Football Finality Finally

Last night was the final Friday night lights night for Junior, aka #3.
Since he started playing high school football, I have looked forward to this moment in time with a mix of emotions.
On one hand, I love that he loves it and I truly love watching him play.
On the other hand, I've dreaded that he might get hurt, ... the kind of hurt that follows ex-football players the rest of their life.
So I held my breath a little during that final game last night. He had made it this far, would the knee injury (... or worse) happen in this last game ?



It didn't.
In fact we played an amazing game and controlled the field all night. Junior caught difficult passes, made touchdowns, kicked field goals, and tackled in a display of multitasking awesomeness ... as if to say, "Hey, watch me go out with a bang!"

He made 7 out of 8 field goal attempts.

I think he missed this pass, but ... does he look cool,or what?

That Eagle spirit was watching over him I guess, because he didn't even seem sore after the game was over.

He doesn't always get chances to tackle due to his receiver role, but he played almost the entire game last night and wore many hats ... er, helmets.


It was not just the final season game, but also Senior Night. Senior student/athletes from football, band, and soccer were all honored at half time.

I don't think you could have asked for a more perfect Senior Night. The air was crisp, we won the game, and the seniors, not just Junior, had tons of playing time and made some amazing plays.

Without a doubt, the most amazing play of the night was made by Junior's lifelong friend, Kelby. Kelby is the quarterback and in one particular play, after the ball was snapped, it appeared he was getting sacked.

The announcer even began to pronounce the play as a loss, "AND IT LOOKS LIKE A LOSS OF YARDS FOR THE EAGLES ... NO, WAIT! HE'S BROKEN THAT TACKLE AND ..."

You probably had to be there, but picture the quarterback falling back as the opposing players close in, surely this is a sack, ...they grab him, he breaks free, zigzags ... you think well okay, maybe we will get a few yards out of this, ... and then he emerges from a crowd of opponents and flies about 60 yards down field for a touchdown.

Wowsers.

It was pretty.

Kelby is the handsome dark haired guy in the picture below.

These two have been best buds since they met in kindergarten. It is that rare friendship that lasts for a lifetime and will benefit them both as they go forward. They have both grown into two fine young men who are the complete package ... brains, muscle, honor.

Last night will also stick with them for a lifetime, one of those shining moments, they will recall and rehash, over and over again ... and so they should.

It was just a little magical out there last night.

So, Football ends.

Basketball practice begins at 10:00 am this morning.