Okay, the continual catch-up!
Last fall Dallin & McCade played football. I really wasn't sure what to expect. The previous seasons had been fun, if not frustrating.
But THIS was the year it all changed.
Dallin made up his mind, and when that kid makes up his mind it happens. He isn't vocal about it, he doesn't even expect anyone to notice.
But notice - that is what the coach did.
Dallin decided that he really loves football, and that he really wanted to play A LOT.
He went from the kid in the middle of the crowd, to the kid first after very drill. He quit letting himself get manhandled and PUSHED BACK. He quit being nice on the field and got physical.
And man-o-man, did it surprise the heck out of his coach.
It surprised him so much that he took us aside and asked us what we had done.
Nope, can't take the credit for it, the kid did it ALL BY HIMSELF.
By the end of the season, they were undefeated and playing in the championships and Dallin had been a starter
ALL SEASON LONG.
He played right guard. Truth be known, he was so fierce the first few weeks of practice that the kids who's spot he took quit football altogether.
(This is last year in a short series of pictures)
In the end, Dallin's team lost the championship not because the other team was better, but because they simply ran out of time to play.
He also played football this spring with the team a grade older than he is. Which means the kids he played with less than 12 weeks ago are now the top-notch Freshman Team.
I haven't been to many of his practices this year. I used to go because that was the only time I could see him play because he didn't play much in games, but that is no longer the case.
Shane & I stopped by practice the other day to see how things were going and the coach took us aside again.
Again he praised Dallin.
He said there has been no doubt about his ability to execute.
In addition he says he is a SMART player - like guys that he played with in college.
Dallin knows the plays, he knows the game and he gets his job done.
Even when the guy opposite him is more than twice his weight.
(As was the case at his first game).
I wasn't there, I was at McCade's game.
(This is them practicing this year. See how much BIGGER they are????)
But Dallin's team won
34 - 0.
Yep.
His coach had never lost a game and only knew championships until this team. Last year we came close.
Oh, how I hope they can give the coach a championship this year.
They have worked for it.
They are working for it .
Lets hope they do it!
It would be a great way to end Grid Kid.
McCade also didn't play a lot the first year. He had a coach that had good intentions but a large team. He was also familiar with several of the kids because he had coached them for years in wrestling.
McCade didn't see much playing time.
But then even more kids signed up forcing them to split the team.
Boy howdy, did he play after that!
Funny how things work sometimes. . .
All but 2 of the starters ended up on the first team.
Mac ended up on the second team.
It was an inexperienced team, and they were thrown into the deep end of the pool.
They worked hard but didn't have a winning season.
Do I care? Maybe a little.
It is hard to see your child lose game after game.
But it really isn't about football in the end. It is about growing good people who learn team work skills. Learn to execute their jobs well. Learn how to handle large obstacles.
(Pictures of last year)
They played spring football, and improved though the score board and win-loss record didn't really show it.
Here we are again. But McCade has improved so much! In his first game (which they lost 42-6) they quit running the ball his way since he stopped it every time.
I admit, it wasn't tackles.
He is still small so he grabs knees and ankles. Eventually they trip. . . and fumble the ball.
Work with what you have I say!
Seriously, he is small. . . look!
(Pictures of this year. . . he didn't grow, but everyone else did!)
Yes, that kid running towards him is in the same grade!
He still goes for it though.
He does get in his way.
There are a lot of things that are hard for this guy.
He throws fits and screams that the world is unfair.
Then he goes and tackles the big obstacles.
Football is good.
Tacey is loving cheer.
I guess that makes us the All-Mexican-American Family!
HAHA!
The neat thing about high school sports is that at the Varsity Level they broadcast them over the internet. It was lots of fun to know that her Grandparents were watching from San Diego!
She has the energy and attitude for cheerleading!
Yep. That is our super-terrifying potato mascot back there.
She got to throw cookies into the crowd. It seems she has forgotten how to throw. . . she found that extremely funny.
Getting ready to dance at half time
And here's the half-time show!
That is our theme: Blood, Sweat and Bows.
-danielle
