friday night lights

Paul and I decided to hit the Creston High School football game. Now that we're a few years removed from having kids in school, we know fewer and fewer kids on the team, but it was a gorgeous night and we like to support our home town. Plus, Ryan McKim is now a coach. That's right - the son of our good friends Don and Diana, salutatorian in Amy's class (they're still upset that Amy beat him out for Valedictorian by something like .004 points) is back in town.

Ryan attended Southwestern Community College here in Creston a couple years on a golf/academic scholarship, and then went on to Iowa State where he worked on the football staff - first as a volunteer, but then as paid staff. After he graduated he worked on the recruiting staff - which involved as many as 80 hours a week, a high energy high stress position! We football fans liked his insider position though. A year ago he'd had enough of the burnout job and retired from the ISU job. Eventually he took a boring job at a bank in Ankeny...which also took its boring toll. Ryan is a kid searching for his purpose in life. He loves to coach!

This summer, some Creston folks came calling to Ryan. The high school was in search of an assistant girl's basketball coach. They could use his help on the football coaching squad. The college needed a golf coach. All these jobs aren't a career - but are enough for him to get through a year and decide - is this something he wants to spend his life doing? Ryan moved back to Creston from Ames in early August (much to his cute girlfriend Megan's chagrin!) Last Friday night was "Game Night" and we wanted to go to support him as much as anything.

We got to sit by the nervous mommy - Diana, and some other friends. The temperature was perfect, and there was no wind. Football Friday night baby! Creston was playing the Chariton Chargers - the home of Alternative Leslie and Paul Goldsmith. Since their kids are grown they didn't travel to the game. Creston's team is pretty young, but there is a huge senior, Collin Bevins, who has verbally committed to play in college at Iowa State (feather in Ryan's cap there) who plays on the line. And Brad Weis is the bro of one of Jud's classmates who also plays both ways - he's pretty good. Creston ended up winning 30-7. Chariton scored on the subs with less than a minute left. Creston could use Jud Goldsmith's rocket punting leg...

Collin Bevins #55 ices his ankle at the end of the game

I got to chat with my buddy Deb at halftime, and chat with other friends briefly. It was an enjoyable night. I'm sure Ryan was pumped. While our jobs aren't always fun, he was probably enjoying his decision that night!