Scoreless season remembered fondly

To The Eagle:

Sometimes a little story in The Eagle tickles your memory in a startling way. It's like yesterday. But it really was the doo-dah days, my junior year in high school when our football team went scoreless for the entire season. I am not making this up. Toward the season-end, one of our guys "scored" but it was the wrong goal post. We thought he had a slight concussion and was confused running those 98 yards.

Your good story "Football season starts Friday" (The Eagle, 9/1/11) quotes coach Eric Hansen on summer camp saying "by the next day, we moved nine different guys around..." That was my passion those long years ago, placing the talent you had for the best results. Silly for me because there were no, repeat no, lady coaches back then. So I was sneaky, reading the books, snooping on practices and attending every game. Kids would pass me on their way out. After first quarter it was "I don't want to be a jinx." At half-time, it was "I'm hoping to miss something, anything." The Mules won't have that scoreless cloud over their heads. They made 14 points in the season opener against Adna. This team can score!

As to my memories, the scoreless season did not ruin anybody's life. In a few years, it was forgotten. Some team members excelled in college sports, notably swimming, track and crew. I started to learn my biggest life lesson: go with the people you've got, we need everybody.

Vail St. Vrain

Seattle