This spring Roman, once again, played soccer at the Manchester YMCA. James had not wanted to coach but I signed him up anyway, but to his dismay over half the team had requested him for coach. Overall they've had a really good season. Before this final game they were 3-3 (though we're not supposed to keep score).
At the final game there were 9 of the 11 players present. We started off strong scoring almost immediately by David (the team's most assertive player). Following shortly after that came a goal from Cordell (our most energetic player). Jamal - one of our youngest players, a laid back little boy who loves practices and hates games as he has zero aggression by nature and won't go after the ball when another child has it - got more ball time on the field than he has in the entire 2 seasons he's played soccer. Joey (our highest scorer) scored 3 goals, Roman (best all around) scored 2 - one with the assist of Andrew Dixon (most powerful with the force). I have been so proud of Roman all season, but his decisive stand on teamwork and telling everyone how Andrew set him up to score that goal, so that it was his and Andrew's goal and shouldn't be counted for just him, was too precious! Andrew also scored a goal on his own. Now Andrew has been the kid all season practicing his jedi moves on the field. He's a 4 year old player with decent attention span, but can often become distracted - what 4 year old doesn't? - anyway, from over halfway across the field Andrew, who had just been practicing his jedi force pushes again, kicked the ball and scored an unbelievable goal! Keegan (most improved player) who wouldn't even play at last week's game scored his first goal of the season... and then another! Sam (best defensive player) also scored a few goals. Sam and Roman were on fire with defensive plays throughout the whole game. Owen got in a few assists, and came so close to scoring a goal too. At the 5 minute warning, James attempted a crazy setup to get Jamal to score. He lined up 4 of the strongest players, 2 on each side, to pave the way straight down the field in tunnel formation, but when the whistle blew, Jamal kicked the ball and just stayed put jumping up and down ecstatic to have gotten some more ball time. It was too cute! What an awesome game to end on 7 of 9 players scoring!
After that we headed to AppleBee's for lunch where James came up with awards for each of the players on his own. I was quite impressed by that! I ran to Office Depot and found some perfect sports certificates, complete with soccer ball stickers and all, then printed out the awards certificates when I got home. Finally, it was off to the banquet. It was supposed to have started raining at 4 throughout the entire evening, but at 5 when we arrived back at the Y the sun was shining bright and we had perfect weather conditions the entire evening. Hotdogs and Hamburgers on the grill, adult conversations while the kids had full run of the playground and soccer fields made for a great evening! Last came the awards and trophy ceremony. James told a brief story or memory of each child as he explained their given award. It was wonderful!
Now what? Teeball! It starts in 2 weeks (6/6) and James has been asked to coach. At least 3 of this seasons soccer team will be joining his team too. I know Greg Kemp's final words as he presented James with his coaches gifts, really made for one happy Coach James, so I'll end with those.... "A sign of a good coach is when the season is over, the kids still want to play. Not only do these Tigers want to play, they are on fire for more soccer! Coach James - one great coach!"
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