You know every once in a while, when the planets align just right and everything goes just right for you, just for one day everything is perfect? Well this was one of those days for me. Once I put that helmet and shoulder pads on I knew it was game time, there was no turning back now. Us the Pewaukee Pirates had the same record as Mukwonago white,0-4. Both teams were hunting for a win. Mukwonago was at the 10 yard line and pushing. It was the 4th quarter and not much time left one the clock. “Hut Hut…..Hike” Mukwonago’s quarterback called out. He dropped back for a pass and I knew it was my time to shine, and that is where my story begins.
As the ball was snaped my line a sight was blocked by red and white jerseys and all of a sudden I see an arm cock back with the ball. The ball came hurdling towards me and as I got the ball I thought to myself “how am I going to get out of this?” All of a sudden I see Conner come out of no where and take down the first guy with a spine crushing blow. I went right in the hole that he just cleared from me. After I was out of traffic it was all me and all I could hear was the click clack of my shoulder pads hitting each other with every step I take “click clack click clack click clack” and the noise of my helmet scraping against my head “srich scratch srich scratch ” and my concise screaming “GO GO GO GO!!!!!”.
Running 95 yards seems like an eternity but Once I take that first step in the end zone I am overwhelmed with joy I felt as if my body was going to explode. I turn around to see a swarm of red jerseys sprinting toward me and jumping up and down and I hear the announcer “AND RYAN VAN WILLIGEN INTERSEPS THE BALL RUNS 95 YARDS FOR A PIRATE TOUCH DOWN!!!!”. I broke into the biggest smile of my life.
We went on to beat Mukwonago 6-0 but I’m still not sure what happened that day but that ball looked like a duck that just got shot out of the sky. It was the ugliest pass I’ve ever seen and as the ball was headed my way. I remember my coach say “if you ever get the ball run like you stole it” and that’s just what I did, once I felt the thud of the ball hit my chest I was gone. That day was one of the best days of my life. I don’t remember o whole lot from that day but what I do know is that I’ve never ever before been that happy and excited at the same time. That day was a magical day. I hope to have another one of those day’s this year.
