Halloween has come and gone.
The year 2005 continues to roll on.

2005.11.01
Our high school football season is over. It was a long painful haul. The kids deserve better. I wish there was something more that I could do to help them.

The undefeated (10-0) peewee Rams played in Greenville, Ohio on Saturday. They faced an undefeated Warriors team. The Rams had a few scary moments before kicking it in to gear. The Rams won 35-13.

On Sunday, the (11-0) peewee Rams traveled to State Farm Park in Kettering, Ohio to battle the Miamisburg Vikings. This was an amazing game that took several years off of my life. The Vikings tied the score at 12 with less than 4-minutes left in the 4th quarter. The Rams used all 3 timeouts as they moved down field.

With less than a 30 seconds left, the Rams moved the ball inside the 20-yard line. The running back was unable to get out of bounds. The team quickly lined up, snapped, and spiked the ball. The clock stopped with 2.3 seconds remaining. The Rams had the ball on the 13-yard line.

The team broke the huddle and came to the line. The QB went under center. The C snapped the ball. The QB (#7) handed off to the RB. The RB (#11) was hit. The RB kept moving, he stumbled, regained his footing, bounced to the outside... the buzzer sounded... a defender dove at #11's ankles... the defender missed by inches. The RB found himself in the end zone. Touchdown. Rams win 18-12.

Roughly a hundred family and friends streamed on to the field to congratulate the team. It was an amazing game. It was hard to believe the teams were comprised entirely of 1st and 2nd grade players.

Another team (3rd, 4th, and 5th graders) was standing near the end zone watching. The coaches marveled at the level of hitting displayed. One of the officials addressed the league board on Monday night to state, "this was the best game I have ever seen in my 17-years as a referee"

The playoffs started with 44 teams. Only 4 teams remain. The peewee Rams are among the final 4. This Saturday, the peewee Rams will battle for the chance to play in the championship game.

Now, I must pause for a moment and offer some "wisdom"...
I am glad the team is 12-0. I am happy for my son. I am happy for his friends and teammates. If the Rams lose this weekend, so be it. It is a team of 6, 7, and 8 year olds. Winning and losing is not the end of the world. The kids are having fun. That is what matters most.

This past Sunday, I saw an ugly side in many of the parents. When the game was tied 12-12, many parents started questioning the head coaches play calling. One parent threw his Pepsi bottle and stormed off disgusted. The closer we get to the championship game, the more agitated some parents become. The kids are doing a better job of handling adversity and stress than some of the parents.

On Monday, we took mini-Omega trick or treating. I was dressed as Superman. My wife was Wonder Woman. My son was Batman. Our dog (yes, my wife bought our dog a costume) was also dressed as Batman. Mini-Omega took 3rd place in the town costume contest. My wife and I placed first in the adult division.