24-14 – expanded

We will we will rock you
Sing it
We will we will rock you

–Queen

Here we go again. One year later and the Golden Falcons will again be playing for the Palomar Conference championship. This year at the Jr Pee Wee level which (to me) makes it all seem more significant since we’ve had actual playoff rounds to get to this point. Coach view them the same though 🙂 He can do that, it is through his leadership that this team has made it this far again.

Last night in the semi-final round, they played in front of a very large crowd for a Pop Warner game. Under the lights at our true home stadium with many many friends and family members there. I had been nervous since about 1:30! When I picked up SportsBoy, I could tell he was amped because he usually dawdles at childcare finishing up whatever game he is playing, but not yesterday. He saw me and flew in to get his backpack. We talked a little about the homework issue on the way home and he admitted he needed to do a sheet of math problems before the game. So he sat down to do that while I made him a light dinner and I cranked up the computer audio and we danced to AC/DC Back in Black which has become our pre-game ritual. Thus fully pumped up, we arrived at the field around 4:50 to start warming up. Just as I had on Saturday, I told him to try and get that ball every play and make them regret ever passing in his direction.  Oh, did he come up BIG! First of all this team had only given up one touchdown in 9 previous games. What did our team do? Scored one on the first possession with a gorgeous pass from #7 (who had his best game passing) to #14 who is a bull dog of a receiver. Our kicker, #12 had his best day ever as well and easily kicked for the extra 2 points. On Carlsbad’s next possession, #55 (SB) snagged interception #1 on the night and *nearly* ran it back for a touchdown. No matter, #33 took it the rest of the way in and then #12 kicked through another one and we up early 16-0.  That seemed to wake up the other team and they scored once just before the half and made their kick after to make it 16-8. Then they scored late in the 3rd quarter after a very long drive down the field and I was getting a little worried. A made extra point kick would tiw the game. Then the snap to the kicker went over his head and he had to fall on the ball and the lead was maintained – 16-14. At that moment I knew momentum had swung back to our side. It was our team’s turn to put together a killer drive down the field and punch in a third touchdown. When our kicker knocked in extra point conversion #3 (3 for 3 on the night for him – tremendous!), we were up 24-14 with just 2:44 left to play. With so little time left, it was inevitable that Carlsbad would run some pass plays and try to get one completed deep. The first one they tried landed in #55 hands again. This was a rather spectacular catch too – he got a step ahead of the receiver and pulled the ball in with his back to the play kind of over his shoulder. He was brought down immediately and actually ended up with some of his won guys on top of him and as he was hit, he was speared right under his shoulder pads in the center of his chest and then he fell on the ball for good measure. So he, came up slowly and got to the sideline and then just fell over on his back with the wind really knocked out of him. He was fine after a few minutes and got himself together to celebrate the victory as the offense rolled the last of the time off the clock. And THEN we could breathe too!! My mom says they need a defibrillator at these games in order for grandparents to last through them! Shoot, I think the parents need it!! 

Heading for home after SB gathered his things and went home with his dad, I contacted SP and since he was out having dinner with vendors from his work (Ruth Chris – it was his payback for San Antonio!), I decided I could not deal with going home to an empty house so I went to the local pizza and brewery place for a beer and some spaghetti to try and wind down. I pull into the parking lot and who do I see? Our coaches and a couple of kids and dads!! They had all sent their kids home with their moms and were gathering to unwind themselves. They very graciously let me join them – someone even ended up paying for the whole thing and I got to listen to them dissect the game. That was just priceless. We have the best coaching staff. I mean it. They are probably a better overall unit than many high school staffs. And I never tire of hearing them talk football strategy. We closed the restaurant and then I finally met SP at home and filled *him* in on everything and THEN I was finally able to get to sleep. It was just a perfect night :->

And now – is it Saturday yet???