Grasshopper No.4 coached his Youth Football Team to a championship last year. He thought this year would be more of the same. He would gain the trust of the kids, he would implement very simple game plans and even though they had a smaller 7th grade team, they could out think, out plan, and out manuever the bigger 8th grade teams.
The first few games didn't go as planned and the size of 8th graders was a bigger obstacle than anticipated. Adjustments were made and with super efforts, a 2-4 record was carved out with two games remaining. The optimism for another Championship was obviously gone but hey, if they could salvage a 4-4 record by season end, everybody could be extemely proud. Notice that success was now a 50% endeavor. The original goal got modified slightly.
And if, for some reason, Grasshopper No.4's team don't finish at the 50% level, you can bet that the fighting spirit and team effort make everyone proud. Everyone gave their best effort and that is all you can ask.
So what does this all mean. In the end, it means "wait until next year"!
The success of No.4's youth football team parallels the Wisconsin Badger Football team. They started out the year rated No.9 in the country but suddenly there were a few bad breaks and the realization that they were just a mediocre team. Now we are down to trying to win the Homecoming game and maybe finish 4-4 in the Big 10. Yeah, right! When pigs fly. But the UW Badgers will hang on to the promise of "wait until next year".
There is a slight difference between UW Coach Greg Bielema's effort and Grasshopper No.4's effort. Bielema made over $1 million this year and No.4 probably spent some of his own money for team pizzas. Where is the fairness in that? Thank goodness for the No.4's of the world.
I am undeterred. Valiant efforts were made. If was fun to watch. I will always enjoy football on a cool,crisp, Fall day. And, there is always next year.
Love,
Dad