Smudge Pot

A few weekends back I got to be a part of one of Sean's greatest victories in high school football.  No matter where you went to school or what sport you played. There is always that one rivalry that basically defines your season.  In our hometown of Redlands that game is when Redlands High and Redlands East Valley meet on a friday night at the University of Redlands under the bright lights.  They play for the smudge pot.  A smudge pot is those funny looking contraptions placed in orange groves to keep the oranges from freezing. It is painted half red and half blue.  The winner keeps it at the school for the remainder of the school year.  It had been at REV since Sean's freshman year. There was no way we wanted it to leave in his senior season.

The Smudge Pot..

This year was no different then any other, tensions were running high and the city was completely divided. Its Blue or Red.  Back in my high school days I was Blue to the core being that I graduated from Redlands High, but these days I bleed Red.  Sean and Mikayla are both high schoolers at Redlands East Valley an now its all about the Wildcats!!

As the game went on it was not looking the best for the Wildcats. Redlands jumped out to an early lead, and we slowly fought our way back.  Sean who plays wide receiver as well as the holder had a few rough plays.

Sean running a route in the game..

As the holder Sean has one job, get the ball down!! Well that being if the ball is not snapped just ridiculously high.  Well call it nerves or whatever, an attempt early in the game by the Wildcats to get points on the board turned out not so good. The snap went sailing over Sean's head. Sean was able to recover the ball and end up at the bottom of the pile.

The game went back and forth. With time starting to run out Redlands looked as if they would get the smudge pot back on campus. The Wildcats made 2 minute drill look easy and were able to march right down the field. (This is when I think mom wanted to throw up, Grandpa just keep saying its not over till its over, Dad was yelling about plays, I was thinking got to get this all on film, and Brennan was probably thinking this family is NUTS) No matter it came down to 3 seconds on the clock, and they were down by 1. They were going for the field goal. I think many REV fans were starting to think back about that missed snap. I will admit it came to mind, and I was thinking this game is resting in my little
brothers hands. Literally!!!

Setting up for the play!!!

There was exactly 3 seconds left in the game. The ball was snapped, Sean got it down and it was good!!!!!! REV wins REV WINS!!!

Here is the amazing play!! 

With the game over and REV winning by only 2 with no time on the clock!!! It was great! The students rushed the field!! Mikayla managed to find that big brother Sean on the field!!

After the game I asked Sean if he was nervous, since a snap had already gotten by him. He said NO way

that was gonna happen!!! Always so calm cool and collected that brother of mine!!

CONGRATULATIONS SEAN!!!!

Senior Class of 2011: Smudge Pot!!

4 beat :)