Washington Keeping Carroll Focused

Alex Washington's first year as head coach of the Carroll High School Football Team Monroe LA was not by all standards a good one. Starting your first year off with a 2-8 record is not the stuff that people want to remember. But Washington and his staff were determined to put year one in the rear-view mirror and do things differently. The first thing that Washington and his staff did, was to get his team in the conditioning room and focus on keeping his players at peak optimum by going through strength exercises throughout the rest of the year. Washington says that he owes the credit to Osaro Kyles, his strength coach. They kept at it during spring training, with an added emphasis on discipline. Oh, what a difference a year can make in anyone's life, especially players on a football team. The Bulldogs are off to a 6-2 start, which can only be described as a big turnaround from Washington's first year at the helm. But Washington said that it was a team effort that has contributed to Carroll's current success, as he cautioned his team to not "look too far ahead", keeping his team focused on one game at a time. As of right now, Washington says that Carroll is ranked 7th in 3A classification, but he still gives the credit to his staff and the team for where they are now this late in the season. Washington says that he believes that it has been his emphasis on discipline within his players, that helps them to stay focus during a game. He says that discipline also helps to build character such as unity, a vital component that is essential for any group of people, not just a football team. "That can be shown by them in their community because people will respect an athlete who is willing to give back to the community", said Washington. Washington also gives credit to Carroll's principal, Dr. Eric Davis, who returned to his alma mater, pledging to bring back the glory days at the school when it was known for both its' academics and athletic achievements. Washington says that he sees in the Carroll students a sense of pride of wanting success for themselves. But Washington also knows that the success of a football team can't do it alone. "The support of the community is important', said Washington. "it needs to be more than just supporting the team." Getting involved in other school activities, said Washington, including academics, is important to Carroll when the community is unified. But Washington knows that his football team has more work to do if they want to host the trophy in the Superdome. He is also showing what can happen when one applies hard work and discipline to their goal, anything is possible.

Photo Carroll Football-Carroll Football Coaches rally the team during a time-out. Coach Alex Washing refocusing football attention to detail..