The Next 15 Minutes: Trick Play
It was time. Time to run the trick play we'd practiced every practice since late July. On this chilly, nerve-wracking November Saturday, it was time. It's the most assured play call I'd ever made. We were trailing by less than a touchdown in my first championship game as the head coach of the Riverside Knights. The players had begged and begged to run the play earlier in the season, but every time I denied their request. They were shocked when the play call came in, but they were excited. Now we had to execute. The deceptive HB Toss pass was a play that Ben and I had run in video games and in the backyard for 20 years. Alas, I was not playing in 2013, but I had no doubt it would work. Our quarterback (the best player on the field) would backward toss the ball to our 260- pound halfback in the play. Everyone (as you might imagine) on the opposing team would run up to try and tackle him because everything they saw was evidence of a run play. The left-handed halfback would surprisingly stop and throw it over their heads to our best wide receiver who would run into the end-zone, which is what happened. Our sideline exploded with excitement as did the purple and gold-clad RCA fans. During the celebration, my defensive coordinator walked slowly to my side and pointed to the scoreboard, which now read that we were leading but with almost 2 minutes left to play. Our opponent had a quick-strike offense and could wipe away our lead in seconds if the conditions were right. He respectfully went back to doing his job, attempting to help us hang onto the lead we had just acquired.
Athletics, just like life, bring out a lot of emotion in people. It is often however, the people who are able to maintain focus in the most chaotic times that are the most successful or at the very least able to endure it. I think of Jesus, who in the midst of the storm when everyone else (understandably) was emotional, stood, and calmed the storm. It's good to have those people in your life. I'm very thankful for Coach Sain and his wonderful work on our sideline as a coach and a physician.
For the next 15 minutes think of those people in your life who have a calming effect. Pray for them. Call them. Encourage them.
Travis Creasy