Catching Up...

Football Golf Cart - Nicer Than My Truck 

Sorry I have not kept up with my blog very well.  For some reason I have a good case of writers block, and I just could not think of anything interesting to write.  So, I may ramble a little tonight. 

My injured knee is improving as much as I can expect it to.  I have a torn ACL/MCL and a ripped meniscus.  I have also developed a baker's cyst on the back of the knee which is giving me fits when I bend the injured joint.  It sort of feels like my knee cap is going to explode off my knee due to the extra pressure.  The knee is unstable when I turn it the wrong way, or if I step and top suddenly.  I had it drained a few times, and that helps with the swelling.  But, as long as I am wearing my Don-Joy brace I am in pretty good shape.  Luckily, the coaching staff is pretty cool about my limitations, and I don't catch too much flack about it.  Coach Pete DeLuke still makes me carry the camera equipment (two brief cases) up and down the stadium steps every Friday as sort of a rookie coach hazing  ritual.  I think he laughs at me as I slowly climb or descend the 48 concrete steps every Friday night....carrying the equipment.  Thats OK.  Pete and I have a long history of torturing each other over the years.  DeLuke is really a good guy, and he has a great family. 

 I think if I would have stayed off my knee and did what the doctor ordered, I may have avoided some of the swelling, but that would have also meant I could not be on the football field...and that was not going to happen.  I waited two years before I returned to the field, and I was not going to let a knee injury keep me off now.  What kind of example would that be to the kids?  How could I expect the kids to fight through an injury if I was not willing to do the same thing myself?  My knee is hurt...and I am not injured....there is a big difference.  Surgery can wait until later.  

Thanks to TC Palm- I borrowed these photos.   

 QB Carson Proctor - 6'4" Sr QB  One of the best QB's in the State. 

Sr DE Patrick Bethel.  6'4" 260 lbs...one of the best players in the country.  Look at the size of the player trying to block Patrick.  This kid was estimated at 6'8" and 340 lbs.  The poor kid had a long night trying to block my boy Pat.  

Sr WR / Athlete MJ McGriff  had a great night...AGAIN.  This kid is electric...

MJ McGriff AGAIN  

Cheerleaders are really good  

Our football team is 4-0 and ranked #6 in the state as of last week.  We play in Florida's largest classification (8A)  we are pretty solid, and we are getting better every week.  Last Friday we finally got to wear our red and black digital camo jerseys.  I think they look very cool.  We only wear them a couple of times each year....and the kids seem to enjoy the color change.  I think we have as many uniform variations as the Oregon Ducks.  I am kidding of course, but I am amazed by our cloth wear options. 

 I can't believe how large our home crowd is for every game.  The fan support for our program is simply amazing.  Our booster club is the best I have ever seen at any school.  I am very lucky to be part of this quality program.  I think I am still dreaming.  

More later.  

GZ