Originally Posted Saturday, September 20, 2008
When one looks at the picture above it will be easy to question the outcome of tonight’s Paola Panther/Gardner Edgerton football game. Sure, the Trailblazers won on the scoreboard, taking a hard fought 21-14 victory over the Panthers.
It will be easy to complain about the obvious missed call on fourth and one that gave the Blazers a touchdown and the final margin of victory when the photos that Gene Morris and I got at the goal line clearly show that the Gardner runner didn’t break the plane of the goal line with the ball. His head crossed the line, but that’s it, the ball stayed tightly clutched to his chest, which, by the way, didn’t come close to the goal.
Sure, it will be easy to cry foul, or say “we got robbed,” but why? What good will it do? Coach Mike Dumpert summed it up best, while addressing a disappointed Panther squad in the locker room after the game. “This opportunity is past,” Dumpert said. “The only thing we are guaranteed is nine games, and three of them are gone. All we can do now is be ready for the next game, because there are no second chances.”
Coach is right, you don’t get second chances, but the Panthers showed us all something tonight. They showed the making of a champion. The played with a toughness and determination that we haven’t seen in a while. They showed heart, and those of us that were in the locker room after the game saw that this game hurt. But many times, hurt is a good thing, lets hope that the Panthers learn from this experience and carry this progress on to the rest of the season.
On a lighter note . . . Coach Dumpert celebrated his 50th birthday on Friday. While visiting with coach following the game he closed his comments by saying “It would have been nice to win that one,” he said with a rye smile. “That would have been about the best 50th birthday present I could have asked for.” Maybe next time Coach!
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