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| Coach Tim Bostick and Coach Marty McCutchen |
The 6th grade Panther football team concluded our four-year run last Tuesday
night. The team celebrated Sunday evening with the Paschal High School
alumni field presentation, then moved the party to Pop's Garage for
burgers and cake. In the last moments of the party, as the parents
presented the coaches with gift cards, Corbin spoke for all of us when
he said we couldn't find a better pair of men to entrust or boys with
over four tackle football seasons. They know football, they know our
boys, and they are the kind of men you not only trust your kiddos with,
but it's a privilege for our children to be under their example and leadership.
For the last several years, Coach Marty McCutchen and Coach Tim Bostick
made themselves available in early August for summer practices preceding
the season. Then late August through early November, offered countless
hours and energy as they rushed from work to practice, toting along
huge water coolers and whatever else equipment I'm not even aware of.
They taped injured hands and legs before practices and games, helped and
hugged boys through minor injuries (and a couple of more significant
ones), and kept up with opposing team films and stats in order to
prepare the Panthers as best as possible.
For many kids, football stops around this age. Going on in middle school or high school will appeal to some, but many will veer towards other sports in the next couple of years as they streamline their activities. But my feeling is that every one of these Panther players has an appreciation for the sport and an increased confidence as an athlete, regardless if they ever suit up for a football game again. There's a strong assurance set in these years of youth, playing on a great team with great camaraderie, under fantastic coaches.
I believe the success of our Panther team has a lot to do with the caliber of the families, but also the expectations and leadership of Marty and Tim. But enough about what I think, here are a few of the Panther player's thoughts:
- "You have to work for the team's achievements."
- "He always says, 'Get it Done' - push til we finish, as long as we have to."
- "He helped me a lot, helped me improve."
- "He's always nice at practices and games. Makes me want to play football."
- "He's a very godly man."
- "He is always on our side."
- "He believes in us."
- "He did really well creating new plays."
- "He's nice but can keep control of us."
- (from his son, John) "He doesn't make it too complicated, he makes it pretty simple to understand."
What's your favorite thing about playing for Coach Bostick?
- "He teaches us all about muscle memory - that we gotta practice well to play well. He tells us, 'Play as hard as you can for as long as you can. Doesn't matter how big he other team is.'"
- He teaches us that we all have to work individually to make the team better.
- "He's really nice, encouraging, and doesn't get mad if you do something wrong."
- "He pushes us, doesn't give up on us."
- "He pushes us to do well."
- "He's loud!"
- "How he yells."
- "He's always very honest with us."
- "He made good choices with plays - who to play where."
- (from his son, Alex) "He's tough on us but it paid off in the end."
Marty and Tim - thanks for the seasons of memories. Not only in Panther football, but in flag football before that, and on the Little League baseball diamond as well. We are grateful for your time and energy poured out for our kids and families. Of course a great program like this takes a whole slew of parents - and there are a handful of men who attended each and every game, many practices, videoed and photographed games (JB), worked with the boys as assistant coaches, and jumped in for years to make this all run. But Marty and Tim, as the coaches of our mighty Panther team, we sure hope you feel the gratification that comes from excellent leadership poured out over years.
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| Cutie Patootie 2nd graders - Flag football with Coach McCutchen |
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| Trophies! |
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| Big 3rd graders - introduction season to tackle football |
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| 4th grade - Superbowl champs at Cowboys Stadium |
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| 5th Grade - Increased team skills this season as younger underdogs playing older teams. Another way of saying ~ not a ton of wins, but lots learned! |
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| Bostick and McCutchen making sure our boys demonstrated good sportsmanship - win or lose |
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| 6th grade. Hot, tiring practices lead to another winning Panther season |
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| Final 6th grade game vs. the Longhorns |
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| Final debrief of final game of final season. |
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| Just for fun - playing a little flag football on the new PHS Panther field |
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| Love this pic - proud coaches |
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| Celebrate! |
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| Coaches and their boys - we are proud to be a part of Panther Nation! |
I love writing these "Wednesday Wonder" posts, because when I see amazing people doing extraordinary things, I want to shout it from the rooftops. Or at least from my little blog! The people I highlight here are "Wonders" in my eyes because I see God's work in and through them - His work transforming the ordinary to extraordinary. But it typically takes a willing heart, some risk, and an offering of "yes" for Him to transform.
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