The Time is Now! 9-2-10

Wow! Where has time gone? The 2010 season begins in 2 days and I have not even written an update before the season starts. I guess I should have set a reminder on my calendar! I really did have somewhat of an excuse since we sold our home in San Antonio at the end of July. Packing and moving in a 2 week span is a very difficult task, but worthwhile. We have relocated to Fairview, TX. Where in the world is Fairview you say? If you are familiar with North Dallas, Fairview is a spot on the map on the east side of 75 between Allen and McKinney. It is just an awesome area! We have finally settled in and are ready for the season to begin. Matt has had an awesome summer. He spent some time this summer helping Josh Scobee with his football camp and Chris Boniol with his week-long developmental kicking camp. Some of the kids from Josh's camp were from the Shreveport area and have stayed in contact with Matt over the summer. Matt told them he would help them with their kicking game anyway he could. Matt, Solomon Randle, Myke Compton, Chandler Spence and Tank Calais helped Dawgmatic at the year end annual picnic for the Hico Elementary School 5th graders. The guys helped with the games and signed autographs. I think the kids were pretty excited that they came to help and fun was had by all! Matt has taken golf up and is in love with it. He played a lot with Keith Bunch over the summer. Matt worked at Squire Creek CC this summer as well. He got to meet a lot of really neat people. Some of his responsibilities were getting their clubs ready before they played their round, keep the range well stocked and clean their clubs when they were done. One evening the head golf pro and some of his assistants went to the park across the street and attempted to kick a few footballs. Matt said it was quite humorous. Matt did kick a few as well. Matt has put golf and kicking in the same mindset. You make a smooth swing, follow through and stay consistent. There is no need to swing hard as you will have no clue where the golf ball or the football will go. Matt's goal is always be 1 for 1 and the smooth leg swing and follow through it will help him achieve that goal. Workouts over the summer have been grueling! Matt has added a little more weight, but overall from last year he has added a lot of weight. Now that Thomas Graham is a Grad Assistant for Coach Harrington he has pushed Matt past his expectations. Keep pushing Thomas! He needs it! Matt said Thomas was punching a speed bag one day and the bag fell off. That had to be pretty funny to see Thomas keep punching the air! All kidding aside, Thomas is a great person and will help make this football program that much better. He has been a great influence on Matt. From Matt’s point of view camp under Coach Dykes has gone very well. Coach Dykes delivered the team’s goals and expectations early on and they focus on those every day. Matt roomed with Jonathon Zeno during camp. Matt said the team has really come together and believes in the goals that Coach Dykes has put in place. Matt is very goal driven and before camp started he presented Coach Tommerdahl with a folder. In that folder Matt had set his goals for the season and wanted Coach Tommerdahl to hold him accountable for those goals. They made some modifications to the list, made it final and will review it several times during the season. Matt has been kicking well during camp and is ready for the season to start. I would say he has ants in his pants! One day at practice last week they were practicing game winning field goals and he missed one. Matt was pretty pissed at himself and knew exactly what he did wrong! After practice he went back on the field and kicked 40 field goals. He went 39 out of 40 and his one miss was one of his 54 yard attempts. He has so much drive to be perfect that it is sort of scary! Now that camp is over Matt said he has had his fill of Salisbury steak and mashed potatoes. I say whatever it takes to keep weight on is a real good thing! From the things that Matt has told me, this is going to be a very competitive and focused team. Matt has been super impressed with Ryan Allen and Ray Holley so far. He is not only impressed with Ray as a football player, but as a person. He is very goal driven like Matt and it does not hurt that they have lockers next to each other as well. I have a feeling that they will feed off of each other and it will help keep them grounded. I still cannot believe the first game is in 2 days. I am looking forward to seeing all of the hard work this team has put in this summer displayed out on the field. I am glad to see them playing Grambling and think this is a good thing for the community and Northwest Louisiana. I have my tailgate spot for the Grambling game and I am all ready for the game to start. Go Dawgs! Let’s kick some butt this year! I think Coach Dykes is going to do some really exciting things this year and I wish him and his coaching staff the best of luck this year. They have put a ton of work in with this team and it will pay off in the end. I want to give a special shout out to Coach Harrington, Thomas Graham, Keith Bunch, Jeff Springer, Dan Matthiesen, Adam McGuirt and the ticket office. These guys all work behind the scenes to keep this program going forward. They do not get enough credit. Thanks for all that you do for this program! Make sure and listen to the ins and outs of La Tech football every Tuesday night from 6:00PM to 8:00PM on ESPN Radio 97.7 online! I think I have said enough! I appreciate all of those who are following my journey. I write from my heart and what my feelings are at that moment. May your Football Season be filled with many Football Victories, Sunny Smiles, Sandy Dreams and Travel Your Way! Until our paths cross again, have a blessed week! College Football Dad!