Sunday, August 28, 2011

Seminole Indians vs. Midland Christian Mustangs 2011 Game 1

"This game will feel like a playoff game in August."  The writer of the capsules in the Odessa American was right.  He also chose us to win 34 to 28.  I was shocked and encouraged!


Playing Midland Christian is always tough.  They don't have to play by the same rules when it comes to recruiting and the like, so every year they seem to surface with a few new "star players."  Dexter had casually and confidently said, "yes, we'll win," a couple of times, but players had better say that or their coach dads may become upset.  I wasn't sure.


When the guys ran out on the field and down to the endzone to kneel and pray, they came back yelling and shouting and jumping....someone was yelling loud enough to for the stands to hear, "Play it for Jesus!  Play for Jesus Christ!"  These boys have some spiritual maturity and experience that we've never been a part of before.  They are teaching their parents (including me!) about faith.


They are living on the field the way I know God wants them to live in life....for Him, with all their heart.....gutting it out every play......lifting up their teammates and submitting to their coaches.  Human nature so goes against these things. It says, "stand up for yourself, make yourself known, don't give it your all because you might get hurt, it's too hard."
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I was so proud of our offensive line!



I'm learning, slowly (as a girl!) that without the Oline to open the holes, the guy with the ball can't get very far.  Over and over, as this picture shows, our Oline guys did exactly what the coaches asked them, and Juan Espino, Jacob Burtch, Raylee Suarez, Jarod Adams, and David Moncayo ran through the holes for a total of 369 rushing yards.  Since we are typically known as a passing team, the success of the running game was awesome!

Way to go Kevin Froese, Rance Layton, Gonzo Reyna, Dane Browne, Riley Clark, Sam Shirley, Steven Galvan, Brandon Lujan, Austin Betancourt, Jonathan Soliz, and Taylor Gibson!!!!  They are the offensive line, but we affectionately call them the Hogs.

Juan Espino had an amazing night with 150+ rushing yards. 

The MC Mustangs obviously had spent a lot of time preparing to shut Jarod Adams down, but he broke through at just the right several moments, including a leaping catch in the endzone to win the game.  What an ending!

There were several big stories of the night.  After a stellar performance, Jacob Burtch came down on his shoulder near the end of the fourth quarter.  He was having trouble lifting it, but handed off to Juan Espino three times in the last 2 minutes of the game.  Juan ran the ball into the endzone to bring the score to 28-29.  Of course, we were going for the two....

Coach Burtch asked Jacob if he had one more pass left in him; Jacob said yes.  And with God's help, he did.  Jarod reached up and grabbed it, and I believe God was glorified with this win.

A few of the moms prayed over Jacob's shoulder after the game.  The report Saturday was good, just a mild separation of something.  When we were praying, God reminded me of the verse in Psalm 139:13  that says, "you knit me together in my mother's womb."  I believe God knit Jacob's shoulder together Friday night after the game.  

I love watching God work...and I love watching Indian football!





1 comment:

  1. Praise God! I am so looking forward to coming home to Seminole for the homecoming game and getting to see these young men play! It sounds like they are walking the walk! Those that honor God, God will honor!
    "Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship."- Romans12:1

    Michael Brown class of 1982

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