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Luke’s dad has a saying we all repeat often: “If ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ were candy and nuts it’d be Christmas every day.” I’ve had to remind myself of that more than once since our 35-13 loss in Friday night’s round three state play off game. I know everyone says it, but the score in no way reflected the intensity of the game in which we were leading 7-6 as late as the 4th quarter. The tide turned quickly and unfortunately we just didn’t catch any breaks. But, there’s no amount of replaying the game in our minds that will change the result so – all ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ aside – it is what it is. After 13 games in which we finished 11-2, it’s time to shut down the stadium lights on the 2009 season.
If I were a man, I would recap by quoting undecipherable statistics or by telling you what a “physical” team we have become or how we have finally learned how to “put four quarters together”. However, being a girl who just recently learned to appreciate the beauty of a perfectly-executed onside kick, I can only express my thoughts through the emotion of what it felt like to sit on the edge of those bleachers with my heart in my throat Friday after Friday. It may mean nothing to a group of teenage boys that there was a middle-aged preacher’s wife in the crowd who finally wanted to understand the game because of you and I’m not asking for it to. But, you guys who know me understand that just because you don’t care won’t keep me from telling you.
I’ve never known much about the history of our school’s football team save for overhearing the retelling of past golden days by the men of our community who were either members of those teams or a witness to them. I’ve learned much about the pride our town takes in past victory. It thoroughly amuses me to watch the faces of these guys as they remember old coaches and remarkable plays. With that said, would you players like to know what you have done for those guys? For our town?
You’ve given us fresh legend.
No one has to look back any further than a couple of weeks to have a new smile on their face over your accomplishments. They don’t have to reach into past coaching eras because we have that man today who has led our team to the winningest season in school history. These men are no longer recounting the plays of when they were on the winning team because now the pinnacle of their gameday pride is in their very own sons. Boys, I hope your parents don’t mind sharing because I think I speak for our community when I say you are our sons as well. Personally, I couldn’t have been any more invested if my own kids were on that field.
No, I don’t have a child on the Varsity team yet, but I will. Would you like to know what you’ve done for them – especially the one who served as your water boy? Instead of talking about the jersey numbers of his favorite college players, he is talking about yours. He wants to emulate you. You didn’t ask to be some kid’s hero, but that doesn’t keep him from looking up to you and being proud that he was able to be a part of this history-making team in this small way. This mom thanks you for embracing him and being individuals I’m not afraid for him to esteem.
Seniors (and I’m especially talking to you, Casey, TD, and Dakota), I know it’s so hard walking off that field for the last time but as much as you have been a gift to this community, let the adoration of the crowds and the school spirit that you’ve fired be one that will be the stuff of the tales you tell someday. More than that, keep your perspective. God, not football, is life.
But I’m pretty certain He’s loved watching you, too.
We are so proud of you, boys! Thank you for a great run…You started fast, now FINISH STRONG!
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Since we are talking legend, will those of you who followed The Team comment on your favorite play of the season? It is so hard having to narrow it down to one, but mine was definitely that amazing Justin L. onside kick where our boys looked like a black thunder cloud running down that field. Beautiful. I never dreamed in my life I’d call a football play beautiful and there I just did it.
See what you boys have done to me?
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A portion of the Game Three 90 yard Spirit Line:
The Seniors and Team Captains at Game Two Coin Toss:
The Water Boy and Water Girl in Action:
Final Post-Game Prayer:
Comments
8 Responses to “Lights Out”
SO sorry y’all lost! :(
Our team lost last night too…..it’s such an let down and so sad for the Seniors to be soooo close!
Lisa, I completely understand where you are coming from! Reading your post, I cried for the 2nd time in two days over football,…. football! I would never have pictured myself screaming/cheering until I have no voice left for a team without one of my children on it, or without being 16 again wearing a cute cheerleading skirt! But those boys and coaches inspired this middle age woman, and an entire community to actually embrace football, not for the game or for the wins, but for the heart and soul they put into it. And more importantly, for the boys’ hearts off the field. We love you Hornets, win or lose, on the field and off, yesterday, today, and tomorrow!!!
So well said Karri. And Lisa, I could not have written anything better myself. Britt acutally told me to ‘calm down’ last night while listening to the game on K98…..to which I said, “Whatever!” I just love the coming together of the community to support our team! Young, middle age, or old, you can’t help but to smile when you think about this past football season! Way to go again boys and coaches! Once a Hornet, ALWAYS a Hornet!!
Lisa… Girl you know my heart is broken! I sat there thinking “this can’t possibly be happening”. I cried like a baby last night. I said I wouldn’t, but I could NOT hold it back. Those boys deserved to win. Brent deserved to win…. but it just wasn’t meant to be!!! WHY… I have no clue?? As Adam said, they will learn a lot from losing that game… as hard as it was.
I have too many great great memories from this season. Beating Pisgah was HUGE, because it made the boys believe they could win. Westbrook Christian game was HUGE too…. then they knew it wasn’t just luck the week before. Oh.. and we beat Fyffe… OH yes, we got ripped there!lol Anyways. That game gave them tons of confidence too. How about the Section game… we won big and were 3-1. Then there was Valley Head and Cole S. had a great great catch that led to a 99 yd touchdown reception. The Sand Rock game… it was one we really needed to win to help clinch a home game for playoffs… and we dominated! Then we traveled to West End… vet another victory! Then it was time for Homecoming. We beat up on the Bison 57 to 0… and we didn’t even mean to run up the score. lol. Ben is still amazed we beat them that bad. ha ha. Geraldine then rolled into town… it was a close game at first, but the Hornets took care of business. It was a must win, because it kept us tied for 1st in the Region. Had we lost we would have fell to 4th! Up next, the Rams of Sylvania. It was Thursday night and the refs didn’t show until nearly 8:30, but did our fans care…. NO… we sat there for 2 hours and waited to watch those sweet boys. The regular season ended and we were 9-1. We welcomed Lanett to town and gave them all they wanted, 34 to 7!!! Next to visit the Lineville Aggies! The place was packed like never before! Yet again…. we pulled through 20-13! Time for a road trip…. a long one! The whole town made the trip…. AND THATS ALL I WANNA TALK ABOUT! lol jk…. We played our hearts out… things just went wrong fast!
Lisa… I have typed a novel, but you know how much I love my Hornet football! So many memories, so much fun! I can’t wait until August 2010 when those Friday Night Lights come on again!! GO HORNETS GO!!!
Christina,
You totally win the recap!!! Girlfriend, you are the original Girl Fan and we all bow at your feet!! LOL
I had this whole idea for a comment including the same onside kick you talked about and how I was taking pictures that night and you could almost feel the bleachers shaking after that play……but then I read Karri’s comment and she called herself middle aged (and I”m older than her)…….and I completely lost my train of thought. lol.
Deedra and Karri…If y’all are middle aged then that just upgraded my status to senior citizen…hhahahaha… I love you girls so much!! And Deedra…did you get a picture of that kick????
By far, this season was the best ever. My favorite play was when Beau (I think. I’ve slept since then) got the ball at the Sylvania game and tore out toward the end zone breaking loose from the other team THREE TIMES on the way and making a touchdown. That was just awesome. Of course, seeing all of the seniors play for the last time Friday night was bittersweet. It’s sad that it is over, but they have accomplished so much this year. It’s great to be a Hornet!