By the Numbers

In honor of Tyler’s last football game…

6 Seasons of Football

63 Games Played

1 Trip to Urgent Care (Stitches)

1 Game Missed

1 Touchdown

575 Practices

75 Rolls of Athletic Tape

862 Bottles of Gatorade

1,900++ Hours

Oh, and…

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.

Yep, It’s Football Season

Exhibit “A”

Happy Birthday, Dionne!

Here we are… ready for a hot date on the town!

Football games are done for the weekend, we thought we’d hit a discotheque.

What? You didn’t know Santa Clarita had any dicos?

They do when Dionne turns 40!

  

Biehahns in vintage 70’s attire (and hair)

 

Tricia also wore vintage…this little orange number was her mother’s.

Brandon (center) also wore his dad’s clothes.  Here he is escorting his lovely wife, Jill Monroe.  Just in case you don’t remember her, here’s what Jill looked like in the 70’s:

I love this girl!  Only for her would I have gone out of the house looking like this!  Happy Birthday Dionne!

Lesson from Childhood Unlearned

Or we could entitle this post:

“I Told You So!”

or

Testosterone and Packages

I’m sure all parents can relate to this little scene…

Mom:  “[insert kid’s name here]! Stop hitting him!  Ok that’s it!  You’re in time out!”

Kid 1:  “But Mom! He hit me first!”

Kid 2":  “Did not!”

Repeat and add layers of detail, finger pointing and accusation.  The weary mother has no idea who did what but she only saw the final meltdown in Kid 1. Kid 1 gets punished while Kid 2 hides a knowing smile. 

Dad:  “You can only call what you see.  It’s always the retaliator that gets it the worst.  Know it. Learn it.”

I know you know what I’m talking about.

Now.  Go with me to a lighted football stadium full of several thousand spectators.  There are 22 of these “kids” on the field with only a few “moms” wearing zebra costumes.  Course, the “kids” are all now young men weighing between 150 and 300+ lbs. and have come padded up for a little rumble.

You’re getting the picture.   Kid 2 is smart.  He gets his licks in surreptitiously.  He pins Kid 1.  He squeezes the package.  Kid 2 lashes out to free himself.  Kicks indiscriminately.  Hits paydirt.  Gets up and walks away.  Kid 2 is alone on the field writhing in pain.

And that’s what got Tyler (Kid 1) kicked out of the game in the 3rd quarter of the game last week.  Per CIF rules he could not play last night either.  He’ll be back next week.  Fortunately, Saugus won both games as he paced and cheered on his team and lamented the unfairness of it all.

In Honor of the First Football Game of the Season

Kenny Chesney - The Boys of Fall (Official Music Video). Watch more top selected videos about: Kenny Chesney

(thanks Cindy Kramer...)

Football. Such an insular world.  Lots of good, some bad too.

I have more thoughts on football/competition...coming soon.  (I know you're on the edge of your seat now!)

But today, today...today we focus on the good--watching our son start his senior season of football after six long years.  You always begin the season with a perfect record.  And whatever happens over the course of the next few months, you're a winner every time you step on the field.  Go Cents!