The State Semi-Finals

 

As the clock ticked to zero on the scoreboard at Heroes Stadium in San Antonio, the emotion within me swelled. I almost began to cry right then and there. I turned back to my sideline and saw the coaches, players, trainers, fans, ballboys, cheerleaders and photographers celebrating in their own way. After going through the line of handshakes with the amazing-and salty-players from Hallettsville, I ran back to my dad who I hugged with a tight squeeze. That is when the blockade of my attempted manliness fell. The tears finally fell. They weren’t tears of defeat that our opponents felt but tears of joy, for my dad and I are going to the State Semi-Finals for the third time in four years.

It’s funny how my freshman year, when I played in my first playoff game, my dad told me, “Enjoy this game. This may be the only playoff game you ever play.” Here we are three years later and I have played in a total of eighteen playoff games so far. Knowing all of this in that moment, I couldn’t help but shed a tear or two. I have been blessed to play with many great players and to be coached by great coaches. With this being my final year in high school, I get one last shot at my ultimate goal of a State Championship.

My dream of a State Championship seemed hazy at the beginning of the year. Coach Bo, our head coach, offered a job to my dad here in YT and after weeks of debating, we decided to make the move. Our family felt as if it was the move that God wanted us to make, so we took a leap of faith and did it. Our faith was surely tested, for we started the year of with a losing record of 2-4. We even lost to Hallettsville who we faced during district play. We went into our bye week and refocused. I talked to some of our players and said, “Alright guys, this ain’t gunna be easy. We need to practice hard and get on a roll.” I can honestly say that I never lost faith in my God or my team. I just knew that we were going to turn it around. It is safe to say that we did, for we are on an eight game win streak.

But now we have a matchup against a tough team hailing from Malakoff, Texas, who defeated Cameron Yoe, a team who has played in the State Championship several times the last few years. We know it won’t be a cake walk, and though we have a dream and a desire to play in Arlington for a State Title, we have to take care of business this week first. The seniors who I am with are loving every minute of this experience. They have yet to taste the feeling of a Semi-Final game, while I have already tasted it twice before. I can only imagine the excitement they feel for this wondrous accomplishment.

I am not sure if God brought me to Yoakum to compete at this level. Everything goes according to his plan, but one thing I do know is that I will trust in the Lord through this game and for the rest of my life. I am proud of this accomplishment, but I know that all the glory goes to Him.