The Final Chapter - Alder 2017

 In the last week of the season we traveled to Graham for the final regular season game of this senior year. This was a memorable game but only because it was the most miserable game I have ever sat through. (36-38 degrees, constant driving rain, and wind) Most of the starters would only see the field for the first 1/2 of this cold, slippery, contest. Alder took care of business in the one sided mess. Stacy and I joked about leaving early but never did hoping maybe he would see the field again. After the game, Nolan said "I can't believe you guys stayed for all of that." Someday you'll understand, bud.

 So we advanced onto the Playoffs and ended up heading to Clinton Massie for our first round contest......

 Friday November 3rd, It was perfect football weather. We arrived in our seats early as we always do. The Alder defense played well enough to win, holding the Massie Falcons who were averaging 47 points per game, to a season low of 17. In the first 1/2 we had several opportunities to capitalize on Massie mistakes, but our offense could not find its stride. Trailing 7-0 at half time, was a fairly good place to be in as we got the ball to start the 2nd 1/2. Alder came out and got points tying the game at 7's. The defense stayed strong and held Massie to 3 on their next possession. Trailing 10-7 the Alder offense stalled again, and could not find the way to the end zone.

We fell in this physical contest 17-7 to a very good, and very physical Massie team.

 For Nolan there were a couple pretty memorable things from this game and the week leading up to it. This week he was named CBC (Central Buckeye Conference) defensive player of the year, won the CBC "sack" title, and was named first team all CBC. Thus accomplishing and exceeding a goal he had set at the onset of the season as 1st team all CBC. Additionally, since then, he's been named All district Defensive player of the year. He says the all CBC award means more because it comes from the coaches you play against. Next is that he played at a high level in this contest. I don't have any tackle numbers, and he did not have any sacks against this run first team, but he impacted the game every snap in a positive way just as he did all year. One play specifically stands out.. Late in the 4th quarter, I saw Preston roll out wide to the right side of the field, and then turn and throw the ball backwards across the field. All the sudden it dawned on me, this was the tackle throw back play Nolan had been talking about for the last 2 years. He caught the ball and advanced forwarded. He didn't take it to the house for the score, but he did pick up about 5-6 yards on the play. He was quite an offensive player when he was a young, but the days of catching passes and scoring touchdowns had long since passed. But on this night in his final game, he got called on to catch one more pass. Stacy LOST her mind!!! Finally with about 1:30 on the clock, I saw him come to the side line limping badly. Totally out of character for him, I knew there was reason for concern. We've since learned that he has a least partially torn his MCL bringing his fantastic senior season to an end just 1:30 sooner than it had too.

 We were all pretty emotional after the game, sad for the seasons end and really concerned about his knee. I ran all the way around the fence surrounding the Massie football field to catch up with him before going into the locker room. I gave him one final hug in football pads, and watched him hobble on in. While we were waiting for him to come back out, we got one of the best complements we've ever gotten from any coach. Coach Kyle stopped Stacy and I and told us that Nolan was the most fierce competitor he had ever coached and that he knew no matter what Nolan did in life he would be hugely successful because of it. He noted that it was a reflection of the parenting that we had given him. What an amazing thing to hear someone say about your child, very humbling.

So with all of this done and written, this is the final chapter of Nolan's senior season football blog. Your road to recovery is ahead of you, but it will only be a speed bump in your road of goals and aspirations. Take everything you have learned being part of this team the last 4 years, and all the other teams before that and apply them to everything you do. Should you follow through and enlist, the US Navy will be lucky to have you, and your mom, me, our family, and the rest of the citizens of this great country will all be safer for having you and your new teams protecting us in the years to come. Never lose that relentless drive that coach Kyle sees in you, but above all son, no matter what it is, or where you are, don't ever give up.

We love you and we are as proud as ant two parents can be.

Dad

That's #52 with the ball!