A new era in the Santa Bowl continues!
After complaining about the "lack of recruiting" from the Youth, they were once again able to assemble 21 people to play.
And like last year, the younger kids got in only for a few plays even when the game became a no contest.
The adults were able to duct tape together a team of 13 which allowed us to rotate in and out a bit. It helped for a little while, but in the first half someone started cramping up and in the 2nd half Shelby and Patrick took big hits in the game, which shook them up for the rest of the game.
I myself suffered an injury and was out for a few possessions. (my heel is killing me at the moment)
1st Quarter
Once again, the Youth are composed of people I've never seen before but a kid called Ethan makes the first catch of the game and runs it in all the way for the first touchdown.
Youth 6-0
Adults struggle to complete passes.
A throw to Ethan once again and the Youth are now up 12-0.
2nd Quarter
Arther Ritchy makes an incredible catch for the Youth, bobs and weaves around the entire defense, goes all the way down to score, making it one of the most incredible plays of the game. 18-0
The Adults continue to throw without success. When the Youth intercept yet again, they turn it into another TD as someone names Graham makes the next score. 24-0
Halftime
Once again, the Adults regroup. The run is decided upon and a new defense is drawn up. I switch out and become the center (something I'll probably be doing from now on)
3rd Quarter
The Youth start off with the ball and are stopped for the first time in the game on a possession. But when we throw again, it's intercepted by Graham and run back into the endzone for another score.
30-0
But the run game is established and (as predicted) its successful. The Youth can't stop it. Julian pushes me in to the endzone (with him right behind) for the Adults first touchdown in the new era!
30-6
4th Quarter
For some reason we continue to throw and after another interception with 30 seconds left. The Youth decide it's not a time to be classy, throw a pass to Graham who scores again ending the game 36-6
At least we scored. There's some improvement there.
I remember the days when the Adults took a knee and ran out the clock. Guess those days are over. The Youth love to run up the score. Something that will not be forgotten in the future. Now the Adults are determined to do better next time.
But what will that require?
1) More men. Playing shorthanded where the Youth have enough to stack 2 teams in killing us. Our rotating subs turned into an injury list, where by the end of the game we had 2 hurt on the sidelines and 2 hurt in the game. We need more people in order to keep our team fresh on the field.
2) A game plan. With our QB showing up 15 prior to kickoff, we couldn't prepare in enough time. So we had to wing it once again in the first half. It's my fault. I should've called for practices in November. Something I will be more diligent in doing next year.
One big surprise for this year was the return of my Dad as a referee. My mom had told me he was DONE reffing. But it turns out Dad had other ideas. LOL
And I'm happy for it. Yes, Dad still has a soft spot for the Youth. He allowed flag guarding from them the entire game without a whistle or warning. But after so many years, I guess it's just par for the course. It was good to have him continue to be a part of it.
We did a good job keeping pressure on the QB. But the Youth were too quick and were able to get down the field, making a catch with amazing speed! We need to play zone defense next year to prevent it from happening.
I don't think we're getting anyone from the Youth next year either. Making recruiting a lot harder for 2025. But I'm going to strive hard to bring as many people on the team as I can.
Here's to another year! See you in 2025!!
