able to spend some time with my family.

The banquet was located in the convention center's large hall. The food was pretty good. While they were serving food, the directors showed everyone a slideshow of all the players that were playing in the game. After the meal, we were presented with our game jerseys as we introduced ourselves at the podium.

Thursday (Dec. 16) 

The first two practices are in the books. Felt a little rusty but overall I had two pretty good practices. The morning practice was more of a walk thru trying to get the plays down, making sure we knew who to block or what routes to run. The second practice was a little more involved. After group warm ups, we worked on some general position drills, then ran some patterns in one-on-one's against the south linebackers. Later we ran 7-on-7's against the south team and finished up with some special teams work.

Between practices we have been getting our meals at a local church hall, lunch today was South Carolina barbeque (Good!). Can't wait for supper, getting on the bus at 6:30 pm.

 Wednesday (Dec. 15)

While on the plane to Myrtle Beach heading to the FCS Senior Bowl I was able to meet Brandon Lainhart from Cornell and Ricky Otis from Holy Cross. They both are linebackers for the north team. We arrived at the Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center hotel around 2:15 pm. During and after check-in I was able to meet most of the others players from the NEC (Logan Miles, Brad Rodgers, and Anthony Coleman from Robert Morris), (Ian Simon from Monmouth), (Kyle O'Keefe, Herb Glass, and Eddie Delaney from Albany).

Today was mostly laid back. After check-in a few of us walked around enjoying the sunny 75 degree weather (just like back in Loretto.?.?.?).

Both teams had a meet and greet at 7:00 pm, then separate meetings for the north and south offenses and defenses.  Curfew was midnight.