The big day started off with my alarm clock going off at 5 am. It was then a race to pick up coach and another player and make it to the bus by 6:30 am. The early hour kept everyone pretty much calm and solemn, considering what we were about to do in 11 hours. The ride down was mostly uneventful, mostly sleeping, reading and a little card playing. There were a few antics with a shock pen and some banting going back and forth, but the horse play was kept to a bear minimum. We reached the hotel at about 1:30, checked in and then were off to grab food. We milled around reviewing playbooks and getting ready for the game until our team meeting at 4:45. I got a little bit of a surprise there as I discovered that I was no longer starting on any of the special teams, except for the punt return which is the defense team anyway. I wasn’t quite sure how to take that, knowing that it could mean they meant to keep me fresher to do more on offense, but I decided not to dwell on it and just take it as it came. A quick bus drive to the field and the time had come. I have to admit to being a little teary eyed standing out on that field for the first time, but once warm-ups started those sentimental emotions disappeared fast.
(Me walking the sidelines, #31)
Asheville won the toss, so the defense got set to start the game. A little shell shocked at first, they managed to move the ball a bit on us the first two downs, but we stepped it up fast and shut them down before they could make the first down. It felt awesome to shut it all down so fast. Unfortunately, the offense had about as much luck as theirs and the defense was quickly back out on the field. The entire first half progressed pretty much that way, a battle of the defense. We managed a few sacks and a slew of tackles behind the line and one good interception for a 20 yard return. With everything going on both on and off the field, keeping track of stats was a wishful dream. Several assists and a couple solo tackles are about the best I can remember for me. I ended up switching in to call the defensive plays sometime in the second quarter, but never stepped foot on the offensive side for the entire half. Of course we made plenty of mistakes, but somehow managed to recover from them all. I can remember twice getting faked out enough to actually chase a non-ball carrier almost to the sidelines before realizing what had happened. It wasn’t until late in the second quarter, when our mistakes finally took their toll. After a bad punt, Asheville started their offensive drive on the 30 yard line. While we continued to hold them well, we allowed just two pass plays through that turned out to be just enough to get them into the end zone for their first touchdown. The following offensive drive didn’t managed to do much, but did run the clock down enough to get to the half.
(setting the Defense, can you find me?)
The second half started off well for us. The kick off returned started the offense on our 40 yard line and in I went. We ran the Power I plays for a couple of runs and made some progress for the offense. We made our first, first down conversion, but sadly, no touch down yet. The defense came out a little sluggish, and Asheville managed to push the ball down the field for a score. We still made them work hard for that score; keeping most plays under 5 yards and making them use 3 or 4 downs to get the first down conversion. Our next attempt, I was running true ironman style and was back in. This time we ran my signature play, first to the right for an 8 yard gain and then to the left for a ten yard gain and another first down. I knew I broke tackles on both runs and was later told I actually dragged two girls for about 3 yards on one play.
(I the one behind the QB getting ready for the signature run)
We then ran a few leads which managed some gains and kept that ball moving forward. The in came the rest of the big meanies and the true Power I began the push to the end zone. The yardage stayed small, 3-5 yards, but it kept going forward. We then ran the fake, which gave me the ball running away from the Power lead. I remember getting hit at the line of scrimmage, but she couldn’t stop me. After I managed to push both of us forward a yard came the second hit, but I still wasn’t down. Then came the facemask grab. One of them grabbed my face mask and literally yanked my head backwards. Instinct told me to go down cause 1 more yard wasn’t worth a broken back. But the penalty flag was thrown and we were now inside the twenty. Unfortunately the cheat had left me pretty blurry eyed and slow on my feet. The next play, I was handed the ball again, the hole collapsed and I just couldn’t get the feet to work fast enough to get me to the outside and I was downed with barely a 1 yard gain. I knew it was time to come out, I needed that head cleared or I would do more harm then good. Unfortunately, it took two more plays before the coaches got the hint and finally got me out. Three plays later, the team hit the end zone for a touchdown. I managed to shake the head clear in time to hit the field with the defense and we were royally fired up. We came out strong, a quarterback sack, two line of scrimmage tackles, but then they got us on the run fake. The QB handed off the ball to the tail back and as we went after her, she lobbed a nice spiral down the field and connected. It seemed disaster was all set to follow. The next set, the other linebacker went down with muscle cramps and the play went through for good yardage. Then not two plays later, with under 6 minutes left, it was my turn. I went in on a rush and had the perfect bead on the QB. As I squared up for the hit, I got blindsided by the fullback and as I went down I heard a loud pop. My ankle had rolled on me and took the brunt of the fall and the game was over for me. The thing swelled up to about the size of a baseball as I hobbled off the field and I was crushed. I couldn’t see what was going on as I sat on the bench being doctored, but Asheville pushed it in for one more score. Our offense tried to respond but got slowed down and we watched time just run out. We had lost 19 – 6. It was more then we wanted to lose by, but was Asheville’s closest game of the season, so we took the consolation. After shaking hands, Asheville sat us down in the middle of the field to welcome us to the league. Their praise was overflowing and sounded pretty sincere. It was a good game, and a good start. Given time, I know we could kick their ass and to be honest, I think they knew it too.
After spending 3 hours in the ER, getting some of the strangest looks while sitting there in my football gear, I’m happy to report nothing is broken and the tendons seem to be intact. A very bad sprain, which will heal in time. Though I think I have to say, I’m out of commission for the cinncy game next weekend, which is really pissing me off. Though my stepson called while we were driving home and after hearing I had gotten hurt, he asked me if it was worth it. My Reply? "Every bit!"
You did good out there, win or lose. Nice pics also, BTW. Be careful though. You don't want to end your career too early.
Have fun, and live it.
Posted by: Wichi Dude | June 21, 2004 at 05:53 PM