From the Sports Desk of TLC aka Grandad

On Saturday, Nov. 1, Joe's football team, the Rams, played in the semi-finals for the league championship. The Rams were 6-1 on the season, but the one loss had been to the dreaded Saints, which was their opponent in this game. At the end of the first half, the Rams were trailing by a score of 19-0. They seemed thoroughly beaten. After rousing half-time speeches by their coaches, including Coach Mike Regas who was upset by giving up 19 points so quickly, the Rams were a new team. Joe kicked off deep to the Saints and then made several hard tackles. He opened up big holes while blocking for the runners, and the Rams scored 13 points, and held the Saints scoreless. With the clock winding down and less than 2 minutes left in the game, the Rams scored a third touchdown to tie the game. Then with the crowd in the stands all on their feet screaming for their players, the Rams scored the extra point and won the game 20-19, earning a spot in the championship game the next Wednesday.

Coach Mike delayed his trip to Florida for a seminar to be with Joe and the rest of the 9 and 10 year old Rams on Nov. 5 for the championship game. It was dark at the kick-off, and the Rams battled the Seahawks up and down the field, but neither team could score on the other. Defense reigned, and Coach Mike exhorted his defensive players, including Joe at defensive end or tackle to "hunker down" just one more time and stop those swift running Seahawks. Joe blocked and tackled well, but his kicking was superb. He hit two deep ones, putting the Seahawks at a real disadvantage. As luck would have it, the Seahawks scored a touchdown late in the game to take a 6-0 lead. But, with only 3 minutes left, the Rams drove steadily down the field and punched one in with only 1 minute left on the clock. Then, the Rams threw a pass for the extra point and took a one point lead, 7-6. Joe and the Rams defense held off a desperate rally by the Seahawks, to win the CHAMPIONSHIP!

This makes the second year in a row that Joe's team has won the championship. He had a very successful season.

-TLC