Football and Pancakes

It was pretty amazing last Friday night to see how many people from Clinton made the trek over to Slinger for the State Semi-Final Division Five Playoff Game. It was a beautiful, cool, crisp night and the venue was just exceptional. Complete with field turf and exceptional lighting, the Slinger High School Stadium was a thing of beauty. With enthusiasm at a feverish pitch, our young men took the field and using their amazing speed and strength battled back and forth in a see-saw affair. Each team seemed to have their offensive game clicking as we traded touchdowns back and forth for the entire game. As good as our running game was, the Cedar Grove/Belgium passing game also was just as excellent. In fact, not since 1983, when I watched Paul Chyrst, Platteville High School’s QB and current Badger Head Coach, pick apart defenses in route to a State Championship have I seen a high school QB like the one we saw Friday night. His name is Josh Weiss and he is big time. In fact he is a finalist for ‘Player of the Year’ in Wisconsin at his position. He threw for 362 yards against us and we have some pretty impressive defensive backs in their own right.

The game itself was as good a high school football game as you will ever see. When the dust settled, however, our young men came up one touchdown short on the scoreboard. But, they have nothing to hang their heads about. Their ability to fight back over and over again in this game says a lot for themselves, the coaches and their parents; who have all helped to instill these virtues into their lives. This team just wouldn’t quit and for that we are very proud.

Let me give a shout out to the Emmanuel Reformed Church and Pastor Clyde Rensink for another great season of ‘Friday Morning Football Breakfasts.’ I believe this is about the 15^th year that these wonderful people have generously prepared a meal during the season for these hungry players, coaches and managers. Pastor Clyde has delivered some very timely words of wisdom as well. In the south these kinds of things are extremely common, and it’s nice to see our community giving value to such a program. So thank you for all the French toast, biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, ham and toast and of course, pancake breakfasts that you have provided, not just this year, but for many, many, years. You have gone above and beyond the call of duty for years and years, and this community is blessed by your generosity. It’s a great example and blessing to see how well you work together to serve in this way.

Jesus said this in Matthew 20:28; “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Thanks again! Until next week, may ‘God Bless You All.’