Season Update 5-20-11

Ok, so according to various sources the world is going to end tomorrow. I guess this means I should update my blog. I'll be ready with my helmet tomorrow. God has a sense of humor. :)

This has been a difficult and trying season up-to-date but I have long learned football is a metaphor for life and that shit happens. It's if you get back up that matters.

PRE-SEASON GAME
We began with a pre-season game against the Seattle Majestics. We came into this game with a lot of hopes to take our team to the next level this season. We had a new coaching staff, a lot of talented rookies, and a new offense. The outcome of this game made it evident to us that all those changes meant we would have to work out some kinks. We only lost 14-0 and it was a good experience to get the rookies some work before the actual season began but still no one likes to lose. On top of it our starting quarterback took an awkward hit and blew her ACL.

GAME 1: @ Bay Area
We re-grouped going into the official first game of the WFA season against the Bay Area Bandits. Our back up quarterback has all the tools necessary to run that spread offense we had developed. We had weapons. She is athletic, quick, strong, and poised. This was set up to be her break out game.

Then hell broke lose. The 2nd offensive play of the game she took a hit and her forearm broke into two and she got taken away in an ambulance. Our 3rd string quarterback already had a broken middle finger, our 4th string quarterback broke her thumb. Tracy took a hit and suffered a strained back and concussion and left on a stretcher. It was like a nightmare game. When you are down to quarterback 6 who has never taken a snap in her life it's difficult to move the ball. That being said we hung in there the best we could against a good team.

On a side note, when paramedics were attending to Tracy and we were huddled up close to our sideline trying to keep our heads on...a cop drove his car onto the field at full tilt...I thought he was going to do a power slide but he stopped at the 40 yard line, got out of the car, and sprinted to the ambulance...Apparently, they thought it was a shooting...

I don't think I have ever seen that in a football game ever.

Game 2: vs. Utah Blitz (Comcast week)

We had been notified that Comcast Sports Net Northwest had a new reality show called Adrenaline Hunter in which the winner of a previous show would go around doing kick-ass things in the Northwest. Her name is Bethy and some of the previous episodes were her hunting boar and cougars. They were interested in having Bethy participate on our team for a week and in a game and filming it for an episode.

I have to say I was pretty geeked about this. I am a complete sports nut. I'm always listening to sports radio, watching games, reading articles on espn.com. I knew this would be some great exposure for us but I wasn't quite sure what to expect when she came to practice.

When we got to practice that week there were cameras everywhere and it was POURING. They had big cameras, little cameras, big mics, small mics. Initially, it was a little difficult running through offensive plays and trying not to run over the camera guy but by the 2nd practice I felt used to them being around. That entire week it rained like Noah was going to build an Arc. It was cold but probably some extra drama for the production.

Due to our ridiculous amount of injuries at the quarterback position we gave her a shot at quarterback. For not having played football at all she did well. She had an arm, compusure, and natural athletic ability. When it came to the game itself she made a couple of rookie type mistakes but that is just due to lack of experience. She seemed to take well to football as well. I could tell she liked it.

During the game we moved the ball well but had trouble scoring which will happen with all the changes we made. Our defense had a great game and we shut them out. The final score was only 6-0 but we played better than that score.

Game 3: @ Spokane

The drive up to Spokane was some fun bonding time with Ashley and Erin. We listened to music, told stories, and figured out what we are all going to be for Halloween. I won't give it away here because it will truly be worth the wait.

We stopped at a rest stop about 30 minutes from Spokane and we were coming out of the bathroom when apparently CJ and Wilson had stopped at the same rest stop and Wilson decided to scare us half to death. The expression on Ashley's face was priceless.

We arrived at our hotel in Spokane which is a nice hotel but with a very confusing layout. The weather was perfect at that point. Sun and a nice breeze. Until the last time we came out of the locker room and it was pouring. The field was grass. We were in for a Mud Bowl.

This was Spokane's first home game ever in their team's history so it was pretty big for them. Our offense found itself in the 2nd half and we won 12-0. I left covered in mud but happy.

We later went down to the hotel bar where we apparently interupted the Housewives of Spokane County and their party but we ended up having a great time.

Game 4: vs. Bay Area

By the time this game had started we had suffered several season-ending injuries. That is not a good thing going into a game against a good team who has numbers. We lost again to them but learned a couple of things to change.

We got invited by them to kick it after the game and I had decided after people were either tired or going to the Blitz bar that I'd stop by and hang with them for a short bit before heading out. I ended up staying for an hour and I'm now forever known to them as "Portland".

Just so we are clear. I'm a fierce competitor. I will knock your ass down and then pick your ass up. I sometimes get a bit fiesty. One has to have that mentality when playing football to survive. But after the game we are all playing the same sport that we love. I have developed several good relationships with people from different teams and I think it actually makes it more fun. It's what I loved most about the All-American game. You walk into a room with people from all across the country and you have never met them and you already have a bond. It's awesome.

Game 5: vs. Spokane

Spokane definitely is improving. We had to make some adjustments to our defense but I think the 2nd half of this game was our best half all year. Our offense continuity was better and defensively we came together. In a season that has been full of constant change and uncertainty it was a great feeling. We walked of winners of a 22-12 score.

Now we have a 2 week bye which is exactly what we need. We need to heal. We sit at 3-2 and in the division lead. We play at Utah June 4th which will likely be for the division. We have to rest up to take it home during the last stretch of the season. We aren't done yet.

Looking back over the first half of the season I have learned some things. I have learned more than ever before that football is as much about mentality as it is about athletic talent. You can have athletic talent but if you don't have the mental strength to endure pain, mistakes, defeat, injuries, and things going wrong, then you are in the wrong sport. It's what makes football beautiful. It's the sport of getting knocked down and getting back up. It's what I love about it.

I have also learned that like life there are some things you just can't control. You can't control freak injuries and everything that happens on that field. All you can control is yourself and your reactions. You have to fight any fear and become a solution. You never give up. Never. Down the road never giving up will mean the difference between good and great.