As soon as I heard this talk in conference I knew I would use this quote for the title of this last game post. I think the anticipation leading up to Jordan's last game was much worse than the actual event (in my opinion anyway). Jordan would probably disagree.
A few of us "Senior Moms" scrambled all day to make this last game day just a little more special than normal. It was crazy for me because I had to also drive Allison all the way down to dance at Timpview High School in the middle of all the prep. work, but Brendan's mom and dad came to rescue and were so great to pick her up afterward and bring her to the stadium so that I didn't have to miss any of the actual game.
We all tried to be positive, but we knew that a win was mostly likely not going to happen as we were playing Pleasant Grove who were already the region champs and had only lost one game all year. But that wasn't the point of the night. Again, Jordan would disagree, but since I'm the one writing this blog, you get MY perspective.
There really isn't much about the actual game to be excited about so I'll focus on the other stuff through the following photos.
Last team dinner.
Jordan sat by his "brothers" and by Janice who is adored by everyone. She has been their trainer (physical therapist) for the last 3 years and is the one responsible for taping them, icing them, massaging them, and being a great friend. They call her the miracle worker.
End of the year baskets given out to the whole team.
Thanks so much for Macey's for sponsoring the team.
Jordan and Kaden Jones (the back up soph. QB).
Great friends and two of the best looking boys on the team, according to me and Kaden's mom, anyway. Whenever anything bad would happen in a game, Kaden's mom would lean over and say, "At least they're still cute!" I'm going to miss my stadium mom friends.
At half-time, all the senior boys were escorted back to the field by their parents. It was such a proud, but sad moment for Brendan and I. As team captain, Jordan got to lead out first.
Each senior gave their mom flowers and a little smooch and then they received a black duffel bag with Lehi Football, their name and number embroidered on it. There are 31 graduating members of the team and it took the whole length of the field to line everybody up.
Tears of love and sadness starting coming out of everyone's eyes after the game. The team huddled together one last time under the "L" for a photo. I tried to take a few more personal photos, but most came out too dark or blurry. There weren't too many smiles on any faces.
These last two photos probably mean the most. Jordan and Bo have been really close since 6th grade tackle football started (back in the day there was only flag football until 6th grade). Jordan was always the quarterback and Bo was the center so their teamwork was essential to every game. Don't ask me why Bo took off his jersey. He's the nicest kid ever and not the scary dude that appears in the photo. Bo's Dad also coached them, along with Brendan, from 6th to 9th grade so this friendship is extra special. And then the last photo is tender because it's of Jordan walking off the Lehi field for the last time.
We still have the team banquet for all the players and their parents to plan and look forward to next month, but the main part is all over. The worst part is not being able to say, "See you all next season."
We have had many talks with Jordan about his future plans and he's not sure if he is going to pursue college football. Of course that would be his dream, but at this point he's not sure if his main objective is to play football just anywhere or if he is ready to put it behind him as one of the best experiences of his life. His coach and the recruiters have said that he has the talent and the grades to get a full ride scholarship playing football, but most likely not at the in state universities. The problem lies in the fact that those out of state schools will not hold a football scholarship for him for two years while he serves a mission. We're proud that he has made that his next priority. That is, after he starts concentrating on his upcoming debate tournaments, AND after he plays another season of basketball on the city and ward levels, AND finishes out his last season of running high school track. He's currently applying to BYU, U of U, Utah State and Snow. There's always a slight chance of getting on a team as a walk-on. We'll see. But whatever happens, we'll all all just try to live by Elder Wirthlin's words, "Come what may and love it.” Thanks to everyone who made it out to his games, for your awesome supportive comments, and for sticking through reading my blog football post after football post. Normal life has now resumed at the Smith home--well, whatever normal is.
I hate the fact that kids keep growing up! Halloween just isn't as cute with teenagers. No more family group themes, no more school parades, no more taking them trick or treating (well, that one I can live without). So to add some "cuteness" to my blog, I will revisit Halloween Memory Lane.
Cuteness pretty much ended there. Not really sure how Igor, Dracula, and Baby Bop go together but look at Allison's cute little face! Oh well, we try to still have a little fun with big kids now. Here are a few photos from a year or two ago minus the "cuteness" factor.
A tradition is to have a crazy meal to celebrate the night. Last year I made Oven Baked Chicken "Witch hands."
