Glory Days

If the season ended today, I think it would be a success.  Tyler had one of “those” games.  I couldn’t slow down my heartbeat for at least 24 hours after it was over!

Justin had a magical varsity experience.  It was just the right group of young men at the right time.  His senior year, his team went undefeated in league, beating Hart (first time since the 70’s) and Valencia (cross town rivals), and going deep into the playoffs (knocked out by perennial football powerhouse St. Bonaventure). 

Tyler’s first season of varsity was good for him personally, but his team stalled out and didn’t go to playoffs after losing a coin toss (there was a 3-way tie for 3rd).  I just wanted him to have that ONE game—you know, where your team overcomes and wins the game when no one thought you could.  Where the team is more than the sum of its parts. Gravy:  the opposing team is Hart or Valencia. 

This was that game. 

(Tyler is #68 in pictures, he plays center) 

Let me set the scene:  This was the 2nd league game for both teams, both coming in with 1 loss, but pretty equal pre-season records.  The local sportswriters picked Hart across the board to stomp.  Our QB had been injured the previous week and would not play.  Likewise, one of our captains, a linebacker had been taken away in an ambulance and would play, but was still compromised.

First half.  We are tearing them up defensively, but they still manage to score 14 points.  Our offense can’t get anything going.  Penalties are killing us.  Interceptions don’t help.  Not looking good.

 

Second half.  All Saugus.  The offense was amazing.  They don’t give up.  The defense keeps on keeping on, stopping Hart each time.  Their QB never knows where the blitz is coming next and gets really skittish. They hurt themselves with penalties and interceptions.

Hart gets the ball back with 3 minutes left (way too much time!  We did not come here to tie!)  But the defense does their job and more.  Too bad for Hart, it was their Homecoming!

Words can’t describe the awesomeness of this game.  As I type, it’s just not coming through.

  But Tyler knows.

 

And no one can take that away.

 

Even better that Grandpa George was there to share.

 

We won the next week too.  The Signal Headline:

“Call them contenders”

 

That’s what I’m talking about.