warrior bowl

The football season ended this weekend.
The 2011 Warrior Bowl.
Some of the happiest moments of my life.
Some of the proudest moments of my life.
Some of the hardest moments of my life.
Some of the saddest moments of my life.
All wrapped up into one weekend.

I love these boys.

It's no secret I could watch my little man play football every.single.day. 
And that still wouldn't be enough.
Happy and proud.

This tournament was the end of Eli's Warrior football career.
So sad.
He has had the most phenomenal coaching staff and team mates.  We really could not have chosen a better team for him.
Not only did his coach teach him how to be a better football player, he helped develop Eli's character.
So happy, proud and thankful.

We won our first game on Saturday morning against Goddard,12-0.
The wind was blowing 190 miles/hr which made the balmy 40* feel like 15*.  Well, sort of.
But, it really didn't matter.
So happy and proud.

We played Rose Hill on Sunday morning and won 25-19.
Bright sunshine and crisp morning air.
I don't think I've ever felt so exhilerated as I did when that exciting game came to a screaming end.

We played Derby in the championship game Sunday evening.

Well, actually, the boys played but the moms and sisters were pretty excited.
I LOVED wearing Eli's jersey while he played!
I think the moms may have been excited and anxious enough to beat Derby.  But, we let the boys play :)
We were ahead the first 3 quarters of the game. 
And then the wheels fell off our wagon.
All four wheels.
At once.
We were ahead 18-8 with 6 minutes left in the game.
We lost 38-24.
Yep, that's right.
Derby scored 30 points in the last 6 minutes of the game.

Our boys left it all on the field.
There were tears streaming under their helmets.
Tear.my.heart.out.

Once the shock wore off, they had one last huddle and Warrior battle cry as a team.

Wow, I really do love every one of these boys...and his family...and our Warrior family.
I'm so proud of what these boys have accomplished over the last 4 years but especially of what they accomplished this season.
I'm proud of their character and their sportsmanship.
I'm proud of be a Warrior mommy.