CBC 31, SLUH 17 WHOOOOOOPEEEEEEE!!!!!!!

And to think the SLUH fans thought they were blue before the game....Now they really have something to be BLUE about!!!!

Hey CADETS, thanks for getting us ANOTHER HOUSE!!!!

"WHOSE HOUSE?"

"OUR HOUSE!!!"

CADET FAN-tastic....Don Happe!!!

I am expecting to be mysteriously run over by a black Lexus for this one, but here goes....

The Fan of the Week from the Francis Howell game is none other than our favorite "Video Guy" Don Happe!

He probably doesn't even think of himself as a "fan", but that makes no difference here because those of us who get to watch him do what he does as it relates to CBC Varsity Football know beyond a shadow of a doubt just how big a fan he is!

I first met Don back in 2004 when our kids were on the freshman football team. I noticed that he was one of the few Dads who attended every single game. For the entire freshman football season, I don't believe there was even one game where I did not see Don Happe. Then, quite mysteriously he seemed to disappear off the face of the earth or at least off the face of CBC football games. I wondered many times what had happened, but in these days of families disintegrating right before our eyes, I did not feel comfortable asking for fear of the answer I might receive.

I did not cross paths with Don again until the beginning of the 2007 season when I discovered to my absolute joy that he was indeed still around and always had been! It turned out that Don had become his alter-ego, "VIDEO GUY"!!! Instead of being in the stands where I was so used to seeing him, he had climbed up to the top of the press box and was making the game tapes that have been instrumental to our Cadets and Coaches in their attempts to improve their game.

Additionally, Don provides direct, to the point, in your face feedback to our Cadets about their performance on the field which I have it on good authority is considered by many Cadets to be more valuable than the feedback they receive from any other source. There is no sugar-coating in his delivery, and every word he speaks to these Cadets might as well be gospel.

Good fans support their team and make them want to step up their game. They may be very vocal and found screaming at the top of their lungs in the stands or they may be quietly taping a game on top of the press box. Or, as is the case with Don, they may be found on top of the press box screaming at the top of their lungs while taping the game! Wherever they are found, and however they demonstrate their support, good fans always but always do whatever they can to make their team better; for that Don Happe, you are this week's CADET FAN-tastic Fan of the Week!!!

Senior Spotlight....Steve Batliner #10

Okay, I am finally up to date with the Spotlight Senior posts, and man does it feel good to actually be writing about THIS WEEK'S Spotlight Senior, STEPHEN BATLINER!!! One of the very first Cadets I met during the current seniors' freshman year, Steve has always been one of my favorites. Always upbeat and optimistic with that funny little smile on his face, Steve tends to be one of everybody's favorites!

One of the Varsity team's quarterbacks, Steve was injured early on in the season and has not been able to play while he recuperates. For many, this would have soured their final season; but that is not the case with Steve. Even though he currently remains on the DL, Batty as he is called by those in his inner circle is still one of the most visible Varsity Cadets around. Always on the sideline encouraging his team mates to keep going strong, Steve is the consumate Cadet and displays a sense of team spirit that is obvious in his behavior on the field, the sideline, and as you will see shortly, even in his responses to the Senior Spotlight Questionnaire.


As I understand it, Steve is on his way to a full recovery from his injury earlier this season and I for one can't wait to witness him taking the field by storm once he is certified to play again! Read on to catch a glimpse of what I have seen!

Name: Stephen Batliner
Nickname: Batty
Ht: 6'0" Wt: 170
Position: QB
Varsity Number: 10
Parents: Brent & Christa Batliner

Motto: When in doubt, give the ball to Rayon!

QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES:

What are your plans following graduation? (If planning to attend college, what are your top 3 choices?)
-Following graduation I will be going to Mizzou, & working during the summer.

Do you plan to play football in college?
-I am not planning on playing college football.

What are your personal FOOTBALL goals for the season?
-My main goal right now is to get healthy & return to the field.

Who is your personal “Hero” (football or other) and why?
-My personal hero is Matt Happe. He is great at everything he does, especially football. More heroes of mine include my mother & father because they always support me.

Would you like to give a special someone a “shout-out”? Here is your chance….
-Shout-outs to all my boyz- Adam, Jack, Stan, k-dash-martin, reekn BT, Massey, Kelvin, Dare-Bear Rallo, DiCarlo, Happe, Jenkins, B-Lub, Winkler, Lentz, Iggy, Rayon, Andy McLovin, Rod, Walsh, Jack Yarbrough, and my main man- little batty!

Senior Spotlight....Stanley Ruchalski #38

Still playing "catch-up" here on the blog as the responses to the Senior Spotlight questionnaires continue to roll in; some earlier, and some later than others. This week's Spotlight Senior is Stanley Ruchalski.

A wide receiver on the varsity team, Stan is not a Cadet I know very well. Even so, I have been able to figure out a few things about him from our limited contact so far. One of the things I have gathered is that Stan has a uniquely quirky sense of humor which is definitely not lost on me. In addition to being a member of the Varsity Football team, Stan is also an accomplished pole vaulter for CBC.

This is one of the pictures of Stan in action that his mother so graciously sent to me following months of my pleas to her son going seemingly unnoticed ;) I'm glad I took it on myself to reach out to his mother, because otherwise I might never have known this side of Stan existed!

Obviously multi-faceted, Stanley is one of the seniors I might have missed out on knowing had I not begun this blog; so add Stan to the list of little blessings this blog has brought into my life. Now, I will pass the gift of getting to know Stan a little better on to all of you!

Name: Stanley Ruchalski
Ht: 6'0" Wt: 180
Position: WR
Varsity Number: 38
Parents: Jerry & Cindy Ruchalski

QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES:

What are your plans following graduation? (If planning to attend college, what are your top 3 choices?)
-not sure.. probably Mizzou for accounting

Do you plan to play football in college?
-nope.

What are your personal FOOTBALL goals for the season?
-lead in tackles for special teams.. or at least beat winkler.

Who is your personal "Hero" (football or other) and why?
-no response given

Would you like to give a special someone a "shout-out"? Here is your chance....
-no response given

Senior Spotlight....Zach Schmitz #46

The subject of this Senior Spotlight is one of the Varsity Team Captains, Zach Schmitz! Zach has played football at CBC since his freshman year, and has become one of the definitive leaders of the team. Having known Zach since his freshman year, I can say first hand that he is one great kid. An excellent student academically, Zach shows with every play in which he is involved that he has a great work ethic and the uncanny ability to engage himself totally in every single thing he attempts.

As a defensive player, Zach is known to put a hurting on any opponent foolish enough to actually cross his path. If further proof of his prowess on the field is needed, check this out....

Zach's sister Hannah actually comes to the games [when she is not playing golf on behalf of her own school], paints her face purple and gold, cheers, and she even made huge cut-outs that spell CBC in support of her brother and his team.

Now I don't know about you, but when I was a teen-aged girl, the last thing in the world I would have done without a bribe from my parents would have been to show public support of my brothers! With a brother who has it all together to the extent that Zach appears to, it is no wonder why his little sister is "on his team".

Following is an introduction to Zach for those of you who don't already know him, and a refresher course on what a great kid he is for those who do!

Name: Zachary Schmitz

Nickname: Schmitty

Varsity Number: 46

Ht: 6'0" Wt: 185

Position: TE/LB

Parents: Paul & Beth Schmitz

Motto: You can always work harder!

QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES:

What are your plans following graduation? (If planning to attend college, what are your top 3 choices?)
-Following graduation, I plan on going on to Wash U, Stanford, or Northwestern. After that I don’t know, I just want to live a happy life.

Do you plan to play football in college?
-As of right now I am not planning on playing football in college.

What are your personal FOOTBALL goals for the season?
-I want to be the leader on defense, and I want to contribute on offense and special teams however I can.

Who is your personal “Hero” (football or other) and why?
-Brian Urlacher is my football hero because of how fast and strong he plays linebacker. Outside of football my heroes have always been my parents because they always work hard for our family. Also Nick Lentz, just cause he’s a great kid.

Would you like to give a special someone a “shout-out”? Here is your chance….
-All the football moms for taking such good care of us this year.

Most Improved Player.....DEREK RALLO #8 (AGAIN!!!)

THE Most Improved Player from the Vianney game was another repeat.....#8 DEREK RALLO!

A sophomore, Derek continues to improve his game from week to week thereby setting the standard for what "good looks like"! When the email from the coaching staff arrived announcing Derek as this week's Cadet Carpe Diem selection, it included the following explanation for why Derek was the selected Cadet:

"He earned an 86% in blocking and had aggressive play this week. He is improving in his play as a linebacker!"

Well, if anyone is in a position to speak to these facts, it is the coaching staff so I'll second that motion!

When I contacted Derek to make him aware of this second selection, he asked that I republish his responses to the original questionnaire he completed the first time he was selected saying "nothing's changed". So the questionnaire is being printed again here in its entirety by Derek's request, and you can read the first post on this spectacular cadet here if you missed it before.

Name: Derek Rallo

Nickname: Dare Bear

Ht: 5'11" Wt: 200

Position: FB/LB

Varsity Number: 8

Parents: Michael and Karen Rallo

Motto/Quote to live/play by: The game isn't over until its over.

QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES:

Are you surprised to receive this honor? Why or why not?

-Yes, I’ve been working really hard to try and keep improving and not lose my starting spot so this really means a lot to me.

What are your personal football goals for this year?

-I would like to keep improving on my blocking to where I execute most all of my blocks. I would like to get a touchdown or two also. On defense I would like to lead the team in tackles. For the team I want us to win the MCC and make it to the playoffs and we can see how it goes from there.

Do you have a football “HERO”? Who is it and why is he your hero?

-Not really a famous football hero but my brothers Mike and Ryan help me out a whole lot. They both were great players at CBC and they try to help me out and give pointers with whatever they can.

Other than you, who on the team do you feel deserved this honor for the game in which you earned it and why?

-I feel Kevin Gerwitz deserved this award as well. He played really well on the offensive line. He had 6 pancakes, came off the ball well, and completed most of his blocks.

Would you like to give a special someone a “shout-out”? Here’s your chance…

-I would like to thank all the coaches for helping to improve my game over the course of this season. Also most important, thanks to my teammates for supporting me and teaching me how to win.

Congratulations Derek....sometimes Repeats are a great thing!

**Cadet Carpe Diem Most Improved Players are selected by the Varsity Football Coaching Staff based on noted improvement from week to week**

KEVIN GERWITZ #68 Selected for a record 3rd time as Most Improved Player!!!

I begin this post by first apologizing to Kevin Gerwitz (along with Derek Rallo) for the time delay in publishing their posts. I was tied up over the last week and a half with the finalization of this year's football media guide which is now at the printers, thereby freeing me up to catch up on this blog which has been so neglected. Now to get to the point of this post...


that's right football fans, you heard it here first....Kevin Gerwitz has now pulled off the "3-peat"! When I first created this blog and showed it to the football coaching staff, Coach Shannon immediately requested that the Most Improved Player feature be added. I agreed to add this feature and decided that I would subsequently publish an article about each Cadet who was chosen. I did not figure on kids repeating at that point, and when Kevin pulled off the first repeat, I reached deep inside and tried to come up with something more to write about this great kid who I only know from the football field. A difficult task to say the least, but with a little assistance from Kevin himself, I pulled it off! So imagine my horror when I received the email following the Chaminade game that once again the coaches had selected Kevin as the Most Improved Player and I needed to write about him again....basically, I was immobilized

I tried to think of something new and interesting to say about Kevin but considering my limited acquaintance with him, I simply had very limited interactions with him from which to draw. I asked for suggestions from Kevin himself who did not have the answer for me, but the very way in which he responded gave me the additional insight into him that I needed to write this post.

Kevin Gerwitz, the Most Improved Player from the Chaminade game is a kid who shows a personal maturity beyond his years. Though only a junior, he has made his presence known by virtue of his actions on the team, while displaying a humility that typically is only seen in individuals much older than he. Kevin is the kind of kid who takes these types of accolades in stride by showing his appreciation for them without allowing them to "go to his head". He is generous in his ability to share the glory of what he has been able to achieve with his team mates. Kevin has never displayed the cockiness typical of many athletes who excel in their chosen sport; opting instead to always credit his team mates (particularly those on the offensive line with him) with helping him to improve his game each week.

You can read Kevin's first post here, and his second one here to review his previous answers to the Most Improved Player Questionnaire. His updated answers to the two questions that are specific to the game for which this honor was given are posted below.

Name: Kevin Gerwitz
Nickname: Gerber Baby
Ht: 6'1" Wt: 210
Position: OG/DT
Varsity Number: 68
Parents: Paul and Jennifer Gerwitz

Motto/Quote to live/play by: Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in always rising when we fall.

QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES (amended):
Other than you, who on the team do you feel deserved this honor for the game in which you earned it and why?
-I believe Matt Happe deserves this honor more than me. He has improved every game, but it always seems like he gets overlooked. He played very well against Chaminade and helped me with many of my blocks.

Would you like to give a special someone a "shout-out"? Here's your chance....
-I would like to also give Matt Happe a shout-out for always helping me practice and learn the plays. He even manages to keep practices fun. I would also like to thank my parents and the coaching staff.

In short, Kevin is the kid any one of us parents would love to have as our own!

At this point, I'm wondering what I will do if Kevin is selected again.....

I know, I'll get his Dad to write the post :-)

So once again Kevin

Congratulations on your selection!

You continue to make us all proud!!!

Hi Ho, Hi Ho

Its off to work we go.....

and work was just what these gentlemen did! In Friday night's shut-out over the Francis Howell Vikings, just about every Cadet on the team demonstrated the theme that was echoed in so many of their personal mottos when they completed their biographies for the media guide:

DO WORK!

From the very first play of the game, the Cadets let it be known that work was what they had come to do. Running the score up to a final of 44-0 was the final outcome of the work the Cadets did. During the fourth quarter, I went over to the "home team's" stands to take pictures of our sideline, and found that their fans were experiencing two basic sentiments: SHOCK AND AWE!!!

The CBC Varsity Cadets seem to be hitting their stride, and as always, they have a support system behind the scenes that is willing to do whatever is necessary to help them maintain their footing. One link in this support chain is Daniel Massey who continues to ensure that our Cadets maintain proper hydration thoughout each game.

The good times are definitely here, and even though 5th Quarters were originally planned to take place following home games only, some of us die-hards couldn't help ourselves and got together following this week's "away" game anyway! There are only two more official 5th Quarters remaining, so if you have not joined us before, don't miss your chance. Coaches, that invitation applies to you as well....come on out and have a refreshment with us sometime.

All in all, we are all enjoying ourselves and we thank our team for making that possible. Cadets, we hope you all know how very much we appreciate your efforts, and hopefully you guys feel the love coming from us!

How about it Cadets, can you feel the love???