2015
Players/Parents
Manual
STMA Football Mission Statement
“Have a genuine respect for the effort and commitment that everyone makes,
for together we shall get it done!”
Practice
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Wear blue shorts and a gray shirt every day, and your blue/yellow practice jersey on days we wear
shoulderpads.
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We will never cancel practice! (Film, Weight Room, Walk-Thru in Activity Center, etc.)
o Have tennis/basketball shoes in your locker every day.
o Sweatpants and long-sleeves ready every day.
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We don’t hand out paper copies of playbooks---all playbooks are online through HUDL and viewable
through previous year’s Offensive and Defensive cut-ups.
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Tape with your First Initial and Last Name (Ex: J. Doe) needs to be on the front of your helmet for
entire fall camp.
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Hydration is important, especially during 2-a-days. Bring a water bottle each day!
o Water/Gatorade will be provided in between practices for fall camp.
 Rule of Thumb: 2:1 Water to Gatorade intake.
 Junior class is in charge of having Water/Gatorade ready each day for fall camp.
o Self Check--- Water, Lemonade or Orange Juice?
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Sophomore responsibility to set-up and tear down after practice.
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Pack a lunch during two-a-days. Sometimes your best memories are not from the games or practices,
but from the down time in between games and practices!
Odd practice dates to note
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Labor Day (6pm; Grades 10-12 only)
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MEA Break (8:30 AM Thursday/Friday morning; Section Semi-Finals are on Saturday of MEA Break--plan on being in town!).
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Saturday mornings (Grades 10-12 @ 8:30 AM)
o Sophomores will help referee youth football games or come to Saturday morning
film/lifting.
School and MSHSL Policy
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Need to be in school by 10 AM to practice/compete each day!
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Suspension from games for usage, possession, or simply being around the presence of alcohol, tobacco
and drugs.
Usage:
o First infraction: 2 Game Suspension or 2 Weeks (whichever is longer)
o Second infraction: 6 Game Suspension or 6 Weeks
o Third infraction: Year-Long Suspension from date of infraction
Guilt by Association:
o First infraction: 1 Game Suspension or 1 week
o Second infraction: 2 Game Suspension or 2 weeks
 WIN THE DAY! STAY CHEMICAL FREE!
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A player must complete the season in good standing with the coaching staff to serve out their
suspension.
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A player serving a chemical-usage penalty during the season is also not eligible for:
o MVP Honors at the Mississippi 8 Level
o STMA Team Awards (voted on by players)
o MN High School All-Star Game & Mr. Football Award
Lettering Criteria
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All senior players that finish the season in good standing will letter.
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Players that participate in 8 varsity quarters will letter, and other players that meet coaches discretion.
HUDL
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Give Coach Essler your e-mail address. You will get an e-mail invitation to set up an account to
watch game film and opponent scout tape. (www.hudl.com)
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We film all varsity games from two angles, and most 9th, 10th, and JV games from one angle.
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HUDL has an option to create and customize your own highlight film and e-mail a web link or order
a DVD.
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Film productivity: Did you watch film or did you use film to get better? Watch your position and
opponent schemes that apply to you. If you play Defensive Line, don’t watch the Wide Receivers!
Weight Room
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We take time out of practice to lift---nothing shows how much we value the weight room more
than eliminating practice time to create time in the weight room!
o Varsity/JV players will lift Saturday mornings @ 8:30 AM (day after varsity games) and
Varsity/JV will lift Monday after school.
o Sophomore players will lift Saturday morning (when not officiating youth games) @ 8:30
AM and Friday after school.
o Freshman players will lift Friday after school.
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Weightlifting in-season is important to prevent injuries, maintain strength, and decrease soreness
the day after a game.
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Compete in the Game on Gameday; Win the Game in the Weight Room!
Locker Room
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Senior responsibility to monitor cleanliness. Share the duty!
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Lock up everything in your locker except your shoulderpads---you are financially responsible for any
equipment you don’t turn in after the season.
Laundry
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Players/Parents are responsible for washing pants, jerseys, girdles, and game socks.
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Wash these items in cold water, with like colors. Tumble dry low or hang dry!
Leadership Council
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The Leadership Council is a communication link between players and coaches. We hold monthly
meetings in the off-season. The goal of the Leadership Council is to identify leaders and teach
leadership. We do a variety of things; t-shirt slogan, online store apparel selections, taxi cab
service, locker assignments, etc. In order to be eligible to serve as a team captain, you are required
to be a Leadership Council member.
Ironman Award
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Award given to a player for punctuality & perfect attendance. (End of season T-shirt)
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Be on time and present at all football activities for the duration of the season.
o Team meetings
o Film sessions
o Practice
o Bus departures
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Injury: Just because you are injured doesn’t mean you can’t win the Ironman Award. You just need
to be in attendance at all football activities!
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There are no excused absences for the Ironman Award! (Even working with Bryan Szymergalski in
the training room doesn’t excuse you from meetings or practice!)
Family BBQ
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Come & celebrate the conclusion of fall camp.
Friday August 14th- Family BBQ 5:00-7:00 at HS. It is a Pot Luck event and each grade contributes:
- 9th Grade- Water/Beverage
- 10th Grade- Desserts
- 11th Grade- Chips/Snacks
- 12th Grade- Don’t need to bring anything as Senior parents host game night safe parties
- Meat, Buns and condiments will be provided (free will donation)
Social Media Policy
- Treat everything you post online as if it is a press conference with a worldwide
audience!
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Too often in our society, the only newsworthy stories are negative. Posting negative thoughts, or
taunting an opponent will spread quickly and only be a distraction for your teammates and
coaches.
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Understand that as an STMA Football player you represent something much bigger than yourself--stay positive on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites! Players that violate this policy will
be subject to discipline by the coaching staff.
Community Service
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Part of playing football is being a role model; know that others look up to you!
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During the last Friday of Fall Camp, 10-12th grade will not practice in the afternoon and we will
perform different community service projects.
o Freshman community service will involve running the concession stands, with a parent
volunteer, during varsity games. (2 game commitment)
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If you play football for four years, you will at a minimum fulfill half of your graduation requirement
(16 hours) for community service. If you help with summer youth camps, participate in the
elementary reading program, and other opportunities that arise, you will easily complete your full
graduation requirement just by being a member of the football team!
Game Night Safe Parties
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Senior parents and any parents of under-classmen willing to help are welcome.
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A lot of time, effort, and financial commitment goes in to this--- Be first class!
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Limit the non-football players that attend; if other players want to enjoy the benefits of being a
football player, tell them to come out for the team!
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There will not be a safe party after the Homecoming game, or after long road trips.
Expectations from Coaching Staff
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Compete hard every day; regardless of practices or games, grade level, scoreboard!
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Every coach has a different personality, but we are all communicating important information.
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Protect the Front Porch!
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We are not mind-readers; If you have a question or a concern we expect that you will bring it to our
attention.
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Everybody on the team has a role---some are more glamorous or gain more publicity than others.
Every role on the team is important!
o Know your role, Accept your Role, and Perform your Role to the Best of your Abilities!
Spend the off-season doing one of two things:
o #1: Competing in another sport
o #2: Competing in the weight room
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Whatever your coaches tell you is ‘Gold’, take it and turn it into a habit!
2015 STMA Football Schedules
Varsity (All Games 7:00 PM Unless Noted)
Saturday, Aug 22, 2015
Moorhead (6:00 PM)
Friday, Aug 28, 2015
Away vs. Big Lake
Thursday, Sep 3, 2015
Rogers
Friday, Sep 11, 2015
Elk River
Friday, Sep 18, 2015
Away vs. Cambridge-Isanti
Friday, Sep 25, 2015
Away vs. St. Francis
Friday, Oct 2, 2015
Buffalo
Thursday, Oct 8, 2015
Away vs. Monticello
Parents Night
Youth Night/HOF Night
Homecoming/Tackle Cancer
JV (Game Times/Dates TBD)
Schedule TBD once Fall Camp Starts and Opponent Schools know their Participation Numbers
10th (All Games 4:30 PM)
Friday, Aug 21, 2015
Away vs. North Branch
Thursday, Aug 27, 2015
Big Lake
Thursday, Sep 3, 2015
Away vs. Rogers
Thursday, Sep 10, 2015
Away vs. Elk River
Thursday, Sep 17, 2015
Cambridge-Isanti
At HS
Thursday, Sep 24, 2015
Saint Francis
At HS
Thursday, Oct 1, 2015
Away vs. Buffalo
Wednesday, Oct 7, 2015
Monticello
At HS
At MSW Stadium
* 10B games added once the season starts
9th (All Games 4:30 PM Unless Noted)
Friday, Aug 21, 2015
North Branch
Thursday, Aug 27, 2015
Away vs. Big Lake (3:00 PM)
Thursday, Sep 3, 2015
Rogers (3:00 PM)
At HS
Thursday, Sep 10, 2015
Elk River
At HS
Thursday, Sep 17, 2015
Away vs. Cambridge-Isanti
Thursday, Sep 24, 2015
Away vs. Saint Francis
Thursday, Oct 1, 2015
Buffalo
Wednesday, Oct 7, 2015
Away vs. Monticello
At HS
At MSW Stadium
* 9A followed by 9B for most games; stay tuned for updates
* We will add 9B games if needed