Championship Saturday, A Thrill Of A Lifetime
CHANTILLY, VA - Win or lose, the memories created on Championship Saturday will be long lasting. In many cases, they are a life altering moments that live with you forever. The butterflies will be intense, and when the first whistle is blown, or first pitch is thrown, you will be living in the greatest game you will ever play.
The storylines are immense for Championship Saturday. Woodbridge baseball is undefeated at 27-0, trying to tie a state record as one of two teams to ever finish undefeated. Potomac Falls is looking for revenge down in Radford against Poquoson, the team that ended their season a year ago.
The Islanders are trying to repeat as state champions, and improve to 27-1 for the second consecutive year. Lefty Kyle Crockett will get the ball for Poquoson, and while his record stands at 38-1 in his career as a starter, the 39th win is what could etch his legacy in stone in the minds of many.
West Springfield has been on the doorstep of greatness on the diamond in recent years, but 2010 may be their best chance at claiming the hardware. With Bobby Wahl lined up on the mound, the Spartans have to like their chances. Wahl may have big league potential, but all he wants is a state championship ring.
Loudoun Valley and Langley will lace it up on the Lacrosse field for the second time this season, and the finale of the Championship Saturday menu should be a tremendous game, and even better atmosphere. The Vikings beat the defending state champs earlier this season in overtime.
The Broad Run Lady Spartan soccer team is on the verge of matching what their softball team did a year ago. The Spartans will play Loudoun County Saturday for their 3rd consecutive state championship. Can you say Dynasty?
Ashley Herndon propelled Stone Bridge's girls' soccer team into the state finals with 2 goals against Cox on Friday night, and the Bulldogs have a chance at finishing their amazing season without a defeat if they can win on Saturday night. Herndon, just a freshman, has been simply amazing for the Bulldogs this season, and her story needs to be told.
The McLean Highlanders have been slowly rising as a contender in softball over the past two years, and now they are one step away from accomplishing the ultimate goal. They play Lee-Davis from Richmond Saturday at 2pm for all the marbles.
The storylines go on and on and on, and I would argue, only get better as you dive in a little deeper.
Championship Saturday is fun for us here at Gameday too. Friday marked our 350th game of the school year produced online at GamedayMagazine.com this year. When you follow that many games, and that many teams, you become attached.
We've seen the stories develop from scratch, and have watched with a close eye as the heroes of tomorrow began to emerge earlier this season.
It's impossible to not become emotionally invested as you ride down the Road to Glory. I would argue that the only thing close to winning a championship as a coach or player, is broadcasting that final play in the booth as a team storms the field in pure jubilation.
There is no greater moment for the many broadcasters on the Gameday Broadcast Network. In fact, we all fight over who gets to make the last call. It's a moment that can never be duplicated, or rehearsed.
For a senior, Championship Saturday is the last opportunity to place a stamp on a career. To go out as a winner in your last high school game is the ultimate way to ride into the sunset.
People remember some of your big games, but everyone remembers a great performance in a championship game. So here's my advice to every athlete lucky enough to be reading this with a game to play today.
Live every moment, treasure the last game of this spectacular season with your teammates, and leave nothing behind. You earned the right to be here in the off-season, and at every practice, and of course, in every game this season.
Championship Saturday is unlike any other day you will experience in athletics. Play hard, play with class, and most importantly, have fun!
