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Mostly Cloudy Jets honor O’side football coach
Oceanside High School football coach Rob Blount has been recognized by the New York Jets as the High School Coach of the Week after his team, the Oceanside Sailors, rousted Uniondale 26-7, advancing their 9-0 season, the first one since 1955.
The school’s football program will receive $2,000 from the Jets and Chase Bank. Coach Blount will be presented with a certificate and an award ball. In addition, he was invited to watch the Jets play the Tennessee Titans on Dec. 13 in Chase’s suite at MetLife Stadium.
For 20 years the Coach of the Week award has been given to a coach in the tristate area who serves the best interests of the game through the teaching of sound football fundamentals, the motivation of young players to achieve, and the promotion of youth football by way of dedication to their community, their school and their student-athletes.
Blount credits the players for its winning season. “Last year we struggled, we were two and six, and the kids were upset. They took it upon themselves [to better the team], with weight training and summer practice.
The change came at the end of August. They became concerned about how the team does, instead of themselves, how to help the team get better, they became a true team.”
Blount singled out Aronis Espinal, who plays both tight end and defensive lineman positions, and is an all county player. “He is one of the leaders of the team, the kind of kid you see every 10 years. He is an emotional leader, keeps the kids focused and calm, he is probably the most respect kid on the team.”
Blount also recognized the district for backing him and the team. “I work with great teachers, coaches and this community. It’s like when we win the community wins”
When asked how the Jets learned about Blount, spokesman Meghan Gilmore said, “We review media about local high school football games and confer with Mike Quick of MSG Varsity of selecting a coach. Mike has vast knowledge of local high school sports and contacts to administrators in the New York tristate area.”
