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!

HS Football

Pablo and I went to Creston's first home football game last night. It's just not the same when you're kids have graduated. It was a close game - the other team scored with less than 30 seconds left to win. No heart pounding for me.

I was just thinking - "I'm getting chilly - please don't let it go into overtime". Yeah, big fan I am. And Paul and I decided the skill level just isn't what it used to be. Of course we didn't have any rose colored glasses on when Jud played. Ha! I bet parents through the years have said that same thing - it's just not as good as it used to be.

Now that Jud is a senior, there isn't anybody left that he was in school with. The only kids we know are siblings of kids we know, or children of friends. It's a whole new group. Very strange. Another sign that we're old!

Going to watch the Hawkeyes this a.m. on TV. Of course the big matchup of ISU/Iowa is next weekend. On paper (and in the mind of most sane people) the Cyclones don't have a chance in that game. Iowa is in the top 10. ISU wasn't exactly dominant in beating a MAC team Thursday night. But we're Clone fans - we can always hope! And if we lose - we're supposed to. Let Ferentz earn his $3+ million/year.

Hawk fans seem to be especially vocal this year - they had a great season last year, which brought all the closet fans out. Just hope they don't become unbearable. I don't mind the people who are fans through thick and thin. But the people who yell "How 'bout them Hawks?" in my face when it's a good year, but go quiet in bad years. Um, they suck.

I must remember my Hawkeye roots - and how much joy the school and the team gave my parents and grandparents before them. And I have to realize it's mostly some jerky fans (and a few players) who have stirred my emotions so. The people who say such hurtful things about my beloved school and wish for its demise in NCAA sports - wanting the Big 12 to fold. What's that about? Why would that benefit the state?

The holier than thou attitude many think is rightfully theirs - bringing to mind who?? Oh yeah, Nebraska fans. Will be fun watching those two fanbases feast on each other. Only problem? Who to cheer for/against!