Red Eagles were defeated 7 to 6.........it's over

It's over. Woulda, coulda, shoulda. As my late Mother always told me before a high school football game, "Son, in 10 years no one will remember the score, just do your best". It seems like only last week we were at Wills Park in the blistering heat getting started. Trying to meld and mold a dozen and a half young men into a crisp, hard-hitting, fun Red Eagle football team.

First, a huge thank-you to Head Coach Chapman for giving me the opportunity to join him in such a privileged endeavor. I am sure that some day, Jordan will look back on this year with priceless memories of having his Dad around at practice. Second, a big thank-you to such a great bunch of Dad's who helped coach this team and to those who helped in any capacity to make this football team what it was and to bring a better experience to our sons. Your efforts and commitment meant so much. Third, thank you parents and siblings for the sacrifices you made in your business and family life to get your son chauffeured around a traffic-congested little town in North Atlanta, home to what is arguably one of the best youth league football programs in America.

For me, it was a learning experience. It was good. I hope the love and intensity I had for the team rubbed off on these young men. I'm not an intricate X's and O's type of football coach for better or worse. I do hope that down the road, at the mall, in church, at a movie, at a high school football game, that when your sons see me they will wear a smile and show the same respect to me then as they have this year. I hope they had fun and will remember me fondly with respect. For all of them, it was a learning experience. They were all so different and all such great kids. I'm sad to see it end.

Sometimes playing football isn't all fun. It represents life in so many ways. Once in a while we get beat. Often enough we don't get along. Once in a while we all suck it up on 4th and long in our jobs and our marriages. We make plenty of mistakes. I made plenty this year. They were easy to see and easy to hear. They will make me a better coach and a better Dad.

I hope I will be able to attend our Red Eagle party. My oldest son and I will be hunting elk and deer in Montana from 11/17 to 11/25 and hope the party is held outside of those dates.

Your sons are America's best. Thank you for the privilege to be their coach.