Grid Kid

Hudson has been looking forward to playing football for a few years now, so when Grid Kid was approaching there was a big dilemma at our house.  Should Hudson play football?  It was a decision that impacted our whole family so we weighed out all the pros and cons.  Ultimately we let Hudson make that decision and said we would support what he wanted to do.  So one morning he came upstairs and said he had two questions he needed answered before he could decide.  1) What about scouts?  2)What about piano?  We discussed how we would try our best to get to piano lessons and scouts.  So with his questions answered he decided to play.

I must admit, I had a bit of anxiety about the whole deal.  It is a pretty demanding program and I knew it would happen during one of our busiest times of the year.  I actually called several parents to talk to them about it.  We got him signed up and I felt like a fish out of water.  Football is so foreign to me.  Good thing Alan Schiess could help him put his pads in his practice pads because I had no idea where they went.

Hudson soon learned that football is pretty expensive.  $100 for registration, $40 for game pants, $7 for socks, $20 for a chin strap, $12 for a mouth guard, and $40 for cleats.  So his summer's worth of working on the farm went to cover the costs of football.  He was a very grateful kid, always thanking me for giving him a ride and going to his games.  The last thing I want to do is raise a kid that thinks he is superior because he's playing a sport.

They started practicing two weeks before school started.  This was still during a time that Hudson had pipe to move and had made a comittment to practice the piano 100 days in a row.  Needless to say, he had to prioritize and make good use of his time.  As it turned out, the neighbor (Rigo Vazquez) was helping to coach and was very willing to give Hudson rides to and from practice.  That was a huge tender mercy right there.

They opened the season with a jamboree up at Skyline.  It poured the entire time that they were playing.  It was a soggy beginning to the season.  The girls and I had come back from Burley to make it.  He was so excited to see us.

They got to be a part of the homecoming parade.  Hudson made a special effort to get his sisters' attention and to throw them candy.

It surprises me how built the kids is, especially when he's suited up and in his pads.  He definitely looks the part, but inside he still has a tender, loving heart.  Delsie always got a post-game love.

It was a combined 4th and 5th grade team.  We went into it with the idea that he might not get much playing time since he was younger and just learning the game.  It was fun to listen to him talk football and rehearse their plays.  He had to teach me a lot about the positions and interpret the play names for me.  He ended up playing tackle and center.  It was hard to find him on the field with all the other players.  I thought he would stand out because of his stalky build, but he blended in with all the others.

They had a wonderful coaching staff of dads who were more concerned about building young men than winning.  But with that said, they had a good year and went into the playoffs with only one loss. Mauricio Vasquez, Chris Street, Skyler Sperry, Kenny Jacobsen, and Rigo Vasquez helped coach.  Hudson really grew to respect Mo.

Grandma and Grandpa made it up to a game.  They were surprised at how much Husdon got to play.

A win against West J on their astro turf sent them to the playoffs.  They went up against Sandcreek from Idaho Falls., an all 5th grade team.  It was a different league and mentality.  The boys were dirty and rough players.  Their coaches had no mercy.  By the end of the game, all of our parents were so upset at the lack of sportsmenship displayed.  It's one thing to lose, but it's another when winning is more important than people.