Jays building a bond with football

On Mom's Night

LeAnn McCarthy gets set to snap the ball to quarterback Staci Darr as Jay moms practice running a play on offense from the victory formation Wednesday during the annual Mom's Night at Adkins Stadium.
LeAnn McCarthy gets set to snap the ball to quarterback Staci Darr as Jay moms practice running a play on offense from the victory formation Wednesday during the annual Mom's Night at Adkins Stadium.

Watching football on televsion and from the stands has given Carla Saucier-Roling a basic understanding of the game.

But the mother of Jefferson City Jays senior quarterback Isaac Roling has had the opporunity to expand that understanding during the last three summers.

"It's a wonderful experience," Saucier-Roling said Wednesday night after the Jefferson City Jaysfootball program held its third annual Mom's Night at Adkins Stadium. "It's amazing what these kids memorize and have to know day in and day out to get the plays right."

She's not the only mother that has gained more of an understanding of the game.

"I think it's a really good learning experience because some of the ladies don't know anything about football," Becky Holland, the mother of senior outside linebacker Austin Holland, said. "It makes us know what (the players) go through."

The event has been equally rewarding for the Jays' players.

"Everybody seems to like it and have a lot of fun with it," senior offensive lineman Brenden Baker said. "It's a good time for the boys to come out here with their moms and show them what it's about."

The idea of bringing a Mom's Night to Jefferson City came to head coach Ted LePage four years ago after having a conversation with his wife, Shelly.

"She said, "I watch my son, but I don't really know what he does,'" LePage said.

Shortly after, LePage attended a coaching clinic in Arkansas, where he learned Greenwood (Ark.) High School held a Mom's Night that was met with much enthusiasm throughout the program.

The veteran coach didn't hesitate bringing the event back to Adkins Stadium.

"Watching the interaction with my wife and son (Thomas) was something I could never replace," LePage said. "Then looking at other moms with their sons, it was just so chemistry-building and the moms really want to know what's going on in their son's life. They want to know why their son loves this sport so much."

This year, mothers had an all-access pass in the football locker room, before making their way to the field, the same routine their sons go through before a routine practice.

Players led their moms through a brief warmup and later broke into individual drills, where the teaching moments got underway.

"The best part is just watching a mom, and all of a sudden she has that "got you' moment, where she understands why her son loves this," LePage said. "That's really what it's about because a mom's bond with her son is very, very strong. When you can see a mom and a son, and the mom turns and looks at him and says, "You know all this? or "You can do all this?' that's what it's about."

Quarterbacks got their arms loose by playing catch with their mothers, before getting a little more technical with three-step drops. The moms were really put to the test when they were strapped to elastic bands to increase resistance.

"It was very tough, but I understand now why the kids are worn out after practice," Saucier-Roling said. "I can appreciate what they go through now."

The moms at the quarterback position wrapped up their individual drill by throwing passes to mothers of the Jays' receiving core, who ran a variety of zig-zagging patterns.

"It's really good to get the moms involved because a lot of them may not know a whole lot," Isaac Roling said. "(My mom) asks me, "How's practice?' everyday and I say, "Good' and not much more than that. Now she kind of sees what I do everyday and that's pretty neat."

Running backs practiced footwork and handoffs, while defensive backs and linebackers tracked down passes and tested their hands with a few tip drills.

"The moms love coming out here and having fun with their kids and getting to know the game of football," Austin Holland said. "They really enjoy it and it's fun for the players, too."

Drills got a little more physical for moms on the offensive line. They went head-to-head with their sons - who were holding pads - to practice run and pass blocks.

"I'm not very good at it, but I'm getting better... I think" Betsy Simpson, the mother of Baker, said. "I understand football, but I understand his position better."

The moms on the defensive line put their quickness to the test by running at top speed to get to the quarterback, before the offensive and defensive teams put everything to the test with a few simulated plays.

The offensive team ended with a victory formation and both teams finished the evening with a final "breakdown" at the 50-yard line.

"Working with my son and seeing every mom work with their son - it's just so much fun," Saucier-Roling said. "It really, really brings us closer - as a team, as moms, as supporters. It's just a wonderful experience."

While the event was created for moms, LePage said it also lets his players keep things in perspective.

"We always ask our players, "Why do you play football?... You started playing football because it was fun,'" LePage said. "When we lose focus of that, football becomes something else. This is a night they can come out and show their moms how much fun football is."