He’s in the playoffs. Not only that, he’s going to play and be tested and have a chance to prove himself. That’s the narrative for me leading into this game at 1pm. Drake faces Tarleton State. Bulldogs vs. Texans. A program that is built on academic scholarships vs. a program built on NIL money and transfers. If you listen to the pundits, Drake does not stand a chance. In fact, they were never a real or even competitive team. Yeah, they beat a team or two, but they have no transfers. The coach won’t use the portal! How could they begin to be competitive through recruiting alone? That is why you wind up with a 17 yr old freshman playing CB and making plays. You find the diamonds in the rough and make them shine.
I don’t know what happens next season. I don’t know if my kid has done enough to be able to hit the portal. I don’t even know if the coach–a likely two time PFL Coach of the Year–even stays. Other coaches are moving on. Davidson’s coach just accepted the HC position at Rice University. That means more shifting in the PFL and out of it. The kid wants to play Power 4 football, and I believe he has the talent to do so. That will be put to the test in a few hours. He will have a chance to show what he is made of and that is all he’s ever worked for. He’s growing. He’s getting better. So the future is his to control.
Some Thoughts:
- I’d love a win. I want to see him do his thing most of all. We are charting a future today.
- On to the next writing project. 12k words. I start Dec 1. If I can manage 1,000 a day, I will get done long before the break. Then it is on to the next one.
- I discovered/rediscovered the habit of sticky notes. Now I intend to slap them on my calendar.
- How does that help me move forward? I am not entirely clear on that part… I keep on searching for the ‘right’ way for me to stay organized and I have yet in these nearly 50 years of effort, found a way.