It's been a while

So, I haven't kept up with the blog lately, but my schedule has been super crazy. I guess I should catch everyone up, and post some pictures. :)

My football boys have BROUGHT THE HAMMER. They're doing great, and I think they've set the standard for the rest of the season. I'm so proud of them, as I always am. I do have a few words of encouragement for the guys as the Homecoming game approaches, so here it goes....

Y'ALL CAN DO THIS. Bring the Hammer!
...and that's really all I have to say.

Here are some pictures :) Have fun at Homecoming everyone!

Spotlight: Anthony Gagliano

Anthony Gagliano-#30

Senior-Defensive Back

"We play as a unit, 11 different guys, 11 different positions, all working together to achieve the same goal...Win. HTD. FSU. WMD. BTH. It's what we do."

Q: Who has been your biggest inspiration and why?
A: Other than my parents, I'd have to say Matt Partridge, Chad Phillips, Coach Partridge, and the rest of my HTD FAMILY. Everyday, no matter how hot or how tired we may be they're always there pushing me and making me better.


Q: What do you think it is about Hewitt that makes football season such a special time?
A: Definitely the fans! We have the best student section in the state no doubt, and there's just nothing that compares to the atmosphere of a Friday night at Jack Wood. I get chills every time I think about it.




Q: What do you look most forward to during the season?
A: That indescribable feeling I get when I'm on the field with 10 of my closest brothers working together as a unit to achieve the same goal in front of 10,000 fans screaming to the top of their lungs and bands playing on both sides of the field.




Q: What do you do as a hobby or other than football?
A: I love hanging out with my friends playing xbox or just chillin', I love to be around my friends, they mean the world to me...and I guess I like to hang with my girl every now and then too...




Q: If you could be known for one thing what would it be?
A: I want to be known for bringing the freakin' hammer!




Q: What's your favorite quote?
A: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified or afraid because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." I love this verse, because not only is it inspirational to an athlete, it helps me in my life knowing that no matter what I may face, my God is with me.




Q: What motivates you on gameday?
A: Coach P's speeches are definitely a big motivation, then just the whole process of getting ready in the locker room with my boys.




Q: If you were to have another position on the football team, what would you want it to be?A:  I would want to be the Noseguard... got to stay on the defensive side, and I don't know why, but Battles, you just make it look so stinkin' fun!


Q: What memory will you never forget from being on this team?
A: Oh man.. all of them, there's nothing like the memories I have made with these guys, but here are just a few of my favorites: tackle circuit in Academy, Neighborhood, and I'll never forget and I will do everything in my power to never let this happen again, that feeling I felt as the clock hit "0:00" on the night we lost to Clay in the playoffs last season.




Q: If you could say one thing to all of the fans, what would it be?
A:  Thanks for being the BEST fan base in the state, keep it up and  be louder, more obnoxious, and crazier than ever, I know you won't disappoint! Thank you. MUSH! 

I'm still one proud MUSHographer!!

Whether my guys win or lose, they'll always be winners in my heart. I know that sounds so cliche, but seriously...I've seen these guys go through blood, sweat, and tears to get where they are. Being defeated by one team will never take away what they've worked for, and what they've gone through. I've been there with them in 100+ degree weather, and they're having the best time doing what they do best regardless of the hot temperatures or cold temperatures for that matter. I'll always be there to pat them on the back and let them know that they played a great game, whether they won or lost the game. I know that starting tomorrow, they'll work harder than they ever have, just to get ready for the game on Friday. As much as it hurts me to see them upset over the outcome of a game, I have to be there to motivate them to "go get 'em" next week. This is one bump in a long road to the end of the season. Being defeated can't take away the people who support y'all the most. This community believes in y'all more than y'all know. I will always be proud to say "MUSH!" and like I always say...I'll always love my football boys!

To "my" football guys

As everyone's getting worked up for the game tomorrow, I hope y'all remember what the point of this game is. It's everything y'all have worked for. It's what y'all have been talking about-y'all need to go out and leave it all on the field. This is your time to shine, especially the Seniors. It's your time to show Clay and Trussville what kind of family y'all are, and most importantly, what you've been working toward. I've seen y'all go through blood, sweat, and tears to get where y'all are, and I'm already so proud of y'all. Y'all will always be champions in my heart. But the 8,000+ people that will be at the stadium haven't witnessed what I've been able to witness. This is your time to show both cities that y'all are "all working together for one common goal." This is your chance to prove everyone wrong. You've already made me proud, so go make the rest of the town proud tomorrow night! I know y'all can do this! I love y'all! MUSH!

Spotlight: Justin Woods

Justin Woods-#13

Senior-Defensive Back

" I expect us to focus on the game in front of us not the games in the future and succeed."

Q: Who has been your biggest inspiration and why?
A: Tim Tebow. First because he's a pure athlete and one of the greatest players in the game. He has all the fame in the world but he allows all his glory to go to God. I really like how he balances the game he loves with being an icon for Christ.

Q: What do you look most forward to during the season?
A: Just being out of the field with those guys and growing closer as a family. To work together as a unit for one common goal.

Q: What do you do as a hobby or other than football?
A:  I really enjoy spending time with my friends and family because they mean the world to me.

Q: What's your favorite quote?
A:  "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. Because it's saying that you're going to face hard times but have faith and trust in God because he has overcome all these things.


Q: What memory will you never forget from being on this team?
A: All the time spent with this team not just on the field, but working out with them in the off seasons and all the time we all spent together on dinners and get togethers. It's a really special family bond.


Q: What motivates you on gameday?
A:  The fans. And of course Coach Partridge's pregame speech. That get's the whole defense going.


Q: If you were to have another position on the football team, what would you want it to be?A: If I had to choose anything besides Safety I guess Quarterback. Just seems fun.


Q: If you could be known for one thing what would it be?
A:   Being someone who stood for more than just what everybody else did. To be a leader on and off the field.



Q: What do you think it is about Hewitt that makes football season such a special time?
A:  The atmosphere. The South is huge on football and at Hewitt it's a way of life. From the parents to the students to the players everyone loves high school football. How could you not?

 

Q: If you could say one thing to all of the fans, what would it be?

A: Keep doing what you're doing. It's so awesome for us to hear ya'll cheering so loud and getting crazy for the football team. Oh and MUSH!

First Publication of the season: August 25, 2011

My first publication in The Trussville Tribune was a picture of Colby Cryer's game-winning field goal at the Jamboree against Pinson.

Check out The Trussville Tribune's Facebook page here!

Check out The Trussville Tribune website here!

Check out pictures from the Jamboree game here!

Check out this article here!

Spotlight: Zach Battles

Zach Battles-#51

Senior-Nose Guard

"We are bringing the freaking Hammer, no matter who is in the way."

Q: Who has been your biggest inspiration and why?
A: My biggest inspiration is Anthony Robles. He is the prime example of it's not how good of cards you get dealt but how well you play them. He won a national title in D1 wrestling with being born with only one leg. Everything is possible with God.

Q: What do you think it is about Hewitt that makes football season such a special time?
A:  What makes HT football so special is that we are one big family. Everybody knows everybody. After every game my parents tell me they saw "so and so." Trussville is one big community where everybody knows everybody and it has that family bond on Friday nights. I wouldn't change it for the world.

Q: What do you look most forward to during the season?
A: I look foward to every Friday night. The feeling you get when the HT is on your chest, lights are on, band is playing, stands are full, and 120 brothers beside you. Nothing can describe it.

Q: What do you do as a hobby or other than football?
A: Other than football, I hang with my friends, workout, play video games, and just enjoy life.

Q: If you could be known for one thing what would it be?
A:  If I could be known for one thing, it would be being the athlete that loved everybody and loved Jesus. "He was always smiling, but when he had pads on he was no joke."

Q: What's your favorite quote?
A: "Hate to lose more then you love to win."

Q: What motivates you on gameday?
A: A few things motivate me on gameday: not letting my brothers, family, and coaches down. Seeing the Dog Pound full and crazy makes me want to play even more, and seeing 3 of my best friends that are fellow seniors out makes me wanna play for them.

Q: If you were to have another position on the football team, what would you want it to be?A: If I could play another position, it would have to be QB. Yeah, they get killed and beat up, but they get all the glory and fame. Everybody loves the QB (Carr Tigner).

Q: What memory will you never forget from being on this team?
A: I'll never forget the memories and time I have spent with the guys. All the cutting up, shabooyas, pranks, workouts, pracitces, blood, sweat, and tears we have shed together. There is nothing in life that compares to a band of brothers like this. I LOVE every one of those guys and I owe them a HUGE thank you for everything.

Q: If you could say one thing to all of the fans, what would it be?

A: This is actually my favorite question.. The fans are one thing I'll always remember about Hewitt. They don't realize how much I and the team love them. They are better than Alabama fans, Auburn fans, Hoover fans, Clay fans, THEY ARE THE BEST. I cant thank them enough for all they do.
MUSH!