Life is good!

Without a doubt, this is my very favorite time of the year. Of course, I'm busier than a one-legged man in a jump rope contest, but that's part of what makes it fun. I don't do "sit around and relax" very well, so busy is more my style.

Naturally, THIS year is even better than year's past since I remarried this past summer. My wife is absolutely the most wonderful woman EVER!!! In addition, though, I was given the pre-AP classes this year and it's been a lot of fun so far. It's hard to describe how much energy you get from teaching a bunch of kids who're excited to be there, engaged in the learning process, asking intelligent questions, doing the work, etc. It's a blast so far. Also, football season is in full swing and my coaching partner and I got some halfway decent kids to work with this year, so we're trying to make the most of it. Although our first game was against one of the traditionally weaker teams in the district, we DID beat them! The 8th grade game was called at halftime because of lightning, so we only won 12-0, but it could have been 35-0 just as easily. The 7th-grade game was a little closer.

7th grade games are a little strange, especially the first several. Our district allows the coaches to be on the field with their teams during these first few games to help the players get into position, etc. I coach the defense for both grade levels, so I take a lot of pride in the kid's performance on the defensive side of the ball especially. On the other team's first possession, we stopped them cold on three consecutive downs. We had them 4th and 14. Few teams at this level ever punt - they just don't kick that well at the 7th grade level - so the other team went for it on fourth down. Even though we hit their ball carrier about 5 times in the backfield, nobody wrapped him up, and he went about 75 yards for a touchdown. They ran in the conversion to make it 7-0 (extra point kicks are worth two points; runs or passes into the end zone on a conversion are worth one point in our district). We got the ball on the kick-off and started a drive that ended with the end of the half and a last-play touchdown and extra point to tie it at 7 apiece. Then the defense went to work. We stopped them cold on their next possession and took over on downs. Again we scored on our next possession to make it 14-7. Then we stopped them again. When time expired, we were driving again, but the kids were really happy to get a win in their first game!

You know, coaching at this level doesn't pay a whole lot. In fact, when the time spent in practice and at games is weighed against the monetary gain, it wouldn't be worth it to most people, but I wouldn't trade it for anything! I remember very few of my 7th-grade classroom teachers, but I'll always remember my 7th-grade football coach - Coach Campbell. I don't remember much at all about my 8th grade classes (except my honors English class - THAT was a hoot!), but I'll never forget Coach Teutsch. I think what I do matters a lot to a lot of young men, and those guys are our future, so I think I'll stay with it as long as I can!

Next week we've got a little tougher opponent, so here's praying for success and no injuries! LIC, Dan