This is a good news-bad news story. I’ll start with the good news.

Jeremy’s team played their semi-final playoff game last Saturday and won!

They were awarded a cool trophy

and earned the chance to play in the championship game…in Michigan City…over Thanksgiving weekend. This is great for the team, but unfortunate for Jeremy since the the game is played during a weekend we are out of town. So while the Force team will go on to play one more game, Jeremy’s season is over.

This was his second year playing on the FCA Force team, and he enjoyed his season yet again. He has a coach who loves the sport of football and loves the boys on the team even more.

And now on to the bad news. WA made it to the playoffs this year. Because of their low seed, they went up against the second-best team in the bracket; but despite the odds against us, we had much hope that we could prevail.

The team ate a meal together the day before the game, as they had done every week during the season. Coach gave a compelling and motivating talk, and Jim reported that the boys were captivated.

The game was played in Coal City–a 1.5 hour drive away. Derek’s faithful fan club had made it to every game during the regular season, and I made it clear that there were absolutely no expectations that they drive out for this game. I even tried convincing them not to come… but there was no keeping them away.

That Friday night was even my mom’s birthday! So we celebrated in the stands:

Sadly, even with all the fan support and hope, WA fell to the Coal City Coalers. It was devastating to this senior who poured his heart and soul onto the field.

There were many hugs and tears.

I was especially overcome with emotion when Peter–who had dressed for the game and watched from the sidelines–walked up with tears streaming down his face. Tears not for himself, but all for his brother. He was fully empathizing with Derek, knowing his brother had just played his final game of high school football. I’m even tearing up writing this.

Derek remained on one knee, alone on the field, for a long time, thinking back over the past four years. Coal City graciously kept the lights on for him, as he both mourned and thanked God. One of the coaches finally walked up to him and walked him off the field, and as they walked off, the lights turned off. It was a fitting end.

This was a sad sight Saturday morning, knowing that he would never again put on this uniform.

And never again wear this helmet. Although, looking at its banged-up condition, I wonder if anyone will ever wear this helmet?

As a thank-you, Derek wrote notes and gave my mom and Judi flowers. They (along with Dad and Dave) were so faithful to make every game. Judi even took some days off of work in order to cheer for her nephew.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23)