Earlier this week I shared a message with the team; the topic was the difference between "Faith" and "Fear".
Here's a quick explanation on how you can put the two into perspective:
"Faith" = even if
"Fear" = what if
Last night, September 26th, as the JV football team traveled to Cotulla, and being the last game of the evening after both the 7th and 8th Grade games, kickoff set for 7:30 pm, the boys were agitated, alarmed, and anxious prior to them playing, in which there are pros and cons to having those feelings.
"Faith" defined in football terms would simply mean that "even if" we're losing, "even if" we get knocked down, "even if" we make a mistake, we will continue to lead, love, and listen and find ways to respond for each other to finish strong!
"Fear" defined in football terms would simply mean that "what if" we're losing, "what if" we get knocked down, "what if we make a mistake"; there's no clarity, which leads to worry and doubt.
The resiliency and response the JV football team had last night was remarkable.
Once again, the motto heading into the game was "Start fast, Finish strong".
The fast start began when Cotulla was pinned against their own end zone on a 4th Down play, and they punted the ball 10 yards up the field. Now, the immediate response to a short high kick is to get away from the ball, BUT, Hudson Mask had other ideas, in which he caught the ball and began running towards the end zone as he was drug down at the 2-yard line! Huge momentum shift for the team, and the offense was ready to score!
The offense installed a play this week and called it "Bulldozer". Josh Acosta is the Bulldozer, and as the offense lined up with Acosta at quarterback, everyone was on the edge of their seat because they didn't know what to expect...
A few seconds later, Josh found himself in the end zone for the first score of the game, and the first score of his football career!
Following the score, Connor Redding hit a huge extra point to put the Pirates up, 7-0!
The score remained the same as the defense once again built a Stone Wall. They didn't allow a score until the 4th quarter with 1:30 left in the game, which put the score, 7-6 Lytle.
Cotulla had a big decision to make, whether they would tie the game or go for 2 for the win.
Here is where the "even if" or "what if" gets real. Although Cotulla scored and decided to go for the 2-point conversion for the win, the defense buckled their chin strap a little tighter, adjusted their defense a little smoother, and as soon as that snap got back to the quarterback, Malakai Castro begins flying downhill to stuff the quarterback at the line of scrimmage to seal the "W" for the Pirates!
Redding's extra point in the 1st quarter was big for the Pirates as that became the difference maker!
Overall, it was an exciting and energizing game from start to finish! Credit to both teams for giving the parents, family members, and fans a great game to watch.
The JV Pirates defeated the Cotulla Cowboys, 7-6!
Their record improves to 4-1 (1-0 District).