OT, Son's senior year and Friday's playoff game didn't end well. (sorry a little long)

[OhioLion]

I have coached here for 20+ years, but this year I am a dad in the stands. I hold Sunday afternoon film reviews of upcoming opponents and chart opponents' plays, but no X's and O's.
Local radio guys said nothing better than a 5-5 or 6-4 season. Picked 4th in Ohio's longest continuing conference, the Northwest Ohio Athletic League.
First game was against a team picked to win their league (think NWOAL=B1G, their league ACC). Supposed to be tough hard-fought game. My son predicts a running clock in the first half they are so confident. With :17 remaining in the first half, Archbold posts a 30-0 lead on the road. Next play perennial power and miss 3 PATs to lose by 1. After that, the team runs off 7 straight wins only to lose final game in a mud bowl in 4 OT. The team went on to an 8-2 regular season, then 1-1 in the playoffs. 9-3 isn't bad for a middle of the pack team.
Host first round of playoffs and win, but lose 3-year starting QB to an ACL injury. His twin brother takes over this past Friday night and has the lead 24-21. Under 2 minutes and the opponent is literally on their 1 foot line with time running - around 45 seconds remaining after a sack - and no times out for them to call.
A missed INT and they go 95 yards to the 5 on the play. Toss to the end zone and with 22 seconds remaining, we now trail and eventually will lose 28-24.
My son is a senior. He's a 6'3" 215 pound TE. We talked about college football - D 3, or walk on a D 2. He said no. He does not feel he would give his studies the attention they will need if he is playing football. His words, and I am very proud that he has thought it through to that extent.

I am now without Friday night lights. My son's team lost a heart-wrenching game in the last minute of the game. He and his teammates are devastated. Mom and dad are saddened because he brought us such great joy as we watched him grow from that first flag football game when he had a pick-6! It's been an awesome journey, but it's over. And, it hurts. He's my best friend and to see him hurt, makes me hurt even more.

A teammate tweeted that nobody gave them a chance this year, but their brotherhood and closeness is what prevailed. They will all move on and all be successful young men. But, dad is really struggling, but this dad is so damn proud of his son and the team.

Sorry to be long, and thanks for letting me share. If you have suggestions (I don't drink) to help with accepting it's over, please share.

OL

 

[sluggo72]

I have coached here for 20+ years, but this year I am a dad in the stands. I hold Sunday afternoon film reviews of upcoming opponents and chart opponents' plays, but no X's and O's.
Local radio guys said nothing better than a 5-5 or 6-4 season. Picked 4th in Ohio's longest continuing conference, the Northwest Ohio Athletic League.
First game was against a team picked to win their league (think NWOAL=B1G, their league ACC). Supposed to be tough hard-fought game. My son predicts a running clock in the first half they are so confident. With :17 remaining in the first half, Archbold posts a 30-0 lead on the road. Next play perennial power and miss 3 PATs to lose by 1. After that, the team runs off 7 straight wins only to lose final game in a mud bowl in 4 OT. The team went on to an 8-2 regular season, then 1-1 in the playoffs. 9-3 isn't bad for a middle of the pack team.
Host first round of playoffs and win, but lose 3-year starting QB to an ACL injury. His twin brother takes over this past Friday night and has the lead 24-21. Under 2 minutes and the opponent is literally on their 1 foot line with time running - around 45 seconds remaining after a sack - and no times out for them to call.
A missed INT and they go 95 yards to the 5 on the play. Toss to the end zone and with 22 seconds remaining, we now trail and eventually will lose 28-24.
My son is a senior. He's a 6'3" 215 pound TE. We talked about college football - D 3, or walk on a D 2. He said no. He does not feel he would give his studies the attention they will need if he is playing football. His words, and I am very proud that he has thought it through to that extent.

I am now without Friday night lights. My son's team lost a heart-wrenching game in the last minute of the game. He and his teammates are devastated. Mom and dad are saddened because he brought us such great joy as we watched him grow from that first flag football game when he had a pick-6! It's been an awesome journey, but it's over. And, it hurts. He's my best friend and to see him hurt, makes me hurt even more.

A teammate tweeted that nobody gave them a chance this year, but their brotherhood and closeness is what prevailed. They will all move on and all be successful young men. But, dad is really struggling, but this dad is so damn proud of his son and the team.

Sorry to be long, and thanks for letting me share. If you have suggestions (I don't drink) to help with accepting it's over, please share.

OL

may be the best post of the weekend!! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

In retrospect, it was a terrific season.

 

[Sharkies]

If you have suggestions (I don't drink) to help with accepting it's over, please share.

As someone who was in your son's shoes not too long ago... you do miss playing, at least being a part of the team, but it's loss will slowly lessen with time and he'll find he has all sorts of new things to get involved in in College.

For you, just enjoy this period of time in his life and visit him in College as often as he wants (I went to Penn State, it was so nice seeing my parents come up every couple weeks and tailgate with them -- out of state, so they didn't make it to every game).

That said, I now have a 1 year old daughter and my old man is about to retire. He may very well get a second chance to be involved in coaching HER someday!!!

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

I have coached here for 20+ years, but this year I am a dad in the stands. I hold Sunday afternoon film reviews of upcoming opponents and chart opponents' plays, but no X's and O's.
Local radio guys said nothing better than a 5-5 or 6-4 season. Picked 4th in Ohio's longest continuing conference, the Northwest Ohio Athletic League.
First game was against a team picked to win their league (think NWOAL=B1G, their league ACC). Supposed to be tough hard-fought game. My son predicts a running clock in the first half they are so confident. With :17 remaining in the first half, Archbold posts a 30-0 lead on the road. Next play perennial power and miss 3 PATs to lose by 1. After that, the team runs off 7 straight wins only to lose final game in a mud bowl in 4 OT. The team went on to an 8-2 regular season, then 1-1 in the playoffs. 9-3 isn't bad for a middle of the pack team.
Host first round of playoffs and win, but lose 3-year starting QB to an ACL injury. His twin brother takes over this past Friday night and has the lead 24-21. Under 2 minutes and the opponent is literally on their 1 foot line with time running - around 45 seconds remaining after a sack - and no times out for them to call.
A missed INT and they go 95 yards to the 5 on the play. Toss to the end zone and with 22 seconds remaining, we now trail and eventually will lose 28-24.
My son is a senior. He's a 6'3" 215 pound TE. We talked about college football - D 3, or walk on a D 2. He said no. He does not feel he would give his studies the attention they will need if he is playing football. His words, and I am very proud that he has thought it through to that extent.

I am now without Friday night lights. My son's team lost a heart-wrenching game in the last minute of the game. He and his teammates are devastated. Mom and dad are saddened because he brought us such great joy as we watched him grow from that first flag football game when he had a pick-6! It's been an awesome journey, but it's over. And, it hurts. He's my best friend and to see him hurt, makes me hurt even more.

A teammate tweeted that nobody gave them a chance this year, but their brotherhood and closeness is what prevailed. They will all move on and all be successful young men. But, dad is really struggling, but this dad is so damn proud of his son and the team.

Sorry to be long, and thanks for letting me share. If you have suggestions (I don't drink) to help with accepting it's over, please share.

OL

Great post and hits hard; was at a show yesterday afternoon while my three year old daughter and one year old son were spending the afternoon with a babysitter, and though it's a musical, and a funny one at that ('Mean Girls' previewing in DC now, will be on Broadway in March), there is a part where the 'cool mom' sings a sad song about how she misses being her daughter's best friend and it hit me that right now, I am my kids best friend, and at some point that will probably not be the case. Try to keep them safe, little, and yours for as long as possible, and from what I read, it sounds like you guys have a lot of great times ahead. So, celebrate the now I guess - cheers!

Don't want to even mention seeing Toy Story 2 last night - 'When She Loved Me' is a heartbreaker....

 

[Mixolydian]

I have coached here for 20+ years, but this year I am a dad in the stands. I hold Sunday afternoon film reviews of upcoming opponents and chart opponents' plays, but no X's and O's.
Local radio guys said nothing better than a 5-5 or 6-4 season. Picked 4th in Ohio's longest continuing conference, the Northwest Ohio Athletic League.
First game was against a team picked to win their league (think NWOAL=B1G, their league ACC). Supposed to be tough hard-fought game. My son predicts a running clock in the first half they are so confident. With :17 remaining in the first half, Archbold posts a 30-0 lead on the road. Next play perennial power and miss 3 PATs to lose by 1. After that, the team runs off 7 straight wins only to lose final game in a mud bowl in 4 OT. The team went on to an 8-2 regular season, then 1-1 in the playoffs. 9-3 isn't bad for a middle of the pack team.
Host first round of playoffs and win, but lose 3-year starting QB to an ACL injury. His twin brother takes over this past Friday night and has the lead 24-21. Under 2 minutes and the opponent is literally on their 1 foot line with time running - around 45 seconds remaining after a sack - and no times out for them to call.
A missed INT and they go 95 yards to the 5 on the play. Toss to the end zone and with 22 seconds remaining, we now trail and eventually will lose 28-24.
My son is a senior. He's a 6'3" 215 pound TE. We talked about college football - D 3, or walk on a D 2. He said no. He does not feel he would give his studies the attention they will need if he is playing football. His words, and I am very proud that he has thought it through to that extent.

I am now without Friday night lights. My son's team lost a heart-wrenching game in the last minute of the game. He and his teammates are devastated. Mom and dad are saddened because he brought us such great joy as we watched him grow from that first flag football game when he had a pick-6! It's been an awesome journey, but it's over. And, it hurts. He's my best friend and to see him hurt, makes me hurt even more.

A teammate tweeted that nobody gave them a chance this year, but their brotherhood and closeness is what prevailed. They will all move on and all be successful young men. But, dad is really struggling, but this dad is so damn proud of his son and the team.

Sorry to be long, and thanks for letting me share. If you have suggestions (I don't drink) to help with accepting it's over, please share.

OL

Very poignant post. I will give you a perspective from a slightly different angle. My son just signed his NLOI to play D1 baseball last week. Very exciting day for him and my wife and I. But even with that, the end of his playing career is in sight. He will play his senior year of HS and then there are no guarantees after that given possible injuries, the competitiveness of D1 athletics, etc. It comes to an end for everyone at some point.

After a decade plus of joy watching him play, I won’t handle the end when it comes any better than you are, but here is how I think about it now....No one can take away all of the great memories of watching him and his teams play (well at least not until alzheimer’s sets in and i probably won’t care then anyway ). He will still be my best buddy after baseball. And most importantly, while it’s the end of one phase of his life, it’s the beginning of another. We will now get to experience him growing into a man in college, starting a career after that and then perhaps a family at some point. There are likely to be many, many joys in that next phase as well.

Hope that helps. Soak it in!

 

[MrDibbs]

OhioLion

I think that you and your son have a good perspective about the relationship between real life, parenting, competitive athletics and academics. Losing that game was tough and the way they lost even tougher.

We all want the best for our kids. From what I have read from you on here, I suspect that your son will experience much success because you get it and the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

 

[marshall23]

I have coached here for 20+ years, but this year I am a dad in the stands. I hold Sunday afternoon film reviews of upcoming opponents and chart opponents' plays, but no X's and O's.
Local radio guys said nothing better than a 5-5 or 6-4 season. Picked 4th in Ohio's longest continuing conference, the Northwest Ohio Athletic League.
First game was against a team picked to win their league (think NWOAL=B1G, their league ACC). Supposed to be tough hard-fought game. My son predicts a running clock in the first half they are so confident. With :17 remaining in the first half, Archbold posts a 30-0 lead on the road. Next play perennial power and miss 3 PATs to lose by 1. After that, the team runs off 7 straight wins only to lose final game in a mud bowl in 4 OT. The team went on to an 8-2 regular season, then 1-1 in the playoffs. 9-3 isn't bad for a middle of the pack team.
Host first round of playoffs and win, but lose 3-year starting QB to an ACL injury. His twin brother takes over this past Friday night and has the lead 24-21. Under 2 minutes and the opponent is literally on their 1 foot line with time running - around 45 seconds remaining after a sack - and no times out for them to call.
A missed INT and they go 95 yards to the 5 on the play. Toss to the end zone and with 22 seconds remaining, we now trail and eventually will lose 28-24.
My son is a senior. He's a 6'3" 215 pound TE. We talked about college football - D 3, or walk on a D 2. He said no. He does not feel he would give his studies the attention they will need if he is playing football. His words, and I am very proud that he has thought it through to that extent.

I am now without Friday night lights. My son's team lost a heart-wrenching game in the last minute of the game. He and his teammates are devastated. Mom and dad are saddened because he brought us such great joy as we watched him grow from that first flag football game when he had a pick-6! It's been an awesome journey, but it's over. And, it hurts. He's my best friend and to see him hurt, makes me hurt even more.

A teammate tweeted that nobody gave them a chance this year, but their brotherhood and closeness is what prevailed. They will all move on and all be successful young men. But, dad is really struggling, but this dad is so damn proud of his son and the team.

Sorry to be long, and thanks for letting me share. If you have suggestions (I don't drink) to help with accepting it's over, please share.

OL

I too am a retired coach, AD etc. and had to deal with the grieving of watching 2 sons come to the end of their athletic careers. In my case it was baseball in college, although both played FB in High School.
I would suggest you run out an buy Dan Shaugnessy's book entitled "Senior Year." It helped me to cope.

 

[rohrmd9]

We talked about college football - D 3, or walk on a D 2. He said no. He does not feel he would give his studies the attention they will need if he is playing football.

Not trying to persuade you or your son in any way but my son walked on and played football and it was the best thing that could have happened for him academically (I know....sounds counter-intuitive). But he had such a desire to make and stay on the team that it forced him to really hunker down knowing he had to maintain strong academics to stay eligible. Being on the team meant disciplining himself to make both sports and studies work. He was actually struggling more academically prior to making the team because he had so much free time and was struggling to manage it. Football changed all that...the structure really helped him out. That my be an unusual example but it certainly is possible given the right mindset.

 

[bwifan]

I have coached here for 20+ years, but this year I am a dad in the stands. I hold Sunday afternoon film reviews of upcoming opponents and chart opponents' plays, but no X's and O's.
Local radio guys said nothing better than a 5-5 or 6-4 season. Picked 4th in Ohio's longest continuing conference, the Northwest Ohio Athletic League.
First game was against a team picked to win their league (think NWOAL=B1G, their league ACC). Supposed to be tough hard-fought game. My son predicts a running clock in the first half they are so confident. With :17 remaining in the first half, Archbold posts a 30-0 lead on the road. Next play perennial power and miss 3 PATs to lose by 1. After that, the team runs off 7 straight wins only to lose final game in a mud bowl in 4 OT. The team went on to an 8-2 regular season, then 1-1 in the playoffs. 9-3 isn't bad for a middle of the pack team.
Host first round of playoffs and win, but lose 3-year starting QB to an ACL injury. His twin brother takes over this past Friday night and has the lead 24-21. Under 2 minutes and the opponent is literally on their 1 foot line with time running - around 45 seconds remaining after a sack - and no times out for them to call.
A missed INT and they go 95 yards to the 5 on the play. Toss to the end zone and with 22 seconds remaining, we now trail and eventually will lose 28-24.
My son is a senior. He's a 6'3" 215 pound TE. We talked about college football - D 3, or walk on a D 2. He said no. He does not feel he would give his studies the attention they will need if he is playing football. His words, and I am very proud that he has thought it through to that extent.

I am now without Friday night lights. My son's team lost a heart-wrenching game in the last minute of the game. He and his teammates are devastated. Mom and dad are saddened because he brought us such great joy as we watched him grow from that first flag football game when he had a pick-6! It's been an awesome journey, but it's over. And, it hurts. He's my best friend and to see him hurt, makes me hurt even more.

A teammate tweeted that nobody gave them a chance this year, but their brotherhood and closeness is what prevailed. They will all move on and all be successful young men. But, dad is really struggling, but this dad is so damn proud of his son and the team.

Sorry to be long, and thanks for letting me share. If you have suggestions (I don't drink) to help with accepting it's over, please share.

OL

Mount Union is a great D3 program that seems to play in the national championship or semi's almost yearly. Just a thought...

 

[massimoManca II]

I have coached here for 20+ years, but this year I am a dad in the stands. I hold Sunday afternoon film reviews of upcoming opponents and chart opponents' plays, but no X's and O's.
Local radio guys said nothing better than a 5-5 or 6-4 season. Picked 4th in Ohio's longest continuing conference, the Northwest Ohio Athletic League.
First game was against a team picked to win their league (think NWOAL=B1G, their league ACC). Supposed to be tough hard-fought game. My son predicts a running clock in the first half they are so confident. With :17 remaining in the first half, Archbold posts a 30-0 lead on the road. Next play perennial power and miss 3 PATs to lose by 1. After that, the team runs off 7 straight wins only to lose final game in a mud bowl in 4 OT. The team went on to an 8-2 regular season, then 1-1 in the playoffs. 9-3 isn't bad for a middle of the pack team.
Host first round of playoffs and win, but lose 3-year starting QB to an ACL injury. His twin brother takes over this past Friday night and has the lead 24-21. Under 2 minutes and the opponent is literally on their 1 foot line with time running - around 45 seconds remaining after a sack - and no times out for them to call.
A missed INT and they go 95 yards to the 5 on the play. Toss to the end zone and with 22 seconds remaining, we now trail and eventually will lose 28-24.
My son is a senior. He's a 6'3" 215 pound TE. We talked about college football - D 3, or walk on a D 2. He said no. He does not feel he would give his studies the attention they will need if he is playing football. His words, and I am very proud that he has thought it through to that extent.

I am now without Friday night lights. My son's team lost a heart-wrenching game in the last minute of the game. He and his teammates are devastated. Mom and dad are saddened because he brought us such great joy as we watched him grow from that first flag football game when he had a pick-6! It's been an awesome journey, but it's over. And, it hurts. He's my best friend and to see him hurt, makes me hurt even more.

A teammate tweeted that nobody gave them a chance this year, but their brotherhood and closeness is what prevailed. They will all move on and all be successful young men. But, dad is really struggling, but this dad is so damn proud of his son and the team.

Sorry to be long, and thanks for letting me share. If you have suggestions (I don't drink) to help with accepting it's over, please share.

OL

I feel your pain... enjoyed watching my oldest play 6yrs of football from 7th grade Modified all the way to varsity... senior season wrapped up last month in a horrible playoff loss...

Over the years I enjoyed capturing action photos, and, as I upgraded my equipment (and got better) I fell into a role of sideline parent-photographer. I enjoyed taking hundreds of shots each game of all the kids and shared them with the parents if the players... kids loved the shots as they uploaded the action pics to their HUDL profiles.... really enjoyed getting fantastic shots of those kids who, like me back in the early eighties, saw mostly mop-up duty... even better yet I was able to nab some nice ones of my son that I just would not get from the stands. Not sure what I'll miss more - watching my son play or taking photos on the sideline...

At the close of their final contest I captured some gut-wrenching candids of teammates sobbing and consoling each other... particularly the guys who had their senior year ended by injury earlier in the season... I was incredibly emotional ...

Sadly my younger son is a HS frosh who elected not to play FB this fall following two years of modified ball where he was playmaker at DE / TE... doing travel Lax instead (which I love to watch) ... he claims he doesn't miss football - ultimately I can't be disappointed with that response

 

[delcoLion]

I just wanted to say congrats to you and your son, and to all the dads & their boys who followed your post. I wish them all the success & good fortune that life can offer.

 

[Big 0]

I have coached here for 20+ years, but this year I am a dad in the stands. I hold Sunday afternoon film reviews of upcoming opponents and chart opponents' plays, but no X's and O's.
Local radio guys said nothing better than a 5-5 or 6-4 season. Picked 4th in Ohio's longest continuing conference, the Northwest Ohio Athletic League.
First game was against a team picked to win their league (think NWOAL=B1G, their league ACC). Supposed to be tough hard-fought game. My son predicts a running clock in the first half they are so confident. With :17 remaining in the first half, Archbold posts a 30-0 lead on the road. Next play perennial power and miss 3 PATs to lose by 1. After that, the team runs off 7 straight wins only to lose final game in a mud bowl in 4 OT. The team went on to an 8-2 regular season, then 1-1 in the playoffs. 9-3 isn't bad for a middle of the pack team.
Host first round of playoffs and win, but lose 3-year starting QB to an ACL injury. His twin brother takes over this past Friday night and has the lead 24-21. Under 2 minutes and the opponent is literally on their 1 foot line with time running - around 45 seconds remaining after a sack - and no times out for them to call.
A missed INT and they go 95 yards to the 5 on the play. Toss to the end zone and with 22 seconds remaining, we now trail and eventually will lose 28-24.
My son is a senior. He's a 6'3" 215 pound TE. We talked about college football - D 3, or walk on a D 2. He said no. He does not feel he would give his studies the attention they will need if he is playing football. His words, and I am very proud that he has thought it through to that extent.

I am now without Friday night lights. My son's team lost a heart-wrenching game in the last minute of the game. He and his teammates are devastated. Mom and dad are saddened because he brought us such great joy as we watched him grow from that first flag football game when he had a pick-6! It's been an awesome journey, but it's over. And, it hurts. He's my best friend and to see him hurt, makes me hurt even more.

A teammate tweeted that nobody gave them a chance this year, but their brotherhood and closeness is what prevailed. They will all move on and all be successful young men. But, dad is really struggling, but this dad is so damn proud of his son and the team.

Sorry to be long, and thanks for letting me share. If you have suggestions (I don't drink) to help with accepting it's over, please share.

OL

It can be tough. My daughters’ high school team made it to the OHSAA Div. I semifinals last year and lost to a Catholic school that recruits players from a large area. Unfortunately Ohio refuses to cut the Catholic schools out from from the same playoff divisions that the public schools have to play in. The system is rigged in favor of the Catholic schools who win the majority of the state championships every year. PSU QB recruit Clifford’s team was able to beat the team our high school lost to in the finals which is a testament to his abilities. But it was a real blow to the our high school team to get that far and not make the finals. A lot of the team were really down and disappointed after the game.

As far as your son’s choice, it was obviously the right one. My practice partner’s son was a 2nd string all-State offensive tackle, but was on the small size weight wise playing at 6’6” and 225lbs. He chose to go to college to concentrate on his studies and not play college ball. He didn’t even play IM football. However, he got scores of letters and phone calls from Div. I coaches wit scholarship offers when he was a senior, but his heart was into doing well academically and not into the time commitment Div. I football demands. He is now a practicing family physician.

 

[OhioLion]

He is now a practicing family physician.

My son is looking to be a physical therapists, but lately has entertained ideas of strength coach. Not a lot of them out there, but we do have a very good connection to discuss that with in the coming months.

And, yes, OHSAA has failed to level the competitive balance in Ohio HS sports. No matter what formula they want to design, until they make a serious effort that will hinder the parochial/private schools from winning the majority of state championships, it will not be fair competition.

OL

 

[Big 0]

My son is looking to be a physical therapists, but lately has entertained ideas of strength coach. Not a lot of them out there, but we do have a very good connection to discuss that with in the coming months.

And, yes, OHSAA has failed to level the competitive balance in Ohio HS sports. No matter what formula they want to design, until they make a serious effort that will hinder the parochial/private schools from winning the majority of state championships, it will not be fair competition.

OL

I wish your son the best of luck and much success in both his college career and eventual chosen profession. If he does choose PT, that could go hand in hand with being a strength coach. PT does require an advanced degree so it’s about 7 years of schooling (two of my daughter’s friends from undergrad school are physical therapists).

 

[john4psu]

That's great that you were there for your son's athletic events and you'll both have memories that will last forever. That is truly important.

As for the outcome, when I played sports and would be upset over a loss, no matter what I'd say my father would simply say, "Somebody gotta win, somebody gotta lose." It was of no comfort to me and I'd go on and on and all he'd say was, "Somebody gotta win, somebody gotta lose."

So when my son played HS football and he lamented about the mistakes they made that cost them the game, what came out of my mouth, in my father's accent no less, "Somebody gotta win, somebody gotta lose."

And it's true.