State Finals: Take 2

  The season started out a little rough with a few quick losses, but the team rebounded and played quite well.  So well in fact that they earned a return visit to Lucas Oil Stadium for the class 3A State Championship.  The games are played on the Friday and Saturday following Thanksgiving, so it threw a wrench in our plans.  We quickly developed a Plan B and were able to spend some quality time with family on Thanksgiving.

  The team was leaving at 5 am on Friday morning which meant no Black Friday shopping for me.  I was a little disappointed as it meant that I would miss out on the adrenaline rush, but not the long lines.  In the end I think it was for the best.

  Carac and I headed to Indy to spend some time with Grandma Rosie and Grandpa Alex.  Nikki and her family, Justin and Avery, and Carac and I all camped out at Grandma's in anticipation for the big game the next day. 

  We woke up Saturday to a wonderful breakfast of biscuits and gravy, eggs, coffee cake.  We then started getting ready for the game.  Most everyone was dressed in Colt/Memorial blue, and then we took off.  Unfortunately Grandpa Alex was still a little too weak to try to attend the game, and Grandma Rosie kept him company at home. 

I got to the stadium a little earlier than the rest of our group so I could run in and save seats.  It was general admission and I wanted to make sure that we could see most of the game.  Once inside I started playing a game similar to Where's Waldo, except it was Where's Ben.  As you can see, the coaches all dress pretty similar and the hats make it hard to identify who is who.  Thanks to the zoom on my new camera I was finally able to pick out where Ben was on the field.

After I was able to spot Ben the rest of the group started showing up.  It was great to have everyone there.  Melissa was able to bring baby Cooper out.  Can you imagine, a little over a month old and already visiting a NFL Stadium?  Kristina and her husband Chris came out.  Plus Great Grandma Johnson was in town from Illinois and she even made the trip.  She was thankful for the indoor stadium and padded seats.  Apparently there were many of Ben's games that they went to that were outside, in the rain, on bleachers!  Thanks again to everyone who made the trip!!!

 

  Carac and Avery were just excited to be able to play with each other, and spent most of the game laughing or eating popcorn.  I give it another year or two at most before Ben starts asking Carac if he was watching and then drilling him about the strategy of the games. :)

  Ben spends most of his time up in the box during the games, which is nice for me because I'm not constantly scanning the sidelines to see how he reacts to whatever is going on on the field.  Again, with the new camera I was able to pick out Ben during the game!!  The picture is a little clearer on our computer, but Ben is in the 4th window from the left. 

   I won't bore you with the details of the game.  Unfortunately it wasn't in the cards and Memorial lost 24 - 10.  It by no means negates the great accomplishment of making it to the State Finals two years in a row, but I can definitely understand the frustration behind losing twice.  Ben was a pretty good sport and woke up Sunday in an okay mood.  He had plenty of other things to distract him.  The team banquet might be a little hard as they will have to say goodbye to 28 seniors.

  Overall it was a great season, and for as much as I complain about the complexity of arranging schedules the further we get into the season, I wouldn't have it any other way.  Ben thrives as a coach, and does well both with the players and the strategy.  It's also providing teachable moments for Carac.  So as long as Ben enjoys it Carac and I will be there to support him!

Here's one last picture.  Carac ended the day holding Cooper, and I don't think he would have had it any other way!