It All Starts With Someone

When I was little I always watched football with my family. It would be our Sunday routine. We would go to the store and stock up on junk food, put our jerseys on, and watch the game. I always admired the guys that played on the big screen. I looked up to them, not only as athletes, but as people. I always wanted to play football and I strived to be as good as them. Whenever I went to practice I would think about how hard they hit and I always thought I could do the same. You're probably thinking, where are you going with this?
A couple weeks ago I had a girl approach me who wanted to interview me for a school project. I gladly said yes. She wanted to know everything about football. She told me she was inspired by me and that she was thinking of playing.
Also, about a month ago my boyfriend's little sister told me she was so excited because her parents finally said she was allowed to play football.
It's crazy to my knowing that I'm the reason some girls want to play the sport. I'm the guy on the big screen for them.
During the summer I'm excited because I will be able to help coach my boyfriend's little sister, Ella. She will be playing on my little brother's team, who is 44-0. It's nice because my dad coaches the line for their team and that's the position she will be playing and coincidentally the position that I play. I'm so excited to see her progression throughout the year and hopefully she has as much of a blast as I do when I play.
Another exciting thing this summer is GOAT Camp, where I also have the opportunity to coach. GOAT Camp stands for greatest of all time, it is in memory of Aaron Alford (former athletic director that passed away). This is a camp where over 150 kids come from the ages of 8-14 to learn and play the game of football. This past summer there was one girl in the midst of all the boys. She was confident and it was awesome to watch her. It's an easy and fun camp for girls to get the feel of playing with the boys without any contact. I'm encouraging more girls to go and hopefully I get to have the privilege of coaching some of them.

Coaches and high school players at the Goat Camp this past summer

Seeing these girls looking up to me has inspired me to do better. Knowing that I'm a role model to even one person is mind blowing to me. You never know these girls might start varsity some day, more girls might start playing, a girls league may form. It all starts with someone. One motivational person can give someone the last push to do what they've always wanted.

Regular Season

The regular season has finally started for lacrosse. Although this adds on to everyones already busy schedule, it's honestly on of the best times of the year. We have had two home games and two away games so far.
For away games we wear Park City Lacrosse attire to school to be comfy. For the past two games we have left right away school on a Charter bus. While the bus is very nice, it makes me so so nauseous. Whenever I'm on it I have the urge to jump out a window. The bus rides usually consist of our pump up playlist blasting, eating, gossiping, putting cleats on, and more eating. The rides have only been about an hour which isn't bad at all. Once we get to the school we usually take a quick bathroom break and then get warmed up. Warm ups go by really fast and before I know it it's time for stick checks. Our coaches give us a pep talk, we do our cheer, and then the game is in full blow. The past two away games we have had have been against Riverton and Bingham. The games have ended being a lot to a little with us winning both.

Me at one of our away games

Our schedule is a little different when we have home games. It starts at the beginning of the day when we dress up. Most people wear dresses or skirts. It's a hassle to find something cute, but the team ends up looking really good. Home games don't start until 6:15, so our warmups start at around 5:15. We usually go out and grab some food and hang out until we have to get tapped or start icing. Right before warmups some of the seniors go up to the booth and turn on our "pump up" playlist. This consists of Britney Spears, Eminem, Sean Kingston, Jack Johnson, and a ton more (we like to be diverse). We then do our warmups (4 v 3, 2 v 3, shuttles, and stretch), dance a little, do stick check, and finally the game begins.
I've played quite a bit the past two games which is good because my parents got to watch! I also got to start last night against Viewmont because they are a Division II team.
Once the game ends we do a cheer and shake hands with the other team. When the games are home we have a talk about the game on the track and hand out Karen (a stuffed animal for the MVP of the game). We also have the privilege of watching a half of the JV game!
So far both Park City team are undefeated and hopefully it continues! Check out Bridey's blog to hear more about the JV team.

Retirement and Trades

It has been an extremely sad week in the football world. Many teams have been gaining amazing players, while the Niners have lost what seems to be their entire team. To start off, the Niners did not re-sign Frank Gore. The Indianapolis Colts saw that as a great opportunity to snatch him up. He will probably be their starting running back which will definitely be a threat to many teams. Gore was one of the core offensive players, the team could always count on him to gain a couple yards, convert third downs, and score touchdowns. He is an amazing football player and it was really sad to see him go.
One of my all-time favorite football players will also not be playing for the Niners this year, or any team to be exact. Patrick Willis, a six time All Pro and seven time Pro Bowl linebacker. One of the greatest linebackers ever to play in the NFL, in my opinion. He was one of the reasons I wanted to play football so badly. I grew up watching him and my entire family would root for him every Sunday. He has a big heart and love for football. At the age of thirty he decided it was time to retire from the NFL. Football, while it is very fun, it is extremely hard on the body. The biggest concern of his was getting any sort of head injuries. Many players have brain damage from the sport and he knew he did not want to risk it. I respect his decision. His legend will live on for a long time. He will definitely be missed.

Patrick Willis announcing his retirement
photo from: http://www.mercurynews.com

Chris Borland also will be leaving the Niners and the NFL as a whole. At the young age of twenty-four Chris Borland decided he didn't want to play football anymore. This ties back to the ongoing injuries many have to endure while playing the sport. This past season was his first with the Niners. He was one of the main defensive players and was Willis's "fill in" when he had his toe injury. Borland surprised many with his hard hits and impressive field awareness. You could count on him to fill any hole and cover any and every part of the field. His retirement was unexpected, but he left with a good year behind him.
Last and finally not least, the Niners lost their head coach Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh was having arguments with the franchise and transferred to be the head coach at Michigan. While many though Harbaugh was crazy, I really enjoyed him. He had a winning record and loved the guys. This year will not be the same without him and the team will definitely have to adjust to the new coaching of Jim Tomsula.
Many changes were made, but hopefully there will be improvement made. I'm looking forward to see how next year goes. Leave a comment and tell me who you think will win next year's Superbowl!

Championship Game

Vegas Day 2
The alarm went off and it was definitely a struggle getting out of bed. I finally dragged myself out of the room and forgot to even put shoes on. I had oatmeal again (which I actually really enjoyed) and then went back up to the room to get dressed. Once everyone was downstairs I basically ended up braiding everyone's hair and then we left for the field. The warmup was extra fun because of our wonderful pump up playlist. It then came time to play and the first whistle blew. Like before, it was also a blowout.
Our next game was at four so it gave us about five hours to hang out. This consisted of us eating of specialized Jimmy John lunches, trying to get some sun, trying to take cute pictures, more eating, and we also watched part of the JV game.

Brianna and I enjoying our Jimmy Johns

 The five hours flew by (time flies when you're having fun) and it was then time for, yet again, another warm up. It then came time to play (again) and the first whistle blew. Unlike before, oh who am I kidding it was yet again another blowout. After the game we all piled into cars and went back to the hotel to shower so we could make it back in time for the boys game. I didn't even watch the boys game, I was hungry so I went and got a burger and it was delicious. Most girls then went back to the hotel and had tacos. Of course me being me I found something really funny while eating the taco and once I tried to explain why I was laughing I spit up all my food on one of my coaches. Good job Morgan. We were all up for a while after tacos, I hung out in the hall with some girls until we were kicked out by the security guard. Go team.
Vegas Day 3
The next morning was hectic to say the least. I woke up pretty early and got breakfast done with. I then went to my room to pack and get ready, which took a lot longer than I thought. Once I thought I had everything together I went to the lobby to braid some hair. Then we were off. To make it to the Championship Game we had to beat two teams. The first game was fairly easy and the second was no different. To loosen us up before the big game we all had dances to perform, which actually turned out to be pretty funny.
After the goofing around ended we knew it was time to get serious for the game. Warm ups were stricter and we all put our game faces on. Stick check came (the first one of the tournament) and the game had begun. The game was going pretty well and then Brighton kicked things up a notch. We were up at half, but the minutes started to go quickly and we were suddenly tied. With less than a minute left Brighton got the ball and shot. BUT OH MY GOSH MADELINE KOMISAR! Our goalie saved it and time expired. Basically the game ended when we went into sudden death overtime and Brighton got a penalty which enabled us to shoot and score. It was awesome being able to play with the team and take the title for the third year in a row!

Brianna and I after the Championship Game

The Beginning of Vegas

Last Thursday, right after school, the lacrosse team started the drive to Vegas. We all went in different cars because we couldn't get a bus in time. I drove down with my friend Brianna and her mom. We left around 4 pm and with a couple stops we ended up arriving at 10.

Brianna and I on the way down to Vegas

Before going to the hotel we took a quick run to whole foods because we felt gross and hadn't eaten for a while. Brianna got pasta and I got a caesar salad. After preparing ourselves, we finally got to the hotel. I went to my hotel room and two of my three roommates were there, Ellie and Luisa. I put my stuff down and went to Brianna's room because not of her roommates had arrived yet. After a little while I went back to my room and got ready for bed. We all talked for a little while and got comfortable because we would be spending the next three nights together. Within 20 minutes we were all asleep knowing we had to get up for 9 o'clock breakfast and 10 o'clock practice.
I woke up to Sophie (my other roommate) leaving the room, I decided to get up and have breakfast with her. We went downstairs and got some oatmeal and talked for a while. The rest of the group came down a little while after and then we all had to get ready for practice.
Practice was a walk through and wasn't very hard. It was just so we could get used to the weather, the fields, and playing with each other before our first game. Practice was only an hour and a half, right after we went to the hotel to get food and chill before our first varsity game which was at 7. I got back to the hotel and saw that I was sunburned which was wonderful.
Time flew by and we started piling out of the hotel to get to our game. We all warmed up and the game has started. I stood on the sidelines for a while and when I got put in I went for attack, which is not my position. I was very lost and upset because I felt I didn't know what I was doing. We ended up winning the game by a lot and had an hour gap before our next one. The second game was also a blowout and I played some midfield, which was better than attack.

Lauren and I looking thrilled after our last game of the day

 Everyone was exhausted so we went back to the hotel and went to sleep to wake up for a 10 o'clock game. Stay tuned for day 2 and 3 where we make it to the Championship game..!