I’ve been getting teased about my killer farmer’s tan since Saturday, but I wouldn’t say I’m upset about it. There are plenty of worse reasons for looking kind of like a weird lobster-man than watching football all day.
I spent almost all day and the early evening at the Tri-County Youth Football and Cheerleading Conference Superbowl, watching four Plant City Dolphins teams do their thing. The matchups were good, the stakes were high and the kids were happy to be there. You can’t go wrong, win or lose.
It felt about 100 degrees hotter this year than it did the last two years, though we did get the nicest Superbowl weather I’ve had since I’ve been in Plant City. The heat had me seeking cover several times throughout the day, but the Dolphins were gracious about sharing some water with me.
The Midgets game against the East Bay Bucs was my favorite of the day, and not just because our local team won. That 20-13 overtime win was hard-fought, and the energy was infectious. Zykee Carpenter played so well that I just had to pull him aside after the win and do an interview on the spot. The emotion from the team was so great, especially knowing that the Midgets were the only Dolphins team to take a loss in last year’s Superbowl. And, of course, regular TCYFCC fans and observers know that the Dolphins and Bucs always play each other well, no matter the division, and keep it friendly both on the field and in the stands. That’s a good, healthy rivalry, right there.
Even though three out of the four Dolphins teams lost, it’s still good to say that you played well enough this season to be one of the two teams that actually made it. I saw that some kids, young and old, weren’t too happy about losing their games. I’m sure their coaches talked them through it, which I did hear in some cases, but I still have some advice for those young men.
There’s still plenty of football for you to play, whether you’re staying in TCYFCC or going on to high school ball (or wherever). Losses like these are as good a teaching tool as anything, no matter what sports you play, and you’ll always have a chance to get in another championship game if you learn from your mistakes. There’s no need to be angry or sad: just pick your head up and get ready to work with that trophy in mind.
Congratulations to the Midgets team, which played one heck of a game and deserved that trophy as much as any other team that played that day. The rest of the TCYFCC should watch out for those kids from here on out, because there are some certified ballers on that squad and we may see a few of them playing on Saturdays and Sundays down the road.
I don’t know about you all, but I can’t wait to get back out there next year. Hopefully, I’ll remember sunscreen.