I don’t understand football. My son [T.J., a South sophomore on the J.V. squad] started playing for Pop Warner when he was about 10 years old, and I went to the games. I’ve been going to the high school games for a few years, but I guess I was never really present. I clapped when everyone else did, that was how I supported.
My good friend’s son, a kid I’ve watched grow up from a five-year-old who refused to take his socks off at Little Gym into a remarkable teenager who is a talented musician, great student, and an awesome running back for WW-P High School South’s football team. He also happens to be a beautiful person inside and out. He is kind and understanding, patient and helpful.
I am talking about Brian Schoenhauer, a 17-year-old boy, really! Ask anyone who knows him and they will tell you the same thing.
This year the team made it to the playoffs, it was very exciting for them. Of course I went to the game, that’s what I was supposed to do.
I don’t know how or why but something changed in me that night. Picture it, Friday night-lights, big crowd, it’s freezing but the energy is keeping everyone warm. The parents of some of the key players (I don’t even know if this is the correct term) are sitting around me. They’re stressed but exited, it’s contagious! I realize I’m actually interested in what’s going on.
These moms take the time in between plays to explain the game to me. They are nervous — I can actually see it in their eyes — but they are not annoyed with my total ignorance, or they hide it really well. My friend looks like she might actually throw up!
It’s the fourth quarter no score; we score a touchdown but miss the kick. We have to hold them back, they make a touchdown, and we block the kick.
Game goes into overtime, we match touchdowns. I am totally stressed out. The game goes into a second overtime, we make a touchdown and get the kick.
They make a touchdown to match ours and then they go for 2 points, They make it. We lose by one point.
Heartbreaking, truly that is the word that comes to my mind. I feel heartbroken, not because we lost, the boys played an amazing game. Behind this amazing team were amazing parents. The boys walked off the field through a sea of parents who parted for them and clapped as they walked past. You heard moms and dads saying “heads up boys,” “great game.”
I watched the boys’ faces. There were some tears and faces full of disappointment. My heart went out to them.
I don’t understand football, but I’m learning. I do know that those boys played their hearts out that night; they left everything they had on that field. Many of the boys are seniors. They will be going off to college next year and many will no longer play football. That probably makes them sad, but I hope they know that they were part of a great team, each one of them possessing a piece of that greatness which will always be with them.
Thanks for a great season, boys, and next year I will be at all of the games cheering and yelling, not because I’m following the crowd but because I know what’s going on!
