Grayson - War Eagle!

Grayson has played soccer as one of Coach Frank Murphy's WAR EAGLES since 2007 (ten seasons spring/fall). What a great experience! Coach Frank is an awesome coach who has always put the boys before the win, and has helped develop Grayson in to a good player, and a stronger person. Coach Frank will no longer be coaching for the County after this season, so it was a bittersweet final game and party for this group of boys who have played together for so long.

The actual final game was a real downer, because after playing great and being undefeated all season, there was a Ref who truly had it out for our team. As a veteran soccer mom, I know that sometimes the calls are hard, and may be difficult to understand, but you just accept them and go on -- usually they balance themselves out. This time was blatant, obvious poor refereeing, and even the other team's parents were commenting on it! Long story short, it ended up with one of our players being "yellow carded" (benched) and another being "red carded" (thrown out of the game), and then one of our COACHES being "red carded".

The other team was only one point ahead at this point, and we still had 8 minutes left of the game, and had a likely chance of winning. The Ref then let the clock run down to 20+ seconds before he started the game again, and we lost 2-1. The Ref was reported by about everyone on the field and in the stands. BUT...in the meantime, our end of season/end of an era game was lost. Not a happy day...

PARTY TIME
Grayson's teammate, Briar Cranston's parents hosted an end of season/end of era soccer swim party at their house a few days after the final game. It was a real fun event. Briar's mom, Julie, had made a poster with old photos of the team together from clear back in 2003 and 2004, even before Grayson joined the team. The players and parents all enjoyed reminiscing about the 'good ole days.'

We had grilled hot dogs and lots of yummy stuff...

The little kids swam early, we enjoyed the meal, and then it was time for awards. Coach Frank always takes time to praise each player for their strengths, and cuts up with them, and reminds them of fun times they've had through the season.

When it was time for Grayson's trophy, he remarked about how he had grown so tall and lean since he started (you know Grayson LOVED hearing that!). And several seasons Grayson had been named the 'most improved' player, as his skills and abilities just kept getting better. Coach said lots of nice things about him, and again praised him for having the best SLIDE TACKLE on the team.



Grayson's buddy & teammate, Frank
Murphy (coach's son and outstanding
soccer player!)

On the morning of the last game, all the team suited up and went to the funeral home to support their teammate, Jimmy, whose father had passed away from cancer. Jimmy obviously wasn't able to make it to their last game, so they all signed a 'game ball' for him, and it was presented to him at the party. What a sweet moment...



Coach Frank presents 'TEAM BALL'
to player, Jimmy

Assistant coach John Grant is an FBI agent, and has traditionally gotten the boys cool FBI t-shirts with War Eagle on them, so they have always looked forward to the t-shirts as much as the trophies!

Then it was time for pool fun for the team...

The end of a GREAT RUN as War Eagles with three first place, and two second place seasons -- we look forward to the next chapter...!