First off I was to congratulate Clarkson North on a great game last night. They are as advertised (which we knew). They are the best program in Canada and the only Canadian school that plays a National Schedule in the USA. They have only been around 6 years or so. This is first year of new HC. He was previously the Coach of The Toronto Argonauts of the CFL. They are the IMG of Canada and are as advertised.
About OUR TEAM now. I can’t tell you how proud I am of our young men and program. The direction this program is heading is undeniable. Coach always says the goal on the field is
s and to be THE BEST SMALL SCHOOL PROGRAM in the country. I believe those goals are all clearly in sight. Last night, I watched our kids lay it on the line for IRONTON and Southern Ohio. We were giving up a Foot in height and 150lbs in many spots across the DL. They had no one play both ways and rotated a bunch of bodies at every position. They were the Biggest HS Football team I had ever seen. Avg. 6’5 294 across the front and they were all every bit of that. They had great athletes with several having D1 offers. Our kids never wavered. They embrace those challenges and love to play in those environments. When we say Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere we stand on it. We have the upmost confidence in our kids and program that we can play with ANYONE. Yesterday was an eventful day to say the least. With time changes, the Roof to the stadium being partially blown off and lifted from the structure to the Locker room being completely flooded to completely switching venues and pulling it off in 2.5 hours. If that doesn’t tell you that we mean what we say than nothing will. We carry that we will play in the parking lot if we have to mentality everyday. Back to last night. As the Defensive Coordinator. I completely agreed with going for 2 and the win. We are going to bet on our young men every time in that situation. Midway through 3rd Qtr. Coach Pendleton was walking up sideline and said if it’s 1 score game late. We are going for the WIN. He asked the kids/staff their thoughts late in the game. Everyone 100000% agreed. Let’s WIN it now. The Ball didn’t bounce our way at times last night and especially at the of the game but if done over again we would DO IT AGAIN. As a former player and now coach. Who wouldn’t want to play for someone that believes in his kids that much. Willing to risk an undefeated record to win a game against a National program. It takes GUTS to make that call and stand on it. I’m not a morale victory guy and don’t want to talk to ppl anytime after a loss. But the way our Young men play the game and the toughness and grit they show is admirable. The staff at Clarkson North has played literally played almost every major program in East coast the last 6 years and they came up to us outside the locker room last night and said coach. Your young men play harder and with more discipline than any team we have ever faced. “They are the standard on EFFORT, TOUGHNESS and DISCIPLINE”. As a coach I am proud to hear they earned respect nationally last night.
THERE IS NOT ANOTHER PROGRAM WITHIN 100 MILES WILLING TO PLAY A TEAM LIKE THAT or a schedule like ours. (The Standard is the Standard)
Lastly, thank you to Green Local School District for being such great hosts and accommodating us on such short notice. The administraton/ game day crew was first class and did an excellent job. Fighting Tiger Nation and all of SEO packed the stadium and made it a great environment for high level HS Football. THANK YOU again for the support.
ANYONE, ANYWHERE, ANYTIME
#EliteCulture
On to Pikeville!
~ Jarrod Pendleton
Man what a ball game. This L was worth a million ovc wins. Ironton got even better tonight and is a bonafide D5 juggernaut in Ohio. Pikeville is about to run into a BUZZ SAW. lol