Mr. Awesome's Sports Blog

Let the 2010 Football Season Begin

2010-03-24T11:37:00.002-04:00

It's March...a perfect time for the 2010 football season to start. Not that the Blue Devils haven't been working for the upcoming season already.

I have been in the weight roon the last two Monday's. The team has been working relentlessly. Unfortunatly, I had to spend some time away from the team this winter because I was coaching basketball at FT Binns, and more importantly, I had a son. Mackson King, a future Blue Devil DE/ OT, but that is a few years away.

This Friday I am having a Personal Trainer, Justin, come in and work out a few selected members of the 2010 Devils'. We will be using resistance bands to develop power and speed. The boys' are chomping at the bit, IT'S AWESOME! I can't wait.

Big things Devils, BIG THINGS!!!

Coach ULRICH

BDP

2009 Culpeper Blue Devil Football Awards

2009-12-15T14:10:00.002-05:00

A little over a week ago the annual Blue Devil Football awards were held at CCHS.
I first want to state that this group of football players was the best group of people that I have ever been around. These are great guys and if it was possible, they all are deserving of an award.

Offensive Player of the Year: Larry Williams
Defensive Player of the Year: Cortez Rollins
Lineman of the Year: Chris Shelton
Make a Difference (MAD): Richard Carpenter
MVP: Cortez Rollins
Most Improved Player: Colin Huntt
Those are the official awards. I felt that it was necessary to give out other awards. These are both serious awards and non-serious awards.

"Foreman Award" -Cortez Rollins
"Workman Award" -Colin Huntt
"Versatility Award" -Colin Huntt
"Big Hammer Award" -Chris Shelton

"Little Hammer Award" -Matt Wince
"Big Eater Award" -Matt Franklin
"Inappropriate Attire Award" -Derek Dwyer
"Little Big Man Award" -Dustin Whisenhunt
"Foot-in-Mouth Award" -Richard Carpenter

There is no way that a 10 game season was long enough for me. I enjoyed every minute of this past season and selfishly I wanted to spend even more time with these guys. If you were around these kids then you have an idea, if you were not, you missed out on an outstanding group of young men. Men that make me proud when they call me "Coach".

Gentlemen, Thank you.

Coach Ulrich

BDP

A Game of Inches

2009-11-09T11:49:00.002-05:00

Last Friday 11.6.09 was a great football contest between the Culpeper Blue Devils and the visiting Eastern View Cyclones.

I have never been a part of a game that was a closer in score or in competition. The game was, when all the dust had settled, a 1 point game in favor of the visitors. The scoreboard bounced back and fourth, it was a 2 point game at the half.

The two teams couldn't be more different, yet only a few miles apart.

One team big bruising ball control, line up and punish the opponent. The other swift, throw all over the field and use finesse.

The game could not have been closer. I am proud to have coached the Devils on that day. That was a game that I will never forget, ever. The players that played for me gave me everything they had and then some. They played hard and clean. They got knocked down and got up with more conviction to make the opponent pay than I have ever seen.

Today and in the coming years, I am a proud Blue Devil.

Coach ULRICH

BDP

Eat Out and Help the Devils

2009-11-04T11:44:00.002-05:00

This is the week we have been waiting for, the week we play The Other School.

If you get the hankerin' for some fried chicken please stop at Chick-fil-a this week. CCHS and EVHS are competing to see which school can drive the most sales through Chick-fil-a. When placing you order simply mention that you support the Devils, we get money. Simple.

Oh Friday, the day of the Big Game, there is an added contest, the team that gets the most breakfast sales also grabs an added bonus.

Support your DEVILS!!!!!!!!!!

Coach ULRICH

BDP

3-1 in the District

2009-10-29T10:50:00.003-04:00

Last Friday's homecoming game was outstanding. The Devils went 4 years without a win at Broman Field for the Blue Devil faithful. A long time due, no doubt.

The Devils D was a force to be reckoned with once again. To point out that in each of our three wins this season the D has not given up ANY points. Playing lights out is an understatement. Not only did the D disallow points but they scored a TD as well. Outstanding. I could not be more proud.

I am also beaming about the fact that I feel that we have the strongest, but the best O-Line in the district. The only team that I haven't seen, either in person or on film, is Chancellor. Our O-Line is impressive. They are far from perfect, but impressive nonetheless.

I am looking forward to our game Friday against Courtland, let's see if our D can play with the Big Boys...

Coach ULRICH

BDP

2-1 in Battlefield District

2009-10-19T11:29:00.009-04:00

The Blue Devils overcame the Flu, horrible field/ playing conditions, bus malfunctions, and THE WORST officiating I have ever been apart of to grab our second win in the Battlefield District.

It was roughly 42 degrees and a constant rain. "The Pit" a qualified name given to the King George football field, is not only a name but a description. The field seemed to collect water from the surrounding area. Two inch deep mud at mid-field or the sideline was not uncommon in the 2nd quarter.

The Devils' D was outstanding for the second time, in both wins, coincidence?? It became apparent early on that KG would struggle to move the ball, even without some key players out due to the Flu. The O was able to grab 2 quick TD's which was enough for a win. All week we struggled in practice with even having enough players to practice 11 on 11, because of the Flu. There were several Devil's that could not even make the trip to KG and several others that did make the trip but did not dress.

Well before half-time it became clear that we would not be allowed to score anymore, not because of KG's defense, because of the officials. I am not one to complain about officiating, usually. I feel that getting the win allows us to point out that the officiating was atrocious. To be clear, I understand that there are going to be missed calls and blown calls in any given game that does not employ instant replay. What the Devils were a party to on Friday even goes beyond home officiating. I seemed as though every time we gained a 1st down there was a mysterious penalty. In fact while watching film with the team on Saturday AM, I criticized an O-lineman for virtually doing nothing and THAT was the play he was flagged for a hold. OK. I looked at the film for another played that held...NOTHING not even close. This was just one example. I was so angry during the game and it was so obvious, I began to dismiss it and focused on making sure the players kept calm and didn't get frustrated to the point of ACTUALLY committing a rule infraction. At least now it's over, Devils win, all is good.

This week's focus is Spotsy. Homecoming. There is work to do.

Coach ULRICH

BDP

the Flu

2009-10-13T11:53:00.002-04:00

The Flu, in it's varied forms is hitting the 2009 Blue Devil Football team, and hitting hard.

There is no question that the Blue Devils out-hit defending state champs James Monroe last Friday night. They were, no doubt faster and bigger and more athletic than we were. I am VERY proud of our guys that they played hard, to the final whistle. The Blue Devils out classed, and out hit JM by far.

As hard as the Devils hit Friday, we were out hit by the Flu. It started late last week. Several players played through dehydration, fatigue and the other symptoms indicative of the Flu. We were decimated yesterday in practice, almost 1/2 the team out due to the Flu.

Let's all hope that the Devils get healthy, drink plenty of fluids and get that much needed rest.

Coach ULRICH

BDP

FINALLY!!!

2009-10-05T11:59:00.004-04:00

WOW!

Lemmie take a minute... YYYYEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I cannot tell you the feeling of getting that monkey, or in our case that gorilla, off of our backs. I have believed that the 2009 Blue Devils were a good football team since last February. That is the truth.

I want to credit our D and our Linemen. They won that game. The Devils shut down EVERY facet of Caroline's Offense, we made a statement. In the first half the Cavs had -9 yards of total O. They closed out the game with a whopping 5 total yards of O. That is impressive, I don't care who you are. We had a stellar Defensive stand on our own 11 yard line after a muffed punt. Not only did we prevent them from scoring but we pushed them back over 20 yards!

These kids were not given ANYTHING! They went out and took that game!

Let me take a minute...nope I couldn't be more proud to coach such a fine group of young gentlemen.

Coach ULRICH

BDP

GAME DAY...Finally

2009-10-02T11:29:00.003-04:00

I'm both anxious and excited about tonight's game against Caroline County High School.

We match up well with them. Unfortunately we did not get the help that we needed during the last two bye weeks as far as healing from injuries. Our Secondary is very thin, veeeery thin.

This game is entirely on the broad shoulders of our Linemen. They know it. I know it. We need to be relentless in our pursuit of their QB, and devastating when opening holes for the RB.

It is a loooooong bus ride to Caroline from Broman Field, my goal is that the ride back feels like a quick one.

Coach ULRICH

BDP

Something To Prove

2009-09-28T11:48:00.005-04:00

Finally, we are actually preparing for an opponent this Friday.

We go to Caroline this Friday.

The Blue Devils can only control what we do. We need to force Caroline to adapt what they do while dealing with us.

Our offense has continued to improve over the last couple weeks. The Defense has gotten healthier and faster. It should be much improved over our last outing.

I am excited about this week. Most likely due to having not payed an opponent in three weeks and NEEDING to show that our last game was not how we play football.

Coach ULRICH

BDP

Thursday of...Lift-A-Thon Week???

2009-09-23T15:03:00.003-04:00

Still not quite used to having nothing to prepare for this coming Friday. Two Bye weeks, I digress.

This Friday the Culpeper Blue Devils Football Team is holding their first ever Lift-A-Thon. The players are getting sponsors to donate money to the team based on how much weight they can lift in a one time MAX OUT lift. The Devils have four lifts to put up as much weight as possible; Bench Press, Dead Lift, Squat, and Power Clean.

If the guys get out and get people to promise .01 per pound we lifted 51,315 pounds. If each player gets a penny a pound that's $514.15. If each player gets five people to sponsor them at a penny a pound it'll be $2570.75!!! That's if they maintained their strength. Naturally we should get stronger and the Blue Devils lift twice a week in season.

Let's go Devils! Push yourself, that's the only way you get better!

Coach ULRICH

BDP

Behind the Sideline

2009-09-21T11:52:00.000-04:00

I had this weekend off from football, almost. Friday I went to the Eastern View vs. William Monroe game for two reasons. One, I'm addicted to football and two, we have to play EVHS again.

I didn't learn much from watching the EVHS game that I didn't already know. They make their living off of the Bubble Screen and the Jailbreak Screen. On D they run a 4-4. OK.

What I did learn was how long a football game really is. When I'm coaching a game, good or bad the time absolutely screams by. When watching a game, time seems to stop. My wife reminded me that she watches all of my games.

When coaching, half-time is terribly quick. There is next to no time to put in more than one or two adjustments, or speak with the O/D Linemen to get their perspectives on what they are seeing as opposed to what is really happening.

When watching, half-time is more than enough time to stand in line for the crowded bathroom. Stand in another long line for bad concession stand food, and get back to where you are sitting to be annoyed that there is still 5 minutes before the teams come out.

As someone who has been patrolling the sidelines for nine years before that 7 years of playing, it has been quite a while since I have been in the bleachers for a high school football game. I now have a much greater appreciation of life, Behind the Sideline.

Coach ULRICH

BDP

Bye, Bye weeks...agh!

2009-09-18T13:44:00.000-04:00

Well the Blue Devils are off this week and next.

Two Bye weeks in a row, good or bad?

If you had asked me my opinion of this 3 weeks ago, I no doubt would have grimaced and grumbled. Probably something about having to go through training camp all over again. As the world of sports changes, and it always does, my opinion has also changed. I am currently enjoying this break for competition for multiple reasons. First and foremost, the Blue Devil Football Team NEEDED to heal. Over the last 3 weeks we have gotten ourselves pretty banged up. Secondly, the Devils need to refocus. Not that we were way off, but we need to define and determine our goals for the rest of this 2009 season.

I really like where the players are at this point. They seem to have really grabbed hold of this opportunity to make ourselves better. Next week we will resume some hitting and then GAME WEEK!

If we come out of the tunnel and play as we did Week 1, we won't be stopped.

Coach ULRICH
BDP

Background Info

2009-09-17T11:51:00.000-04:00

I am a teacher at Floyd T. Binns Middle School. It is through an elective class I started that the FT Binns Student Sports Blogs were born.

This is a learning process for me as well as my students.

My personal athletic interests stem from the fact that I am a Varsity Football Coach for the Culpeper County Blue Devils. I have also coached; basketball, wrestling, and Intramurals. I played football, basketball, lacrosse, baseball, competitive marksmanship at one level or another.

As the Defensive Coordinator for the Blue Devils I will be posting updates and thoughts throughout this football season.

BDP (Blue Devil Pride)