Homecoming Parade

He always looks so presidential.

Yes, we normally just do football posts here.  But there's no Homecoming Week without football, and the Homecoming game isn't what it is without the buildup of Homecoming Week.  That school spirit makes the game that much more fun.  So there.  As always, click "read more" for the pretty pictures...

9/21 Lincoln 30 - Green Bay East 40

A three sack game, wasted.

Yikes.  The offense should have scored 20 more.  The defense should have given up 20 less points.  After giving up 4 quick, easy touchdowns in the first half, and the offense responding with 4 scoring drives, I think everyone in the building thought the team had righted the ship when they into halftime down just 26-24.  But the defense gave up two more scores after halftime and the offense could only muster one more TD.  You have to hand it to East, they were prepared and ready to play.  We were outplayed and outcoached.  But it has to sting to lose to a team that hasn't beaten you in 16 years.  Luckily, the problems the team had during the game can be fixed.  But it'll take some very dedicated players and coaches to make sure everyone's on board, and that everyone is paying attention, because this team is on the verge of doing the unthinkable: missing the playoffs.

There were, of course, some highlights: we almost ran a kick back for a TD, The Rock had 3 sacks, Hollywood threw a few nice deep balls, and J-Life continued his excellent kicking streak.  And, really, IT'S HOMECOMING WEEK!  BEST WEEK OF THE YEAR!  Only if you win, though...

We Interrupt Our Normally Scheduled Posts

Keep up the good work.

To bring you this FANTASTIC interview with Muscles.  I have a standing rule that anytime one of the players says "asses" on TV, I have to link to it.  Carry on.

Going Hollywood

Quick - guess which one is the starting quarterback?  Now guess which one is the backup quarterback?

Let's do this right here, right now.  Lefty was a dumb nickname.  My bad.  If I'm changing the Swiss Army Knife to something else, it has to be better than Lefty.  So Nick is going Hollywood.  I mean, seriously.  Have you seen this kid?  So, between that and his two interviews with Good Morning America, one as Class President, the other as quarterback, he's definitely Hollywood.

Even The Rock Can Get Tired

Why so far away from the QB, Austin?

The Rock had a sack and another TFL.  He destroyed some guys playing tackle, but had some difficulty keeping his assignments straight while on offense.  Overall, it was a pretty good start to what figures to be a dominant senior year.

10/28 Hamilton 27 - Lincoln 24 OT - Level 2

One last time...

Well, that happened.  The Ships were on the wrong side of a thriller for the first time this season, but they did not go gently into that good night.  Down 21-7 with 7 minutes left in the 4th quarter, the Ships did not hang their heads.  They did not feel sorry for themselves.  They raged.  Oh, indeed, they raged.  Tanner stepped up on his biggest play of the season, completing a huge 4th down pass to Pistol by stepping up and GUNNING the ball for a 10-ish yard gain and a first down.  Suzuki later ripped off an 18 yard touchdown run, led by a great block by the Island of Austin Morreau.  On the ensuing kickoff, The Mayor leveled a hit so vicious, the Charger (who fumbled immediately) was down for 7 and a half minutes (somehow, he returned to the game - how his ribs weren't cracked, I'll never know).

While the Ships failed to score on that drive, Lincoln got the ball back after an excellent three and out, plus a failed punt-fake by Hamilton.  After a false start (thanks student section), the Ships had to pass on 1st and 15.  Interception.  But all was not lost.  The defense bore down, again, forcing another three and out.  After an actual punt, Lincoln went to their best play - HB option pass.  The Swiss Army Knife completed a rainbow to Pistol for 40 yards (Pistol - you were even held coming out of the blocks... how'd you get so far behind them!?!)  After a couple of failed runs from inside the 5, Suzuki, led by another fantastic block by the Island of Austin Morreau, scored a touchdown to seemingly tie the game.

Now, I say "seemingly" because an extra point isn't a sure thing and the coaches may have wanted to go for a 2-point conversion.  The coaching staff, correctly, played the percentages and opted for the extra point.  Mr. Vance's kick, however, was the lowest line-drive PAT I've ever seen make it through the uprights.  I swear, that ball was almost under the crossbar when it ricocheted up and over, clearing the sticks for the extra point.

Sure, OT sucked.  You'll hear no argument from me.  Just remember that only one team in Division 1 ends the season with a win.  The odds were against you.  You had a great chance but, really, a coin-toss was all the difference.  You had a great season, one that you will remember for the rest of your lives.  Heck, I saw two former Ships from the 80's wearing their old jerseys this weekend, and they don't have rings, either.  So, congratulations on a great season.  Let's get to the pictures.

No Rest for the Wicked

They don't want to slap your hand, Nick.

That was pretty cool.  Nick made his debut as a defensive back laying the kind of wood that the Mayor would have been proud of.  Later, in a classy move by Coach D, the Swiss Army Knife played the entire second half at quarterback... all while playing defensive back, too.  The Swiss Army Knife goes both ways now?

10/21 Milwaukee Madison 0 - Lincoln 42 - Level 1

It's always a great night for a game.

The Knights never had a chance.  We knew it.  They knew it.  But we had to go through that charade all the same.  The Milwaukee public schools just don't have the resources to compete, to say nothing about having enough kids without jobs to field a team or schedule practices that everyone can make.  Nope, this game was always going to be just like that scene in American History X - a complete curb stomping.  Gentlemen, this was and will be your first and only playoff game that was over before halftime.  Time to switch gears and get ready for a capable team.  But first, let's take a look at the action.

10/15 De Pere 14 - Lincoln 34 - Senior Night

I'm not sure why a bunch of white, teenage girls love Mexican men but, whatever.

Undefeated regular season!  That is impressive.  Great job to everyone on that team.  We've really enjoyed the ride and can't wait for the playoffs.  But before you worry about the playoffs, take the weekend and enjoy 9-0.  Don't worry about 0-0 yet (that'll come Monday).  Take it from me - live in the moment of this.  What you've accomplished with all those countless hours in the gym, practice field, and classroom - it's just awesome!

As for the game, well, we've been spoiled.  This was a 34-14 and I got the sense that some people were disappointed.  That's just silly.  Coming into the game, the Ships were averaging 38 points per game in conference play while giving up 10 per game.  So, yes, 34-14 is slightly below average.  But they were playing an opponent who averaged 16 points per game in conference play, but was giving up just 12.5 per game.  We held them below their average in points scored and we wrecked their defensive average.  Oh, I think it also should be noted that there were only two teams in the conference that gave up less than 14 points per game (Manitowoc and Green Bay SW).  Also, there was only one team (Manitowoc) that averaged more than 34 points per game in conference (Ashwaubenon was second, scoring 28 per game).  It was a good game but a long game.  I guess you'll have that when the other team has 45 pass attempts (please, coaches - pretty please - put in a man cover 2... you have the athletes, just use them).

As always, the story is best told in pretty pictures.  So sit back and put down the remote.  I heard the camera clicking a lot this game...

10/8 Pulaski 37 - Lincoln 40 - Homecoming

The new sign.

(Update - for the Parade, Click Here; for the Pommers, Click here).

I kinda feel like like David After Dentist.  Seriously?  Did that just happen?  Did I dream that game?  I mean, as a sports fan, you watch hundreds of games - baseball, football, basketball, hockey, cricket, whatever - just WAITING and HOPING you get to watch a game like this.  You want to share in that experience, that MOMENT.  Because when it happens... Wow.  This was a once-in-ten-years-game.  This was MJ in Salt Lake draining the 19 footer over Bryon Russell.  This was 4th and 26 for Eagles' fans.  This really was "The Catch."  But now it's the new Catch.  I can't believe that Mr. Vance had two interceptions, a huge tackle on 3rd down late in the 4th, and it's foolish to even consider him for player of the game honors.  That's how incredible Eli's game was.

The game started out a little funny: Pulaski's kicker, who had been kicking 50 yard FGs during warm-ups, ripped a line drive on the opening kickoff that bounced into, and out of, and into, and out of, the Hammer's hands.  Pulaski recovered the fumble and it cost us 3 points.   Pulaski's kicker tried the same kick again on the ensuing kickoff: he was trying to nail someone on our front line and have the ball bounce back to a Pulaski player - an unconventional onside kick.  On the second kick, Eli snagged the ball out of the air.  Now, try and understand how difficult that is - the ball was kicked 15 yards away, right at Eli, with the kind of velocity you get from a kid who can hit 50 yard FGs.  It was an athletic play, which is an understatement, and it gave us excellent field position.

(Interesting side-bar: Eli's game wasn't perfect - it only seemed that way - he dropped an easy interception on the opening drive that would have saved 3 points.  But, really, I couldn't care less - Eli played as good of a game as you'll ever see a high schooler play.).

As we all know, the Ships went down 0-10 but roared back, scoring the next 20 points - halftime score 20-10.  Our touchdowns were scored on a Suzuki sweep right, a blocked punt by Eli recovered by Bubba for a TD, and a 40 plus yard TD reception that Tanner put right on the money to Eli.

We all know how the game ended: after going up by three scores, Pulaski realized all they had to do was pass (away from Mr. Vance, of course).  They erased the deficit and took the lead with 2 minutes left in the game.  Tanner promptly threw an INT (trying to force it to Eli) but the defense held.  And I gotta say, I was pissed off when I saw people leaving the game after Tanner's interception.  They deserved to miss the big finish.

Lincoln got the ball back with about 70 seconds left and 79 yards to go.  They got two first downs on receptions by Nick (yeah buddy), another on a crazy scramble by Tanner, and the final one on a pass interference penalty.  With 4 seconds on the clock, Coach D called a play that had 4 WRs from the shotgun formation.  Pistol split wide left and Nick was in the slot.  Eli was split wide right and some (sorry - I forgot) was slot right.  Nick and Pistol crossed (I couldn't tell if they were running post/corner routes or modified if they were modified) on their way to the end zone.  I'm pretty sure the same happened on the other side, but the HTR makes it sound like Eli ran a drag route.  Anyway, Pistol was the primary receiver and Tanner drew back and fired it into the 25 MPH winds... but the ball landed at least 7 yards from its target - Pistol.  Thank God Eli was also 7 yards from that target.  (How did the HTR miss that part of the story?  And, Tanner, did you even see Eli?  I hope you didn't, because that makes an even better story!)

One other note before we get to the pretty pictures: Pulaski got absolutely hosed by the refs.  Hosed.  I'm not complaining, of course, and you take the victory any way you can, but there was a fumble that was never called (Big Cat), a phantom pass interference that was called on Pulaski and shouldn't have been called (D. Dixon), on the final drive, the refs took far too long getting the clock going, giving our players more time to figure out what the hell they were going to do in the hurry-up offense.  I mean, sometimes the refs have a bad day, too.  We got lucky this time.  Very lucky.  Celebrate.  Enjoy the Conference Championship.  But recognize that if you don't fix that pass defense, someone is going to surprise you in the playoffs.  And we don't want that.  Now, let's see some pretty pictures.

All Outta Pancakes

Either batter is at a premium or he's saving up for homecoming, because I didn't see a single pancake this week.  And I even brought pure maple syrup to the game...

Hmmmmm... Looks like the Short Order Cook has #51 this week.

Jonah: "Sorry, Big Cat.  That one's on me."

That's more like it.

In any other context, you'd think they were about to kiss.

I have to hand it to him here.  Jonah didn't get the pancake, but watch how he throws this Bic Mac eating hog aside in the next photo.

Those pics were taken less than a second apart, btw.  That makes me think he could handle the 195 class this wrestling season.  Just sayin'.

Smallest player Jonah's blocked all year.  In fact, he asked if this was the JV team.

"There there.  Let it out.  Let it out."

All that hugging blocking is hard work, though.  Looks like he needs something.

I swear he's doing this on purpose.  It's a joke now.  He actually waves at me to make sure I take the picture.

I'd say something, but Suzuki seems like a nice guy... just be glad I didn't have time for Photoshop this week.

Giving the People What They Wanted

YEAAAAAAAAAAAAH Buddy!  You want touchdowns?  He'll give you touchdowns.  And a little something extra just for showin' up...

But first things first:  has anyone ever looked better in warmups?

"What'dju say?"

So. Darn. Cool.

Torque.

He wasn't done.  Nope.  Warmups were just the beginning.  He was blocking on kickoffs:

Well, maybe "blocking" isn't the right word.

Returning post-safety punts:

It's mine, Pistol.  Get your own!

Jonah - the idea is to be in front of Nick.  You know, so you can block someone?

Our hero also continued to hold like a champ:

"This is too easy."

And gossip about his sister:

"Really?  She wore black with brown?  That's RIDICULOUS!"

But then, he took his rightful place behind Jonah:

"Still working out, I see."

"Every day I'm Wagglin'"

TOUCHDOWN!!!!!!

But the coaches had enough.  After going up 51-0, there was only one thing they let Nick work on:

Playfake, snitches.

Pancakes for Breakfast Again?

Jonah got it goin' Friday night.  I swear, every week his opponents get bigger and bigger.  Does. Not. Matter.

Ever wonder how he got so good at making pancakes?

I'm all out of pancake jokes.

Nothing like a tasty beverage to wash those pancakes down.

This one actually looks like a fair fight.

Not a fair fight.

These next three photos are all of one play.  It'll give you a good idea of what the Short Order Cook is doing during the game.

First of all, #74 is a Ticonderoga Class Cruiser, tipping the scales at 300 pounds.

Cook don't care.  He just keeps drive blocking.

And that's how far he took a 300 pound defensive lineman for a ride.  I no longer feel bad about being thrown off that raft.

He's got 300lber in his teeth.

Uh, Jonah?  Get in front of the team the next time your butt itches.  We can see you.

9/23 Green Bay East 0 - Lincoln 51

This one got ugly quickly.  In the Ships' triumphant return to Rubick Field, East could not end their 329 game losing streak.  Sources informed me that it got a little dusty on the East sideline after the game.  I don't know what would have happened had, say, the offense completed at least 50% of their passes.  Or if any of the running backs broke a long run.  It was an odd game to watch: a blowout with no big offensive plays.  


We'll talk about Nick's second rushing touchdown, Jonah filling up on pancakes, and TFL's for Austin in later posts.  Let's just get to the action...

#Schmoozing.

Let's not forget that it was Parent's Night! Or that Pistol clearly thinks our staff photographer is a creep!

"Yeah, I think we have the best looking assistant coaches in the conference."

The Captains' Meeting and Coin Toss are the most underrated moments of Friday night lights.  If they can get everyone in the weight room this offseason, we should be seeing two and a half men out there next year.

This one's just for me.  I like that I caught the coin.

Tanner started out the game throwing into coverage...

And overthrowing the Pistol...

And, well, you get the point.

In other news, the Mayor has ended the city's feed the poor program:  NO SOUP FOR YOU!

Hall came to play.  First, forcing an intentional grounding penalty...

Then, on the very next play, cradling the punter to bring him to "safety."

Tanner doesn't ever miss Pistol twice in one game...

Aww hell.  I'll say this for our QB, though - he knows when to get his bad game out of the way.

Hey, Pistol - you aint' draggin' Fatty McFatters AND #54.  Just stop and don't hurt yourself.

It's always bromantical when the Ships score a touchdown.

I gotta give props to the Hogs, here.  I mean, just LOOK at that running lane.  Big A had no one to block.

Flying to the ball.  Literally.

The other underrated part of Friday night lights.

The backups came in shortly after halftime.  There's really only one thing I want to emphasize about their performance, which was excellent, by the way.

Check out the Big O chasing down the one player who could (would) have made a tackle on Clubber.

Without that block, Clubber doesn't score.  And he doesn't get interviewed for the paper, either.  So Clubber better give the Big O some love this week, cause that block was AWESOME.

Finally, how many points did East score?

Looks like a "zero" to me.