Kick Start December

Sunday December 1^st…..Well the Christmas season is definitely here….All that rain and cold started us off on the right foot I guess…=)….I’m sure the pressing question for all of you….The New Tree is up! It had a complicated manual as well….just like all those toys we tried to assemble Christmas morning….=)

I found this on the City of Hope Website….They have a lot of info that is pertinent to all us of the grey hair persuasion (as well as you youngsters)….=)

What Increases Your Risk of Skin Cancer?

Things that put you at higher risk for getting skin cancer are called risk factors. The main risk factor for developing skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from:

• Sunlight
• Tanning beds
• Sun lamps

Other factors that may contribute to developing skin cancer include:

• Having a history of severe, blistering sunburns
• Having many, or unusual, moles
• Being a blond or redhead, having fair skin that easily freckles or sunburns
• Exposure to large amounts of toxic substances such as paraffin oil, coal tar and arsenic compounds
• Family history of skin cancer
• Previously being diagnosed with skin cancer
• Being older, male
• Having a weakened immune system

People with darker complexions have a much lower risk of most types of skin cancer.

We’ve got to remember that cloud cover still lets those Ultra Violet radiation thru….wear hats…even if not fashionable….=)….and God knows I’m fashionable.

Boy after watching some college games yesterday and a CIF game….the Kicking game is so crucial. If you have a guy…no one pays attention….they take him for granted….but if you don’t….it can Kill you….and everyone knows.

Now kickers, punters and deep snappers are a different breed. They are their own little click. They hang out together during practice trying to hide out from any extra duty….=)

So….to keep the “click” inline I had a TE/Kicking coach. Coach Dennis Haughn was the guy that would keep these guys on point. Dennis kicked for SDSU and his head coach was Don Coryell, so he understood how to get these guys going! Dennis produced some of the best kickers in RHS history, no doubt. We were known for are excellent punters and kickers every year. Dennis knew if you took care of the small details…the big ones would take care of themselves…luck had nothing to do with it! With Dennis and Coach Havard in charge of the special teams….I could sleep easy.

I had one deep snapper that really broke that mold. Doug Haugh could really snap and deep snapping is really an art. Guys in the NFL are making crazy money just because of that athletic ability. But Doug Haugh was also a great FB and TB for me. I’ve mentioned his dad a few times, Coach Kevin Haugh. As a head coach I was always concerned about him getting hurt on offense and thus losing my best long snapper as well….but I just had to commit to Doug being able to get it done. Doug was mister reliable….even late in a game….after toting the rock all nite….when we needed to punt….he’d take off his gloves and give us a pin point snap. He received a scholarship and is still playing, at Division 1 Valparaiso University….deep snapping and at RB….Doug was an all-time Terrier. From a young ball boy to Team Captain….Mister Reliable!

Another guy that broke the mold….I had a kicker, that I recruited off the soccer team, Kessler Heitritter. He could blast the ball! I mean endzone every kick and incredible FG range. But he was a soccer guy, he thought he’d get a yellow card if he hit anyone….=) Once he figured out he could legally hit guys…esp on kickoff team….he became one of our best kick coverage guys. He could run and hit…..His senior year he became our starting free safety as well as kicking. A diamond in the ruff…no doubt.

Well ….I may try to get out and golf today….weather permitting….Talk soon….Jim