What are we talking about?! Practice?! We talking about practice man. Not a game. PRACTICE. Sorry I couldn’t resist, but when Preston Jackson first described Armwood’s Practice as organized chaos (find something, hit something, don’t stop until you hear a whistle) my ears immediately perked along with my interest in seeing this for myself. Nobody, I mean NOBODY understands organized chaos more than myself, so Tuesday afternoon I decided to see what the hullabaloo was all about. There wasn’t an ounce of disappointment whatsoever.

Every team has there modus operandi, but if Plant is the North Pole, then Armwood is the South Pole. Hard to argue with either in my opinion. I believe the rings speak for themselves, but it’s never a bad thing to get a sense for how champions go about their business and get an appreciation for the multiple ways to reach young men. Kind of like sitting in other teacher’s classroom. There’s always something to learn. Teachable moments never cease, and today was a great example.

I’ve been around the Plant contingency enough to know, or should I say feel the difference in the vibe. This may not be a district game, but this isn’t just another game either. It’s freaking Plant at freaking Armwood. Interesting dichotomy in the aura’s projected from each squad. I’ll break down both schools later in the week, but first I wanted to drop a few observations from my first look at the organized chaos in Seffner though. Don’t worry, I won’t give away anything. Probably wouldn’t matter anyway. They’re gonna run what they run without making any sort of apologies for tipping their hand or not. They’ll just laugh when you can’t stop what you knew was coming.

First thing I noticed was the interaction between coaches and players, as well as players with other players. Not everyone on that team has spent 4 years together. Some of those guys are in their first year with the team, but you wouldn’t know it. The mood among many teams on the Tuesday before Plant in many cases (or one would think) would be pretty intense. Not these jokers, and I mean that in a good way. The only thing missing at times was the balcony to accommodate the Statler and Waldorf’s (aka the 2 old dudes from the balcony in “The Muppets”) in the peanut gallery. Don’t get it twisted though, the mentality when the whistle blew was find something, hit it extremely hard, and do your best to let your teammate know that you just got served and that it’s officially becoming a long day for you.

Again, I told you I wouldn’t give you much in terms of X’s and O’s. Just thought I’d share with you some of the ingredients that go into making the perfect recipe for success. Regardless of who’s kitchen it is, or who’s the cook. Is it Friday yet? Please hurry up, because I’m starving for football.