Showing posts with label Nick Novak. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nick Novak. Show all posts

Friday, February 27, 2015

Meet Wildcat Nose Tackle DJ Ingram

Meet Wildcat nose tackle DJ Ingram aka Divonte Ingram
That is in case you don't know who this powerhouse is on or off the field; the El Camino senior brings it, not only on the turf, but also through his example in unfavorable times. In a 4–3 defensive set, nose tackles are rather quick and supposed to "shoot the 'A gap' and beat the center and very likely the weak-side or pulling guard into the backfield.  Illustrating exactly what Divonte is doing and what we all are praying for!

Mid November, his senior year on the field came to a halt or if you know DJ, I should say pause, he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) a very rare form of cancer for someone his age.  Life drastically changed from the line to aggressive chemotherapy and the confines of a hospital.

What followed, a community that embraced the 17 year old;  blood drives, prayers, Chargers player visits, an overwhelming of love from not just Oceanside, but one that stretched throughout high schools and towns all the way through the North County and into San Diego, even nationally. A flanking of well wishes, prayers, PMA, support and aide.  He impacted us all, even Silver Pigskin finalist, Frank Buncom IV, used his interview with KUSI to speak of the need and helped with starting a fund to help him through Mission Federal Credit Union, under the name of “Divante “DJ” Ingram, AML fund”.
“Sometimes you’ve got to get the spotlight shined on you in order to pass it on to some other people who really need it,” said Buncom. “This format allowed me to get my message broadcast out, but it was less about my commitment and more about DJ Ingram. I wanted to shine a light on him.”
Dreams of UCLA on his radar, but all DJ wants is to get back to ECHS, he is planning to go to Palomar to play with the intent to become a Bruin in the future.  Obvious love for football and hoops, a former center for the Rough Riders, but he’s quite an engineer as well. With more hurdles to overcome his selflessness shines always for the other kids in the hospital with him.  He and fellow patience are in need of blood, if your Type A or Type O, you can go donate blood for DJ at any Kaiser Blood Bank, just specify for DJ and if your not, but still want to give, your gift will help others.

The love that has showered him on his road to recovery is just an indication of how he has touched us all, and the man he is, confirming the strength, dignity and respect Divonte permeates even through this adversity. His gratitude for every tweet, text, visit, prayer, blood drive is overwhelming and just as he is overcome by the love anyone who has met him feels the same.

“He seemed to be in good spirits and really excited to meet us that day.  We were just as excited!!!
  Nick Novak, The Chargers placekicker expressed about a visit with Melvin Ingram and added,
"Athletes have many things in common, one quality for me stands out...Ingram is resilient, he's a fighter and as tough as they come.  It makes no sense that Ingram or any kids for that matter would have to deal with this kind of adversity at such a young age. I have no doubt God will be at his side throughout this process every step of the way.   My thoughts and prayers are with the Ingram’s and the El Camino high school family.”


Continued prayers and PMA DJ, we’re all rooting for you!!

Friday, October 3, 2014

Jets Run to Chargers


Chargers take their thirds, in the W column taking down the Jaguars, 33-14, third consecutive win and at the Q, as they host their third home game Sunday at 3-1 vs. the 1-3 NY Jets. Thirds are also in, as injuries compile in San Diego, pink and awareness brought to not just the field, but to the community, a broadcast appearance nationwide and even the third AFC Player of the Week awarded along with one more for the month, a theme of trios for the Bolts.

Pink scattered all over as you all know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month everywhere including fields all over football stadiums in the NFL, college and high school, players are clad in pink cleats, bands, gloves, its safe to say that pink is in abundance. However in San Diego, the Chargers have taken it one step further for the second year at the Q and quadrupled their efforts on a one of a kind event joining forces with Susan G. Komen giving free mammograms and breast exams to all in attendance that would be 700. Big props filled with applause to the Chargers Organization on going above and beyond with such an amazing event.

“Look at the pink house the Chargers built here today for the women of San Diego,” said Susan G. Komen Executive Director Laura Farmer Sherman.  “We expect 1,000 women will show up here today to get a free mammogram.  If anything is found on that mammogram, the Chargers and Susan G. Komen will step in to pay for everything that that women need.  (From) biopsies, MRI’s, ultrasounds, surgery, meal delivery if she has chemotherapy and free chemotherapy; everything that she needs.  That’s the power of pink.  The Chargers are the only NFL team taking the pink off the field and into action right here in our community.”

 #JAXvsSD

Chargers kept the Jaguars winless and took their third win, Phillip Rivers unbelievably good once again (29/39 with 377 yards and 3 TDS) along with his 24th consecutive game with a TD and with having two receivers with over 100 yards. Huge deserving congrats to AFC Player of the Month, Phillip Rivers! The fantasy combo of the week, once again, was Rivers to Royal for 2 TD’s, 5 for 105 yards. Malcolm Floyd with 1 TD, Keenan Allen had personal best with 10 receptions for 135 yards and made appearances on NFL Turning Point along with NFL Total Access this week.
Defense shined with three turnovers, two INTs, Eric Weddle and Brandon Flowers' crazy catch. Jarret Johnson popped a ball out and Donald Butler recovered. Defense had 75 total tackles, 3 sacks, 5 QB hits and 7 tackles for a loss with 3 pass deflections. Both Kendall Reyes and Corey Liuget were gracious in welcoming rookie QB Blake Bortles to the NFL. While were doing introductions, I have to share one of my new favorite illustrators, Bobby Rubio, not only a Pixar artist he’s a Chargers reared fan.

That’s three weeks in a row a Chargers player has been honored as the AFC Player of the Week, this week its Special Teams, congratulations to Nick Novak who kicked his heart out Sunday with 5 field goals (33’, 34’, 23’ and a 37’) plus 3 PATS, that’s 15 points of the 33 scored. Also, became the franchise's all time leader in field goal percentage!


Redzone, Run and Injury Plagued 

The Achilles heel and fortunately there are no players with that injury however there are more than a practice squad of players on the injury report. The Cons unfortunately still the run with a total of 42 yards and keeping Rivers at the number 3 rusher for the team.  The continued inability to run will keep you from winning games, Period!!! The run to keep defenses honest doesn’t work unless you can, few more issues, with a third center in four weeks, to be expected, but at least 4 false starts in the exchange, fumbled snap most likely on Rivers.  Zero for four in the red zone and missed points on a turnover, but low and behold the Chargers keep winning!
Tom Tellesco, GM on the run and getting Mathews back. "The good thing is the offense as a whole is playing very very well, were moving the ball, were converting on 3rd downs and were averaging over 25 points a game, so those are the good things. It's week 4 going into week 5 and we still got a lot of things to work on and the run games one of them, but we need to get this thing clicking before Ryan gets back and when Ryan gets back we'll be even better at that point."
Hosting the New York Jets will be a hot one as the heat wave continues in San Diego along with an angry wounded animal, lead by Rex Ryan coming in to the Q possessing the second rushing team in the NFL, with 151 yards a game average. The two headed running Jets beasts, Chris Johnson (41 carries for 167 yards, 1 TD) and Chris Ivory (50 carries for 274 yards and 2 TD’s). Coming it at number 3 is QB, Geno Smith with 88 yards, Rivers has some company, and Smith also comes in with 5 INTs overshadowing his 4 passing TD’s. And hence one more issue for the Chargers to prepare for the QB controversy going on in New York, Geno or will it be Vick or will it be both?
Last three meetings, Jets with three edge over the Chargers by one and run again, yes Jets are 2nd in the league while Chargers are 2nd to the worst at 31st, NY defense 2nd to SD’s 9th, Chargers passing is 5th in the league, led by no other than the AFC Player of the Month.

Chargers Leaders

Passing:  Rivers - 96-137, 1155 yds, 9 tds

Rushing:  Brown - 50 car, 100 yds, 0 tds

Receiving:  Allen - 22 rec, 244 yds, 0 tds

With all the defects mentioned, I still think the Chargers find a way to win, as I have expressed, so much family so much team in and out of the locker room, there is truly something magical going on, even with injuries, players and coaches are rallying together with talent, passion, love and respect.   I'll finish with a pretty cool package done by Fox 5 on a 98-year-old Charger's fan who has only missed four home games since 1961.




If your headed to the game, stay cool, should be another hot one at the Q!  Dynamite week wishes!  I’m out!

Desiree
You can follow me on insta or twitter @desiree_astorga
First Downs and Flip Tricks
Time out with Desiree, the silver linings An optimistic realist with intermittent football tourettes all the while searching for the 3rd dimension.
Photographer, producer, host, reporter, radio & TV, One-man-army, artist, skateboarder