Compiled by Steve Spiewak
MaxPreps.com
1. Blind Resilience: During the holiday season, it's easy to get so wrapped up in family and festivities that simple things can get overlooked and taken for granted, such as the ability to see. Yesterday's OC Register had an inspiring story about one boy's struggle to compete in high school sports, despite a condition of deterioirated eyesight. His story seems to offer a subtle reminder that getting up says much more about a person than the initial fall.
2. Coach's Farewell: It's no secret that coaches have a huge impact on the lives of many young men and women all across the country. Coaches are the backbone of many schools, communities, and teams, and not to mention, MaxPreps. But in yesterday's Post-Searchlight, it's clear that a coach can leave his mark with members of the media as well. Joe Crine details his one year relationship with Ricky Woods, who became coach of Bainbridge (Ga.) after leading the South Panola Tigers to prominence in Mississippi. Woods will be taking a head coaching job at a community college next fall, and will certainly be missed.
3. Mascot Madness: Today's Post-Bulletin has a great lighthearted read about the good, the bad, and the ugly of Minnesota high school mascots. I know I'll be sure to study it, to help me prepare for the next time we have a company high school mascot trivia contest (note: much more challenging than the college version).
4. Not the Size of the Dog in the Fight: If you lined up the top 10 all-time leading rushers in Texas, and had to identify who was at the top of the list, my guess is most eyes would gravitate towards Earl Campbell, Adrian Peterson, or Cedric Benson. Most would overlook Jacquizz Rodgers, all 5-foot-6 of him. That's perfectly fine for "Mr. Touchdown", who has been defying the odds his entire career, to the tune of 136 trips to the endzone. This article from Sunday's New York Times shows the importance of the size of the fight in the dog.
5. All I Really Need to Know I Learned in HS Football: This blog has a great anecdote about one man's experience of accidentally attending Varsity football practices (instead of JV practices) as an eighth grader. It's a very entertaining read, and his lessons learned are very admirable:
When you feel overwhelmed and defeated, don't give up. Get up, dust yourself off, and try again. Failure doesn't necessarily reflect badly on your character or your abilities - you might simply be in over yourhead. But keep hustling - because if it doesn't kill you, it will make you stronger.
Bonus: In the midst of the college bowl season, with the NBA in full swing, NFL playoffs looming, and the MLB hot stove cooking, here's a well-written reminder about the beauty of covering high school sports, from our very own Mitch Stephens.