Clintwood's Group of Seniors and Their Leadership Role

[Slobber Knocker]

I wrote this on another blog but I will paste it here as well. Just a final observation from me on Clintwood's success this year.

Each week the coaches do their best to prepare the team for an upcoming game. They prepare game plans, speeches, and use every piece of coaching knowledge that they have gained over the years to motivate their players, however, it is not just THEIR job to get the team ready to play. Players learn to become leaders in the locker room to get their teammates prepared as well.
Is a player born with motivational skills? Does one learn it over time? Does everyone have it in them? If one does not have it can one get it, and how DOES one obtain leadership abilities? These are a few of the questions that surrounds the topic of leadership and during the season the word leadership starts to play a key role on a football team. Each team has to discover the answer to these questions because the future success of this team is counting on it.
As the season "drags" on, everyone is feeling the aches and pains which are beginning to add up and the question is are you hurt or injured and can you play through the pain. Practices are starting to become long and tedious and working out is a necessary part of the "game" but the thought of resting the body appears to be way more enticing. It doesnt matter if youre a freshman or a senior because the body was not built for this kind of punishment. However, everyone knows what football is like here in Clintwood and in the LPD and the players on this team knew what they signed up for.
Now some guys like to do the long speech to motivate, some like to yell or intimidate, and others let their actions on the field do the talking. I have my own opinion on which method works the best, but each situation requires a different style to produce the needed results.
Nevertheless I have seen some guys lead their teammates and they would run into a brick wall for them whereas others could not get a thirsty teammate to drink a glass of water if they gave it to them. I believe everyone has the ability to lead their teammates, it is whether they choose to or not, and what type of leadership style they wish to use, is the real question.
Whichever method or however the leaders on the team decide to lead, this years group of seniors stood up and made themselves and their teammates accountable and not let the "distractions" of the season become a distraction or set back in the teams ULTIMATE GOAL. The LPD Championship and returning to the state championship game.
Did they complete their ULTIMATE GOAL....yes. Was it how they wanted it to end? No! But what a hell of a ride. I felt this group of seniors became leaders three years ago and we the fans have witnessed the success of their labor.
"Good leaders are ones that say we could have played better.....Great leaders say we could have played better even though they played the game of their lives!" (I do not remember who told me that!)
Thank you seniors for a great season to remember and letting us know what it once again feels like to have "WAVE PRIDE!"

[Big oop 76]

Absolutely,100% dead on Slobber.This group has been amazing to watch and to be around. I, for one have thrilled seeing Greenwave Pride come back to Clintwood.

I've been waiting to figure out the best thing to say.. I am one of many that was very disappointed with the outcome of Saturdays game. I don't have a horse in the race, but have been part of this new Clintwood Green Wave Football revitaliztion for the past few years. It seems that this bunch of seniors are an ELITE bunch of guys. I know of NO reason for any of them to hang their heads. You can always look back and say all the 'what ifs' you want to, but that doesn't change anything. I do know that Rick Mullins and his staff has produced a SUPER bunch of kids.
My son had the opportunity to experience Coach Mullins coaching skills and it has had a very positive influence in his life.
I just hope the graduating seniors keep their heads up,,, look back on the success they had, and remember NO ONE can take away the precious memories they have had as a TEAM.
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, some few years ago.. and I do not have the words to explain the positive influence h