Are You Ready For Some Football?

Truthfully?

It snuck up on me this year.  Like I knew it was coming but all of a sudden it was here and our cleats didn’t fit, and we were out of shape and well, quite frankly?

Not ready.

But…

Now we’re getting in the groove.  And we’re psyched.

I say we.

I really do mean that.  The first two weeks were tough for us.  Matthew because he was out of shape and me because I’ve been so used to not watching the clock to make sure that he was fed and ready by 5:30.  We struggled.  And I saw the look in his eyes.

The “I want to quit look”

It looks like this.

Poor thing. That’s the only day that he told me he wanted to quit.  He got hit hard.  I mean, like the coach came to tell me that he needed to ice it and keep an eye on it.

I saw that look the first night of practice.  I noticed it immediately.  I asked him if he wanted to quit.

“I’ve thought about it…” he replied.

Before I could go into my spiel about how he’s not a quitter, he followed it with “But I’m not going to.  I know the first two weeks are the hardest.”

You see, Matthew’s moved up this year.  He’s a “junior”.  That means he’s in the last level before you either play for the school or you don’t play at all.  And realistically, due to the weight limits for Rec ball, this will be his last year of Rec ball.

It’s a big deal.

What’s more is that this year, we have the opportunity to practice and play on Bogle Field.  May not seem like a big deal to most, but let me tell you about Bogle Field.  It’s the high school field.  With lights.  And real yardage markings.  AND STANDS.  Nope, it won’t matter if I forget my lawn chair.  I can sit in the bleachers.

What’s more about Bogle Field is that two years ago, they invested a million dollars into it.  It’s big time I tell ya.

And we’re funny about it.  Nothing but water is allowed on the field.  A few parents jokingly said to their kids when they were running in the heat that if they had to puke to do it in their helmets.  Bogle Field is a big deal around here.

Last week, we practiced from 8p-10p… under the lights!

How cool is that?

Here’s how cool it is…

And this shot, from Wordless Wednesday last week?

One of my favorties.  Ever.

So this weekend, we’ll play two games on Bogle Field.  The first two of seven total.  I’m excited.  And we’re playing our Rivals. Last year I sat in the stands watching the High School Titans wondering what it would be like to watch MY son on that field and I’m getting the opportunity to witness it much earlier than I anticipated.  It’s going to be a good game.

So I’m ready for football.

I’m ready to see them tackle.  I’m ready to watch the kick off.  I’m ready to cheer the Titans on.

And I’m ready for a season of pride for my son… starting with this…

And I’m ready to quickly volunteer to people that he plays football and I don’t beat him… actually, the bruise is from a hit Friday night… this was taken today, Monday.  You can only imagine how big it was….

and I can’t begin to tell you how proud he is of that one.  His best ever, he’ll tell you.

We’re not quitting.  We’re in it… to win it.

Go Titans!

Until next time…