Varsity Insider: An opportunity lost
Editor's Note: Reed Spiller is a senior at Portsmouth High School and a fullback/defensive lineman on the PHS varsity football team. He helped the Clippers reach the Division III championship game in 2006, the program's first season in Division III. Reed's Varsity Insider column will appear each week throughout the season.
Coulda. Woulda. Shoulda. When a team has first and goal from the 4-yard line, with time running out in the fourth quarter, it is absolutely imperative to score a touchdown. There are two huge momentum changers in a game -- a blocked kick and a goal-line stand. On Saturday, Pembroke's goal-line stand with four minutes left in the game not only crushed our momentum, it led to a 14-point swing and a tremendous victory for Pembroke Academy. When the dust from the Dirt Bowl finally settled, the scoreboard read Pembroke 14, Portsmouth 10.
With eight minutes to play in the fourth quarter, leading by three, we took over on offense at our own 20. Run after run, we slowly chipped our way downfield. For a while it appeared that this drive would be one of those moments that defines a great team -- a long drive that chews up the clock and puts a team away. Four-and-a-half minutes later, we found ourselves first and goal from the Pembroke 4. But as small mistakes compounded, our downs had ebbed down to one, fourth and goal from the 2. There wasn't a doubt in the stadium. Our tailback was clearly short of the goal line.
On the bus ride home, I talked to our sophomore cornerback whose man had gotten behind him on the touchdown. He was sick because he felt personally responsible for the loss. Sure, he made a mistake by not being deeper than the deepest receiver, but he is a sophomore in high school -- the same thing happens to NFL receivers every week. And most importantly, he never should have been put in that position in the first place. We had a pristine opportunity to close the door on Pembroke, but we were unable to finish. With that in mind, and the fact that Pembroke played with absolute tenacity and intensity, they deserved that win more than we did. They straight up took it to us.
So that's one loss in a season of nine games. No need to panic, but last Saturday left some concern. As a team, we never improved last week, from our first game to this past one. Our practices were not where they should be and we didn't get better. This week we must compensate for our actions because Portsmouth battles John Stark at home on Friday night. Last year, they were the best team not to make the playoffs, and this year they are even better than before. They play with incredible intensity and aggression. As a defense, they fly to the ball, and constant blitzers make blocking assignments difficult. With a record of 1-1, this game will have a huge impact on the remainder of our season. A victory, and we are back on track, a loss, and we have a long road back to playoff contention. We are approaching this game as if it were a postseason match up -- this is a must win.
... On a personal note, I played the entire game on Saturday in a brace and my shoulder felt great. It had no effect on me on the offensive and defensive lines. It was accidentally put through some tough tests, and passed with flying colors. I am good to go this week and can't wait to play in front of the home crowd.
