Knocked out of playoffs

[FLfinfan]

Well , we went down to the 2 time defending state champ out of Jacksonville. We went into the game missing a starting LB (shoulder) and DT (broken arm last week). The DT was our leading tackler. During the game we lost another LB (ankle) and a DE (shoulder). It was a very hard hitting game on both sides. Exciting game to watch my family and friends said. Lead changes, big plays, 4th down stops, pics and fumble recoveries for scores, etc...The two subs I had in for the injured kids (DT & DE, I coach D-line) ran a loop stunt, sacked the QB, forced a fumble, scooped it up and scored.

We took the lead in the 3rd quarter, but fell behind in the 4th. We would score to close the gap, but they would answer. We tried a onsides kick to take the lead but it only went 91/2 yards, we did get it, but it was not long enough. We missed a FG earlier too. We forced a fumble on their 20, but our offense gave it back 2 plays later with a pic.

We were still only 4 points away with 3 min. left in the game. They had a long run for a score on our defense, and a pic for a score on our offense the next series to seal the win, all in the last 3 minutes of the game. We ended up losing by 17 points.

We finish the regular season 7-1 (hurricanes cancelled some games), District Champs, finish the regular season ranked #10 in the state, and played the defending champs hard to the very end. Very hard to hang up the coaching shoes this year, we went through alot, and our kids played hard. I already miss it.

[CoachBoone]

Win or lose, that last game is tough because it's all over till next year. Coach junior's frosh team went 7-2, no playoffs for freshmen. I was on him all year because he never worked out last summer and he thought he'd nail the Mike spot based on his playing 7 years youth ball, all of them as a starter both ways. Not getting the start was the best thing in the world for him. Now he's started wrestling and he promised me he would work out with his old man to get ready for next season.
Congrats on a great season anyhow. I've come close to the brass ring as a youth coach, and I can tell you the pursuit is a reward in itself. Ya gotta love the game.

[FLfinfan]

Thanks coach.

Been close myself:
1. "Elite 8" and "Final 4" as a high school player.
2. 16th in the nation as a college player (NAIA).
3. Undefeated season as a Jr. High coach.
4. 5-2 season as a JV coach.
5. "Sweet 16" and District Champ as a high school coach (different teams).
6. Assistant on 5 different high school football teams in Florida.
7. State "Top 21" as a high school wrestling coach.
(actually sat in the assistants chair when one of our kids wrestled for the state title last year).

Something about this year that really stings now that it is over. Part of it is because there have been long hard years with little to no success, and the years you do well mean more.
Part of it is because my old school didn't want me as a coach anymore (long story, coached there under 2 different head coaches for 5 years, new guy (#3) comes in and brings all his own guys. Me and this guy had been opponents years ago as assistant coaches on cross town rival schools). They won 2 games this year, barely.....................
I still teach there, but drove 40 minutes and 2 towns over everyday to be with my new team.
But most of all my new team and I went through the hurricanes together, dropped our 1st game by one point, then fought hard all year and had a great season. It all seems so much more important this year. It's redemption, success, and being brought into a new family all in one year. Most fun I have ever had coaching was this year.

[Mike H.]

Sorry to hear you lost. Does that mean you might make it over to Oviedo Mall this Saturday at 2:00?

[FLfinfan]

I will certainly try. Can you e-mail me directions, iwctygr@aol.com. I would come 192, 528 or 50.

[Mike H.]

528 to 417. Go north to the Oviedo exit. I have a map posted here, a few posts up from the bottom:

First Annual Central Florida Titan Meet!