Shawn was on the ground for about five minutes. The trainer rushed over and helped him off the field while he was in pain.  About ten minutes later he was picked up by his parents and taken to the hospital. The doctors confirmed that he had two fractures in his back, and would be on the disabled list from two to six weeks.

One week later, he went in for another evaluation, and was told that he would only be out from two to three weeks.

“It’s rough that I am missing out on a couple games’ but it’s a chance for others to step up and be a big part of the team”, said—Shawn Lashbrook. He expects to be back before the season ends.

Keep Shawn in your prayers and pray for a speedy recovery!

On that evening, during the Miami Dolphins Monday Night Football game against the New England Patriots, Shashaty was recognized by The Miami Dolphins Organization as the High School Player of the Week for his record-breaking performance against Highlands Christian Academy, where he threw for over 500 yards, 8 touchdowns and only 1 interception.

 “It was a really cool experience,” said Shashaty, who got to go down on the field at the end of the second quarter, and remained there the majority of the third quarter, right next to where all the NFL players were.

These are the kinds of nights, one might wonder, that could make a young athlete prideful, even boastful about their accomplishments, but not Shashaty.  In fact, for him it’s quite the opposite affect. He never hesitates to give all the glory to God, giving credit where credit is due.

“God has really blessed me with all these platforms—that’s what I like to call them—it just presents some really cool ways to show how God has used me that it’s not just me personally, or what I am working for, but it’s all about what He’s been doing in my life.”

This athlete’s humility and seemingly never-ending success makes him a great role model and has caused him to receive respect on and off the field. When news broke on our campus that he had been honored at the Monday Night Football game, one of America’s favorite night during the fall and winter season, Shashaty had a new list of fans yelling his name at the next CCA football home game. But the Dolphins game was forever in-printed in his mind.

“It’s every high school athlete’s dream,” he added, as recalled the night—seeing himself standing on NFL turf, surrounded by thousands of Dolphin and Patriot fans. Was he thinking of the future? Was he imagining himself playing on that field one day? Regardless of what was going through his mind, we know this: he carries the weight of the award heavily on his mind, but not the way most people might think.

“I think it’s a really awesome opportunity and with that comes a lot of responsibility, knowing that everything you do is under the spotlight, and I’ve found that out from both sides. It’s just a privilege for me to have that kind of an influence on the student body and it’s something that I do not take very lightly.”

As colleges around the country comb South Florida high schools to find the next superstar, CCA’s football quarterback is looking to play his name game. His focus is clear; his determination to win even more so, but most notably is his heart, which is connected to God. That strength is driving him and his team to success.

]]> http://www.theccamessenger.org/top-stories/2011/10/04/miami-dolphins-honor-javan-shashaty-as-high-school-player-of-the-week/feed/ 0 http://www.theccamessenger.org/sports/2011/07/18/fau%e2%80%99s-former-defensive-coordinator-comes-to-cca/ http://www.theccamessenger.org/sports/2011/07/18/fau%e2%80%99s-former-defensive-coordinator-comes-to-cca/#comments Mon, 18 Jul 2011 20:05:45 +0000 maritzacg http://www.theccamessenger.org/?p=2578 Florida Atlantic University’s defensive coordinator is coaching CCA’s football team? Yes, it is true! CCA’s new head coach for the football team is Mr. Kirk Hoza. Born on August 23, 1962 in Chicago, Illinois, Hoza started playing football at the age of seven and played until junior high. Starting college, he played basketball but soon realized he missed football too much. He transferred to a division two college, where he joined the football team and reunited with his passion.

Hoza started coaching football in 1985 and has been doing it for twenty-seven years. He is “a tireless worker and a winner at heart,” according to www.fausports.com. Hoza first coached at Port Charlotte High School as Varsity Secondary Coach, JV Head Coach, and Defensive Coordinator from 1985-1986. Sometime afterward, he transferred to Humboldt State University in California, where he was the Defensive Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator from 1996-1997.

He went on to coach at Arkansas Tech as the Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator from 1998-1999, and then moved to Florida Atlantic University to be their Defensive Coordinator and Secondary coach.

Hoza is in his second year coaching here at CCA and he is really looking forward to coaching again next year. He has really enjoyed the blessing it has been to be accepted into this CCA family and coach a group of young people that he can encourage to walk in God’s way. Last month he was able to have a meeting with the freshmen, sophomores, and juniors when he invited them and encouraged them to play football next year. Hoza is taking his time to get acquainted with the football players, really investing his time to disciple them as well as teach them his passion, football.

In the second half Dominick came out and made an opening statement with two straight tackles to stop John Paul’s offense. He finished with 246 yards and two touchdowns, as his game was essential for Calvary’s win. Head Coach, Trent Gamble said after the game “without Dominick we would not have the win.”

Dominick Pierre is the epitome of an all-around athlete, he is essential to the Eagle’s success, by leading the team to victory through his leadership and dominance on the field. He not only stars on offense as a running back, but he also leads the team’s defense as middle linebacker. He comes up with breakaway runs, and hard hitting tackles each and every game. The team looks to him when in need for a big play or a stop, but they also look up to him off the field, as he is one of the leaders for a small group Bible study the team has been doing all year. In adversity the Eagles can always count on Dominick to bring them out.

Dominick’s success on the field did not go unnoticed, when he was asked to be interviewed on WQAM a sports radio station. He says, “It was a great opportunity that most student athletes don’t have, mainly to publicize my school.” He answered simple questions explaining his strengths as an athlete, but mostly talked about the CCA football program. He said that “CCA is now on the radar,” after a public interview and the fact they have an overall record of 6-1.

Dominick was also honored at the Dolphins game last Sunday afternoon at halftime against the Saints. He was named the player of the week, which was a huge accomplishment! A teammate told Dominick to “live up to God’s glory and you will do great things for Him.” Dominick is definitely living up to God’s glory, and his accomplishments prove it. He has tremendous talents and is using them to their full capability for God.

CCA football games are jam-packed with excitement, as last week our explosive offense led the way to a 26 to 8 victory over Inlet Grove, and last Friday the Eagles went on the road and played a hard and well fought game against Pine Crest. Through all the excitement of football, it is after the game when the real story takes place. As Coach Trent Gamble stated “The guys did a great job during the game, and after.”

On August 28th, after the home victory over Inlet Grove, the CCA football players did the “one-on-one drill,” where ach player goes up to the guy that they were matched up against during the game and shares the Word of God with him. Coach Trent Gamble’s vision for this drill came through as two players and two coaches from Inlet Grove received the Lord. This is CCA athletic director, Dana Ridenour’s, main goal for CCA sports, to not only be a force on the field, but a light to the rest of the world through athletic competitions.

Every football game is not only viewed as a competition, but as an outreach, and is a chance to lead others to Christ. Dominick Pierre, one of the leaders on the football team, shared the Gospel in the middle of both teams. This provided an opportunity to pray with everyone, and even led a few players to accepting Christ.

 Football is commonly known for the hard hits and diving catches, but at CCA, God is using it in a completely different way. This truly shows that God works in mysterious and wonderful ways. Because of the simple game of football, many souls have been brought into the Kingdom for eternity.