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?

Resting for Level 2

With Austin heading to East Lansing for tonight's Badgers/Spartans game, it's good that he had a lot of rest last night, playing just 6 snaps before the Ships went up 35-0 (all stats approximate).  Enjoy the recruiting trail, buddy, but when you get back here, hit the film, gym, and field hard.

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.

The Ring Is The Thing

You know you want it.

It's a new season.  That's no cliche.  The playoffs are different in every way from the regular season.  I've been through this five game grind and, as you can see above, I know what it takes to succeed in it.  You have to dig down deep and find the best of you.  You have to ask yourself, each day, what you're willing to sacrifice in order to play in Camp Randall.  It's not going to be easy, but it'll be a hell of a ride.

Rather than try and break down the playoff bracket or offer advice to defeat a team I've never seen play, I'm just going to offer some wisdom gained from my own experience trying to win a state championship: