How did the Pack do?
We won yesterday.
There are three teams in our town (besides the several other teams
in the neighboring towns).
We played our town's Team B. Next week we take on Team C.
The first half was very close.
We led 9-7. Our defense scored a safety.
Because the team was from our town, a little more pressure
was on us coaches. It's pressure that should not be there.
But for what ever reason, there is the smallest amount of
bragging rights that go along with a win during these games.
It's a infinitesimal amount of smugness that you are
entitled to have for the rest of the year each time you
bump into that coach in the parking lot of Walmart or while
glimpsing across the pews at church.
Certainly a far reach from winning a Superbowl ring... <g>
However, the need to win is present at these games.
The head coaches see each other throughout the year on a
monthly basis at the league coaching meetings. They all
nudge each other, jokingly, as to who has the better team, etc.
Besides that unnecessary pressure, as I looked over the top
of my huddle I could see see their defensive coordinator
was a guy I coached with last year. So for what ever
reason, we both think in the back of our mind that if our
kids make a nice play, somehow it adheres to the coach.
Personally I try not to get caught up in all of it but
something kicks in when I see their coach doing a sack
dance after a botched pass play.
A quick pep talk in the huddle that communicated just how
important a touchdown would be right about now, was all it
took.
Power Left formation, Vinny sweep right was the play I
called.
(That's a fancy way of saying "Run a reverse".)
Little Vinny had another game breaking touchdown with under
a minute to go. Sixty yards worth of zigging and zagging and
a foot race to the endzone. His father had Notre Dame's
scouts on the phone while his mother tried to negotiate a
sneaker contract.
I think next week's game will be even closer.
Sometimes I peek at what they are doing during practice.
Seems like they have a little bit of speed.
It has the making of a real battle. At least in the minds
of the opposing coaches...
It certainly is silly.
However, if we win I won't have to see any smugness for a
year and can turn down each aisle of the supermarket
without having to worry that an opposing coach is standing
there.
There is a very big grin attached to this post.
For what ever reason, there is also a tiny "<No Grin>"
hanging onto the bottom of it as well.
-Clappy |
