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2007 High School Football: Potomac (VA) Head Coach Tony Lilly Sheds Some Light. |
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Written by Wendall Stevens
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Tuesday, 20 November 2007 |
"Football is a people business. I get to know my players as people before I demand things of them." This comes from Potomac (VA) Head Coach Tony Lilly who leads his undefeated 11-0 Panthers against GW-Danville this weekend. For Lilly coaching is the easy part, it's parting with the kids that's tough. He really cares about each and everyone of the kids that play for him. Spend a few minutes with him and you can't help but to notice his spirit and charisma. It's no wonder kids follow him.
Lilly stops to give credit to others along the way who he played for that provided him with the blueprint on how not only to lead and inspire but to treat people.
A native of Woodbridge, VA who attended Woodbridge High School, Lilly was good enough to earn a full ride to the University of Florida where he starred at safety from 1980-1983. Lilly was nominated to the second team All Century Florida Gator team for defense in 1999.
After college, Lilly was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 3rd round of the 1984 NFLDraft. Lilly played free safety and started for the Denver Broncos team that played in Super Bowl XXII against the Washington Redskins.
Lilly talks about his experience in the NFL playing under the current Broncos Head Coach Mike Shanahan, who was an assistant coach then. "Mike Shanahan was and is a player's coach. He knew he could get the best of his players if he could treat you like he's on your level. This is one of the most endearing qualities I learned from him and is a big part of what I use to this day with my players."
Lilly's in his 4th season at Potomac and his 3rd year as the head coach. In the beginning he mentions it was no cakewalk. "We were 5-5 my first season as the head coach. We knew we had to take over and redirect a program that had some off the field issues so we reevaluated our approach to the kids."
Lilly mentioned that the building blocks were in place and a sleeping giant was awakening."We had a good group of juniors." After inviting the entire team over for a barbeque, Lilly mentioned, "We just told them, hey it's your team. We'll go as far as you take us." The seeds were planted.
The Panthers surged the next season to an 11-2 record and captured the Cardinal District and Northern Regional Championships in the state of Virginia. The Panthers eventually loss to Phoebus in double overtime but the seeds of a program had developed into a harvest.
I asked Lilly about this season and here were some of his answers.
What were your expectations coming into the season?
"To be honest with you I didn't know. We had some big time playmakers from last year's team but as it's panned out, we have some pretty big time playmakers who've taken over.
How do you keep the kids focused?
"I tell the kids one game at a time. We take care of our business one game a time."
What do you contribute your programs success to?
"Like I mentioned, I'm in the people business. I get to know the players as people first, then I can figure out how to get them motivated. It also helps to have your cupboard full with talented kids but they have to buy into our off season programs as well."
Who besides the Big 3 can you attribute your teams success to this year?
"We have a young offensive line that creates opportunities for players like Darius Brent and Mulku Kalokoh. Nathaniel Cobbold has done a solid job at the cornerback position. I tell ya, Thomas Ostrosky, our first year center is a big key. He's bright kid. JaJuan Johnson has been a big contributor as well on our offensive line. I tell some of our kids who are role players you may not get your name in the paper but you contribute to the success of this team. DeAirius Thomas, our starting quarterback is only a sophomore. He has taken all the snaps and is growing into a good player. You watch he'll be something special one day."
If you don't advance to the state championship this year, will the season be a failure?
"Absolutely not. Not at all. We're trying to develop good young men. When these kids leave they take a piece of me. I love ‘em all."
DC Metro Sports will follow the Panthers in their quest for a state title game appearance. Their next opponent is GW Danville who defeated a good Brooke Point team from the Commonwealth District last Friday night.
For high school football images, log onto www.dcmetrosports.com/prepsportgallery
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