Game Report for October 12, 2007
Tom Bean-31; Bells-6
Cats Win Homecoming and
Make 15 Straight Losses
a Thing of the Past
Any good coach will admit to, at least once, using the phrase, “It’s not about winning.” By saying this, he tries to imply that there are more important things to worry about than just the end score. For the Tom Bean Tomcat varsity football team, winning has been their concentration for about a year and a half, but who can blame them. After those glorious playoff years, the Cats slumped into a winning drought, losing 15 straight games. Then came the night of Homecoming 2007, and, for those in my class, it was the last chance to enjoy this extraordinary event. Who is there better for Tom Bean to play than the very Bells Panthers who ran away lucky last season? Now came time for revenge, and the Cats were hungry for more than just points on the board.
Unfortunately, I lost my notes to the 1st quarter amidst the excitement. However, besides a fantastic Field Goal by freshman kicker Josh Highlander, not much occurred during those first 12 minutes. In fact, it seemed as though Bells might get the best of our boys yet again. The Panthers strung together some quick runs and big throws which gave them a 6-3 lead at the half. Granted, it wasn’t much, but the point deficit was enough to motivate the Cats to come out swinging, and this provided for fans the most exciting 24 minutes of football any of us had ever been witness to.
Bells started the 2nd half by recovering an on-side kick, but they were held to a turnover on downs by the stingy Tomcat defense. After another series of punts and turnovers, the Tomcat offense sprang into action. Drew Hodge had his number called, and delivered, as always. A huge run down the left side put the Cats at the Bells 34 yard line. Another run by Cody Ottmo put Tom Bean at the Bells 12, and it didn’t take long for junior quarter back Colton Miller to put the home team up 10-6, after Highlander converted the extra point. On the ensuing Bells possession, the visitors decided to self destruct. Tom Bean was there to pick up the pieces. A bad snap sent the ball flying over the Bells punter’s head. After bouncing around for a little while, it found the hands of Miller who ran in for 6 more. The score was 17-6 as the 3rd quarter headed towards its final seconds. But wait, there’s more. In the mere seconds that were left, the Cats’ kickoff went through the legs of a Bells return man. How embarrassing for him, but good for the Cats as they recovered the ball to put themselves within scoring range again.
Those last twelve minutes were the greatest. After a series of penalties, Drew Hodge made a great run that made the Bells defense look like Swiss cheese. That made the score 24-6. Then, the game finally got out of hand; but in a good way for Tom Bean. Miller’s final run in made the score 31-6, and the celebrations began. The Tomcats had finally out done their opponents on the score board, and gave hundreds of students, parents, friends, coaches, and fans hope for the future.
I cannot accurately describe how I felt watching that clock run down to zero. It was a scene which I had been waiting too long of a time to witness. Growing up, I have watched my friends play game after game, night after night, waiting for their opportunity to make a name for themselves in this glorious sport. I have never seen any of them as extraordinarily happy and relieved as they were on that night. I think Drew Hodge pretty much sums it up in his comment about the game.
“It felt pretty good. At half time, the coaches told me that, as a team leader, I needed to control the team and get us back in it. So, in the second half I just played harder, and played like I wanted that victory. I guess I got my wish.”
Now with a win under their belts, the Cats can look towards the next game as they remain at home to play Howe, a team that handled Bells about the same as we did. That ‘W’ on the schedule can serve as a big motivation, especially for a game in which the teams appear so evenly matched.
“I think this week will be a step up from the last game. I don’t think we will be as slow coming out as we were against Bells. We will have that momentum coming from our first win in almost two years, so we should start out pretty good this week against Howe,” said Hodge.
Remembering my opening sentences, this game was, in fact, more than just a win. I am a living example of it. After I returned home from the game, I was so excited about the win that I decided to text everyone I know, student of Tom Bean or not, about it. One of the people I sent a message to, a student, sent one back asking where I wanted to eat for Homecoming Saturday night. This seems like a normal question, except for the fact that I had not talked to a single person about going to Homecoming, and I really had no plans of attending. In fact, I had not had any good experiences with that particular night up to that point. After a few moments of confusion, I received another message inviting me to join that student and her friends as they celebrated this huge event. I accepted, and had a great time hanging out with people that I don’t see that often. It was a wonderful experience. The point is this: had we failed to win, then I never would have been excited, I would not have sent that message, wouldn’t have been invited to homecoming, would not have had a great night with friends, and I would have continued my life thinking that kind of stuff just doesn’t happen to me. That night could have very well changed my life, and I owe it all to the 2007 Tom Bean Tomcat Varsity Football Team. So, thank you, guys. You have created for me unforgettable memories in a time when I need them the most.