Like Cats and Dogs

Every Sunday night, Coach Bailey comes in from the film session and says, "I don't think we can beat 'em." He's not just saying that. It's evidence of one of the things that makes him a great coach (and one of the reasons I'm so crazy about him), he respects his opponents strengths. He can look at a team and pick out what they do well regardless of their wins and losses. Usually, though, at the end of a week of relentless preparation, he is more optimistic, feeling like they have found ways to have a fighting chance. However, there are times when, on paper, one team outmatches another, and finding ways to gain an advantage is more difficult. It seemed this was true of the Lafayette Bulldogs.

There's a reason that you play the game, though. Some teams don't care how they look on paper. Some kids understand that, as long as they are fighting, they have a fighting chance. This really is why we play the game. They say, it doesn't matter whether you win or lose. But, that's not altogether true. Cliche' or not, playing sports IS about winning - in life.

Sometimes, the guy lined up on the other side of the ball is bigger, stronger, faster, and smarter than you. Sometimes, the challenges you face seem impossible. Sometimes, you don't know how you can win. So what do you do?

You fight. For that extra yard. You hang on. And make that tackle. In sports and in life, you do what you have to do. You want that job; you fight. Your marriage seems to be falling apart; you hang on. Things get tough; you get tougher. More cliche', I know...but it's true.

The Bobcats brought home another huge win tonight, defeating the Bulldogs by a score of 27-20. Another come-from-behind victory sealed by another interception, like last week. Again, a group of young men work together, each doing everything he can to achieve the goal, to rise to the challenge, refusing to quit. Across the field, the Bulldogs gave all they had as well. Even after giving up 20 unanswered points, they marched down the field and found the end zone. Young men on both sidelines learned more about themselves tonight. It's likely that neither the Dogs nor the Cats realize how important these lessons are or will be long after they take their last snaps, but they are learning.

They are learning that no one is going to give you everything you want, things worth having don't come easily, and sometimes life knocks you down. When it does...you fight. Like cats and dogs.