As a graduate and fan, as desperately as I wish to praise the Patriots on their annual thumping of John Marshall tonight, I simply can't. There were actually as many negatives as positives coming out of this 48 minute segment of football.
First, stop committing 13 penalties in a game. Most were 5-yarders (75 total yards lost in all), but that means they're the "mental" errors...offside...false start....delay of game. One time they had 3rd and 1 and a penalty made it 3rd and 6. No gain on 3rd down, they were forced to try a field goal from 37 yards, and it was no good. When you're playing the top teams in the District, you must score those 3 points. In fact, you should get the first down and score a touchdown!
GOAL ONE: Mental focus. It starts with the QB, being in sync w/his line in cadence, and the backs and receivers knowing the schemes of lining up for the play. It's October now, this shouldn't be a problem. Same defensively--stop lining up in the neutral zone.
Second, the playbook. First offensive play, toss sweep left to RJ Waters, 68 yards, textbook work. Touchdown, PH. The rest of the night, RJ averages only 3 yards a carry. Not RJ-like numbers. They are not creating the holes, they are not winning the war at the line of scrimmage, and worse, their best lineman was hurt tonight (Kevin Wagner, his ankle). I hope he's back next week for Deep Run, they'll need him, emotionally more than anything for his leadership.
GOAL TWO: Development of other offensive weapons so other teams can't put 11 guys against RJ Waters. Stuart May had some pretty passes tonight; the WR's must get separation and get open to take advantage of them.
So, there you go. 23-0 at the half, 43-6 the final as John Marshall scored on the last play of the game (they didn't even try the PAT, the refs just called the game.) So, PH is now 3-1, 1-0 in the District. The other "big 3 teams" in the Colonial all won, so it's, as expected, Godwin, PH, Hermitage, and Freeman at 1-0.
Next week, PH's first-ever trip to the new Deep Run HS in northwest Henrico. Might need a visa to get in there (I don't come close to the median income level, you see....) I oughta drive my 88 Cougar to the game just out of spite...:)
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Happy to see the weekend arrive. It's a time to gather my thoughts, try to SLEEP, and forget about continuity for awhile.
Robbie's bike was stolen....off OUR FRONT PORCH!!! After 12 years, I now have my first "bad vibes" about the neighborhood. It's one thing if your kid leaves their bike at the curb or in the middle of the front yard. But this person(s) had to go on my porch, pick up the bike, carry it over a big box, just to get it off the porch to begin with.
So, we'll be distributing flyers to the neighbors, if, for no other reason, to warn them that they'd better be on the lookout. A conversation with a long-time friend 2 streets over revealed a missing scooter and bike over there within the past 3 weeks, so Bonnie filed a report w/the Police to make them aware. We are of the agreement we've got some vagrants in a nearby neighborhood coming through, it's just a matter of which one.
I also have to start the legal process of the PTO formation. Back to school night went well Thursday night, and no one heckled me when I explained the PTO and invited everyone to the Formation Committee development meeting next Thursday night. EIN forms, here I come!
I'm behind in POF (Fantasy Football League Commissioner work)---gotta catch that up. The sermon Sunday is on "the 4th quarter"; just needs development. The Purpose Driven Life series is over, and we're going "series-less", it looks 'til year's end, then to start '05, we're tackling Revelation. Oh, boy, here's a bone to chew on.....:)
Oh, and the highlight of the weekend---besides sleep----the first meeting of the Patrick Henry High School Class of 1985 20-Year Reunion Committee! The '95 committee is basically back intact, and one year from right now (12:26am, October 2nd), we'll be cleaning up at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center at the conclusion of our 20 year reunion. The deposit's paid. October 1, 2005...should be a good night! :)
Oh, and to bring symmetry into the picture (and a close to tonight's entry)-----
The Witham History Moment---October 1, 1981.
My first date. Ever. Took Dawn to the JV football game at Patrick Henry on a Thursday night. She later turned down my offer to "go steady" (how cute), but we stayed good friends through high school, then her life was needlessly taken in 1990 when she was killed in her residence. Hopefully, the killer won't walk the streets again.
23 years later, to the day, I'm back at PH, calling the action on the radio....living the dream. But this tickle in my throat is driving me nuts....
More later.....and thanks for listening.
PS---Did you know being President is "HARD WORK"?????
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