A Rare Perfect 11-0 Season!!

6 on 6? What is that? Is that real football? That was the question that came up this year when we decided we had to have 6 on 6 (Saskatchewan style) football at the high school.  There was mixed reaction, some lads played and some decided "it wasn't real football".

We played our first games up in Gananoque against two teams and after both games I came to the conclusion, "it is very much REAL FOOTBALL."  I was so proud of our boys we came home with two big wins.

As the season progressed, we learned a lot about the game.  Obviously with only 6 players on the field the game changes.  A running back that we would teach, "if run to the outside, don't go back inside, because that is where all the defence is", now we would say, "hey, if cut back inside you only have one guy to beat."  All year we saw this from our running backs and quarterbacks, many many times they just cut back inside and beat the last defender for a touchdown.

Something unusual started to happen as the season progressed, we were winning all our games! It had been 5 years since we were in the championship at Smiths Falls.  We ended the season 10 and 0.  Our final game was played this past week against a strong North Grenville team.  We knew they would pull out all the stops to beat us.  They showed some plays we did not see during the season, including some amazing passing.  The game was much closer in the first half with a score of 35-18.  In the second have we continued to run away with a final score of 63-30.

I am so proud of our boys for an incredible season, there were some great lessons this year:

1. Even when there is change... just play the game!
We learned this year that 6 on 6 was fun, we know it may change next year but I am very happy for the lads that stepped up and played the game.
2. Do NOT listen to the naysayers!
I bet you there a few lads who wished they would have played this year.  It has been many years since we have had an undefeated season and a championship.
3. When you play as a team anything can happen!
That's the reason why I love coaching football! It is a true team sport and we needed everyone to win!

I will never forget this year.  2016, OV 6 on 6 Junior Redhawks Champions!!

THE GREATEST COMEBACK IN NCAA BOWL HISTORY OR YOU MAY BE DOWN BUT YOUR NOT OUT

Wow, I can't believe it has been over a year since I wrote something in my blog.  It was really interesting the other night, I was watching a bowl game between TCU and Oregon.  After the first half, Oregon was up 31-0, what a sleeper!! I was thinking I could just turn this thing off and go to bed, it looks like there is no chance TCU is going to comeback.

Then things changed...

Oregon lost it's starting quarterback and TCU gained it's "mojo".  TCU started scoring: 3 then 7 then 7 then 7 then... 7. By the end of the game it was all tied up at 31-31.  After 3 overtimes TCU won the game.  I couldn't believe it! I had picked them in my "win a free coffee from your friends" football pool.  Wow, I just experienced the greatest comeback in NCAA bowl history!!

This is one of the reasons why I love football so and especially high school and college ball.

Maybe someone of you have been to a game and thought, "it's time to leave", and then your team started coming back.

Well, it's a New Year! 2016! Only 5 days old.  Maybe you find yourself down, you feel like throwing in the towel.  You feel like you seriously missed something in 2015 and it has followed you to today! I have good news for you... IT'S COMEBACK TIME!! YOU MAY BUT YOUR NOT OUT!!

In the Bible in the book of Hebrews 12: 1, 2 it states that we are to: "lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily entangles us, and let us run the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before him, endured the cross..."

Did you know that Jesus wants you to win! To run to win! To play to win! He went to the cross so that we could have forgiveness and a fresh start!! He wants a COMEBACK for Paul Birley and He wants one for you!! Don't give up! Look to Him! Say a little prayer right now and ask Jesus to help you with your situation! The game of life is way more important than the game of football (although there are parallels :)  

ARE YOU READY FOR THE "COMEBACK" IN YOUR LIFE!!