All-American Game

Ok yes readers I haven't posted a blog in a while but to my credit I am going to be filling in at a later date. Our season ended with us winning the division title and losing in the first round to the Showgirls...just to catch you up.

I was honored that I got selected to be on the All-American team for my conference. In addition to that Lisa, Teters, and Tucker got selected to the first team. T-Dawg and Rainbow got selected to the 2nd team. I was so proud of us to have so many selections as a first year team.

So what happened in Vegas? It stays there? Naw I shall divulge.

My parents surprised me a couple of weeks ago by telling me not only were they going to buy my plane ticket but they were coming too. Friday at 4:30am I got up and got ready to go to the airport. Lisa's flight was an hour before ours so we were just going to go to the airport together. Ryan dropped us off and we went to Jamba Juice to get what is now a ritual smoothie before taking early morning flights for football. I swear every time the same girl is working.

Lisa left to catch her flight and I sat there for a bit drinking my smoothie and texting my friend Jen about how excited I was. Kind of like a it was my football Christmas morning.

Finally, my parents arrived and we all checked in and boarded the plane for Vegas. We took off around 7:15 am and although I had not slept a whole lot the night before, I had a hard time sleeping on the plane. For one thing, I was sitting in between my parents and they were both excited too and talking my ear off. So I tried to focus on reading my book on the development of the city of New York. Yes, people I am a nerd. But I found out the origin of wearing a baseball cap sideways...bet you didn't know that! (Bowery area boys trying to rebel)

We landed around 9:30am. This being my 3rd trip to Vegas in 2 months made me the tour guide for my parents as we found our way to the baggage claim. We found Lisa there waiting for us. As I saw my football bag coming around the corner of the conveyor belt and then I saw one of my cleats...WTF?! Apparently one had fallen out of the side pocket which was half open. Thank god I found it lol

My parents took a cab to their hotel which was the Red Rock over by the field we were going to play at and Lisa and I took a cab to our hotel which was the Super 8. You see we decided that since we have already been to Vegas twice we were content paying a lot less for a room that was next to everything anyways.

We checked in and dropped off our stuff and ate lunch at Ellis Island. It was pretty damn good and well priced for Vegas. Then we went back and took a nap. Ok, well Lisa passed out and I slept like 20 minutes at time before waking up again.

The rest of our group had decided to drive down and they got to our room around 1pm. We stuffed 6 of us into that room. Me, Lisa, Tracy, Red, Terina, and Chew. We made that shit work! When you travel as much as we have this year you don't really care anymore lol

Our hotel was literally around the corner from the Tuscany which was where most of the players were staying. Lisa and I went to the hotel around 3pm to register and get our jerseys. Teters met us up there. It was pretty cool being in the same room with so much talent. Our jerseys were red.

We ran into some of the Central Cal girls which was cool. We also ran into some of the Utah Blitz players. I think we have a natural bond because we are in the same division.

Then my team had apparently not gotten the memo that the practice field was NOT where we were going to play the game and we drove all the way out there to find no one there and had to drive all the way back and ended up late to the practice which sucked cuz you're hot and sticky in the car and trying to find the place. But we did.

We arrived at the practice field and threw our shit on and ran onto the field. I got selected as a corner so I found my defensive group. I knew some of them from my division and got to meet the rest. I loved the fact I was talking to players from Iowa and Memphis and all over. I really enjoyed our coach as well.

We went over where everyone was playing and general formations and play calling. We were going to try to keep it as simple as possible because it's hard meshing like that in a couple hours of practice. What cover 3 means to one team might mean something to another. Then we went against the Offense a bit so they could practice their plays.

After practice we went back to the hotel to shower and get dressed cuz we were going to do something for Lisa's birthday. I met up with Angie and her crew at the Tuscany and we walked back to Ellis Island where Lisa and I had had lunch. We put in a reservation as we waited for the rest of my team to meet us up. Angie and I played some of the slots. It took forever for us to get all seated but we eventually did. It was cool having both teams at the same table cuz we were pretty big rivals during the season.

After dinner my team decided they were going to back to the hotel but I was wanting to get out so I went with the Central Cal team. We walked down to the strip and in and out of Casinos before we finally ended up at the Krave club. It was pretty cool. And yes people from Portland can dance ok? :) Well until a gay boy wearing nothing but a thong backs his ass into you until you almost fall over...then it's a bit harder...

We left the club and I got to sleep about 1am. I woke up around 10am very excited for the game. I went to the store and re-stocked up on water, gatorade, and fruit which is very necessary in the Vegas heat. It wasn't as bad as the first 2 times we played there but still hot. I hung out in the hotel room and then Angie and I went to the deli where I go a roast beef sandwich. In case you wanted to know.

Then my team left for the field around 2 15pm. Our teammates dropped us off by the locker rooms. Lisa and I found our side and started getting ready. I set up shop in the last row next to a couple of players from Houston. We compared notes on how hard it was to find good white football pants and they shared with me them teasing their teammates who were coming in the last minute about not getting their jerseys for them when in fact they had. Sounded like something I would do to my teammates. Everyone piled in the locker room getting ready in their own ways.

Then we walked onto the field. I looked up and down our sideline amazed at the size and talent and proud to be wearing a red jersey...although I kept looking down expecting to see purple and was thrown off by the red...It was funny to me that whenever I said I was from Portland people would be like "oh you guys are the purple team".

We went through warm ups pretty excited but relaxed. Then it came time for kick off. At practice we had been told we would figure out special teams pre-game. Our team was going to receive the kick off and I got thrown onto the first line. I had never played on the first line on my teammate cuz I normally receive kick offs but I was like ok...umm...find a player and hit them...ok I can do that...

I had the honor of working with a good group of db's. We had a 4 play rotation worked out. We communicated very well in my group I think. The first half was basically a defensive battle as both offenses were struggling to mesh their players together and get them on the same page. I had a couple of tackles and contained on the outside. I did have a penalty when the receiver turned into me and fell. Everyone was surprised at the flag but oh well...best db's have the worst memories...

First half ended 0-0 and as I was running into the locker room to get my stuff with a couple other of my teammates I was joking and asking what happens if we have to go into overtime.

As we ran back onto the field Lisa and I heard our section yelling for us. I have to say I think we had the loudest group lol It was pretty special to me that all these people were supporting us.

The 2nd half the offenses started to click more. The national team struck first. I almost caught the girl close to the goal line but missed the angle.

Our offense marched back down and answered.

Then we got a pick and eventually scored again.

We took the win 13-7.

After the game we took pictures and I found my parents and teammates.

Angie and I got national championship t-shirs which are pretty cool.

I found my team sitting up with the Utah Blitz. We sat together and watched the national championship game. Apparently they find my team entertaining and have been following my facebook posts. And they loved teasing chewy about how young she looks.

Before the championship game they announced the awards and our team won the Rookie Team of the Year which was pretty damn cool. We got a little trophy. It was awesome because we worked so so hard to do this. We scrapped and clawed and raised around 40,000 ourselves without a specific owner. We ALL owned this team. WE did this. Together. It made me so proud that all that work was being rewarded.

The game itself was a good game. Columbus came out strong but the Mustangs came back to win it which was cool cuz they are from our conference. I tapped the celebration at the end because I want to use it for motivation. I want to feel that with my team. And dear god they grow em big in Texas. Just saying.

We went back to the hotel room and got showered and ready and then hit the strip. We ate panda express and then wondered over to the Belagio to meet up Tracy's friend who was randomly in town. She was pretty hilarious and was with her best friend who was just as fun.

Half our group was tired so they went back to the hotel. The rest of us wondered in and round Caesar's Palace. We then left the strip to meet up the Central Cal group who was at Free Zone, a gay club.

Little did we know how damn far we were from there. It took us about an hour to get there, stopping to get drink re-fills along the way. Then Tracy had to pee. We were around the Tuscany and she found a bush. We were admiring the cockroaches on the sidewalk and waiting for her. Then we saw a security guard making his rounds and we were like shit! He walked right by Tracy and didn't see her until in a drunken yell, (tracy didn't know why were staring at her with concerned stares) Tracy bops up her head from the bush and says "HELLLLOOO GUYS!" and he turned around confused as we all ran around the corner laughing hysterically.

After a long ass walk we found the club. Then they wouldn't let me in cuz I had a jersey on. So I borrowed sarah's wife beater. We had a couple drinks and danced a bit. Yes I got on the pole. No, you can't watch.

Then we left trying to go another club. It was closed so we decided we wanted to go to Hooters. Lisa the human GPS she is saw the sign for Hooters and we decided to go on an adventure/short cut. This consisted of going through a fence, walking by a canal which we thought might have dead bodies, then finding stones on which we could cross, walking through another break in the fence, crossing through an abandoned desert of a field, and back onto the street where Hooters was. It was a bit like a movie.

Angie, Melissa, and I got to Hooters first cuz the rest had gone to the store. We walked into the back and found the pool and got drinks and sat in the lounge chairs. Then Angie and I went to the blackjack table and she won like 10 bucks thanks to her wearing my armband. Ok really it's cuz she's good at it.

Then we all met up at a cafe and had breakfast at 5 30 am as the sun was coming up. We were exhausted from walking and all ordered cabs thinking we were really far away but the cab ride was like 6 bucks cuz we werent. We crashed in around 6am.

I woke up at like 9:30am and showered cuz one of the bad things about Vegas is all the smoke everywhere which makes you feel sticky and grungy after going out.

We packed all our shit up. I was the only one in my group that was flying out. The rest were driving back. I said goodbye to Angie and the Central Cal girls and then my team gave me a ride to my parents hotel.

I have to say, no wonder I didn't hear much from them. That place is amazing. It's called the Red Rock and it has a hotel and casino of course and like 6-7 places to eat and 2-3 clubs, and a movie theater and bowling alley, and huge ass pool with techno music playing outside. One could easily stay there and never leave the hotel.

My teammates and I ate lunch at a cafe and the food was amazing. We embarrassed the hell out of Lisa by singing happy birthday to her.

Then my teammates left and I wondered around playing the slots. There happened to be an international kids hop hop competition there that weekend so I saw all these cute Japanese kids with braids, wearing track suits and sneakers.

My parents and I took a cab around 6pm for the airport. Our flight left around 8 and we landed at 10:15pm. They dropped me home, dropped my bags in my room, checked facebook, and CRASHED.

What an epic weekend.