Middle School Football Fun + Video

Who would have thought that a 10+ year soccer coach and lifelong soccer enthusiast would be having as much fun out watching middle school football? That same guy likely would not have believed his son would come to the forefront of his school's football program (albeit it 'C' team) and contribute significantly each game.

As one can tell each game, my fatherly joy spills over through shots of accolades for the my son, the team and often times individuals on the team I know by name. It's so exciting to watch as my fairly skinny, now tall (5'8" and still growing every day) son weaves in an out of the defense as a runningback with ferocious speed. In 4 games he has scored 5 touchdowns, made some great punts for serious yardage, ran back a 55 yrd kick return and did it again the next week for 75 yrds.

Through it all my son has seen some bruises as well. He's punted into the back of his own players, lacked the blocking last night on a punt and had it blocked, been slammed down for loss of yardage and worse. Last week, after what seemed in my opinion to be a loss by the defense in every play, having contributed 2 TD, was given one last try in the final seconds of the game. He miraculously caught a "Hail Mary" pass after it bounced off the opposition's helmet, ran it down field and was knocked out of bounds at the 2 yrd line, being denied the victory. The defense was all over him for having lost the game for the team. Not easy for a 14 yrd old to take.

Last night's game made up for it, however, as he came away with the winning TD in the final seconds of the game. Not only did he make a significant play to position his team to tie the game, but he made the winning TD.

The ups and downs of any sport swing so dramatically that much like the transitioning of his body from boy to man, the emotions run deep and victory and defeat are thinly demarcated. It just seems that in football, the rush of the game, the cheering of the crowd, the excitement here in Texas is magnified and it's been a hoot watching my son stay center stage in America's most beloved sports drama.

Here are a couple of videos to show my excitement and my son's success!

35 Yrd Run (2010/10/05)


First TD Ever - 55 yrd run (2010/09/21)


2nd TD - 15 yrd run w/cheerleader gf first in video (2010/09/21)


Huge 75 yrd kick return (2010/09/28)