There's always next week!

By Tracy Ebarb
October 23, 2006

We Got Whupped!
After struggling for a couple of days over whether to even mention last Friday's game or not. Then realizing that only a couple of people have mentioned that they missed this blog over the last few weeks (technical diffiulties, please stand by). I finally decided that it wouldn't hurt to talk about it, you know, it's part of the grieving process, after all.1st-Denial, 2nd-Anger, 3rd-Bargaining, 4th-Depression, 5th-Acceptance. The reality is, Wall won - 29-20. We're now 3-1 in District, 3 games to go. The District Championship is out of reach unless two of Wall's three remaining opponents can find a way to beat them, Bangs, Ballinger, or JimNed (not likely). That being said, where do we go from here? I've decided to travel down the road of the the 5 Steps of Grieving. Come along if you'd like.

Step #1 - Denial: It's hard to believe that we lost Friday night. It's hard to believe that we could play as poorly as we did. It's hard to believe that we had still more injuries to key players. It's even hard to believe that it will be months before we can eat at Mi Familias again! I would like to deny that these things can be a part of reality, but I can't, they're real. However, since "denial" is such an integral part of the Grieving Process, there are a few things I'd like to deny: (a)I'd like to deny the Coleman Bluecats the end zone this coming Friday night; (b)I'd like to deny Coleman the right to have two mascots - Buzzards/Bluecats, let's settle this on Friday night for them, when the Longhorns leave Coleman let's make sure all that's left is roadkill; (c) let's deny ourselves the temptation to cast doubt, questions, and discouraging words.

Step#2 - Anger: This one's pretty easy for me, I'm all for "focused anger"! That's right, I'm in favor of anger! Let's get mad! Let's get really mad! Why don't we get so mad that we're just dripping with anger and frustration, then let's collect that "liquified" explosive emotion and feed it to the Longhorns just before kick-off this coming Friday. Then let's climb into those 90degree angle stands in Coleman and continue feeding the players for the entire 48 minutes as they destroy the Bluecats. Gravity works, every ounce of emotional energy we produce in the stands will flow into the players on the field, especially in Coleman!

Step #3 - Bargaining: Here's a bargain for you - I'll trade a win last November against Wall that keeps us playing and sends them home crying, for a loss this October that keeps us playing(maybe with a new sense of urgency and hunger) and sends them home feeling good about themselves, after all everybody needs a little self-image boost occasionally.

Step #4 - Depression: This one's a bit of a challenge. Webster says: "a depressed or sunken place or part; an area lower than the surrounding surface." Sounds like Coleman to me! Thank you Mr. Webster, I thought that was going to be hard. Come to think of it, arent' catfish bottom feeders, don't buzzards live off the dead and decaying. I guess that explains why they had such success with Dragons(dead and gone for years), and Armadillos(road kill hall of famers). Can't wait to see how they stand up against living, breathing, pawing, snorting, raging - Longhorns!

Step #5 - Acceptance: OK, I'll accept the fact that the 2005 season is gone, it was last year. I'll accept that the District is tougher this year than last. I'll accept that we've been hit with significant injuries this season. I'll accept that our Team is still improving and needs to shore up some areas that have proven to be weaker than we thought. I'll even accept that we lost last Friday night to a good team from Wall, and I for one, was surprised by that. In fact, I'm a pretty accepting kind of guy, I guess. So while I'm accepting stuff, let's add these things to the list: 1) I accept that the 2006 Longhorns are an exceptionally talented and hard working team; 2) I accept the fact that Eric Skaggs is the best 2A QB in this region, maybe in Texas; 3) I accept that the Early Longhorn Coaching Staff (Men and Women) is the best there is; 4) I accept the fact that we've been the only team in this Region with a target on our back all season; 5) and, I'm certain that the Early Longhorns are willing to accept the challenge of winning the next 3 District games; 6) I'm also accepting that the 'Horns are not looking past the Coleman Bluecats game, but taking one game at a time; 7) and, I hope all you Longhorn fans will accept an invitation to go to Coleman this coming Friday. You'll want to get there early for a good seat to watch the Coleman Bluecats ACCEPT DEFEAT!

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