football FANatics

The boys are already half way through football season. I can hardly believe how fast it is going. We have been so pleased with this football season. This year there has been less drama with coaching, smaller teams, good amounts of playing time for everyone, and the heat has even been tolerable. I will share with you some quick highlights of the season: Yesterday was Grant's very best football game ever. He is playing corner on defense and 4 back on offense. He has a great coach this year who has done an amazing job at letting all of the boys have opportunities to run the ball and get in a good amount of playing time. Yesterday was no exception. Grant was given the ball on 4 different plays. His last run he ran for about 9 yards and got the first down. But the big highlight of the game was his huge solo tackle. There was a reverse play and Grant stayed in his position, right where he was supposed to be. The kid carrying the ball came right through the gap to Grant. He was quite a bit bigger than Grant and I was nervous that he would just bowl Grant over. However, Grant grabbed onto the guy, wrapped him up, and took him to the ground. Grant was so pumped up. His coach was cheering and praising him from the sideline, and I could see Grant's smile through his helmet all the way up in the stands. He is loving football this year. And is finally not afraid to hit, or get hit.
The first game of the season was an exciting game for Garrett. They were playing Pineview, our biggest rivals. Every year when we play them, we lead the entire game and then lose in the last few seconds of the game. This year we were winning 14-12 with 15 seconds left in the game. Pineview spread the field and sent their players deep. Garrett was playing corner and the man he was defending took off for the long pass. I saw the quarterback roll to Garrett's side and he released the pass to Garrett's man. Garrett was right with the player. I whispered, "Garrett, turn around" and as if he had heard me, he turned and intercepted the ball. He quickly laid down to keep from fumbling it. His entire defensive team that was out on the field ran over and dogpiled him. He was floating off the field. Due to a number of injuries on their team, Garrett is now playing receiver on the offense as well. We have had the same two boys in that position since 3rd grade, 5 years. Poor Garrett has onlly been practicing that position for 1 week. They didn't throw him any passes yesterday, but his coach talked to us after the game and said that they are impressed on how quick he is developing in that position and they are planning to utilize him this next week. I am not sure how I feel about it. Our original receivers are out with a broken femur (happened first game of the season) and a jacked back from 2 weeks ago (he still can't even walk normal). I kind of like Garrett to play in positions where there isn't a ton of action. Oh well, he seems excited about it.
Anyway, if you don't see us around for a little while, it is because we are at the football fields.