Matt Higgins, absent since week one, came back with a vengeance. Claiming a myriad of excuses, including throwing away his spikes, Higgins appeared eager to make up for lost time.
A rare drop for Higgins.
Although starting a bit slow, probably due to his adjusting to the new 'Wam 2-4 defensive alignment (2 kids, 4 adults), Higgins found his stride at the halfway point hauling in passes from both his own quarterback and the opposing team's.
Higgins, the only player from the 90's draft to show up, proved that middle age can indeed be sweet.
Letting Go
The ride back from the 'Wam was a little bittersweet.After remarking that it was nice to have so many younger players (nine were 14-years-old and under) and witness the return of Square Toe winner Matt Higgins, I added that I'd wished to see Matt Corbett.
My son's response: "When are you going to realize that he's not going to show up? Let it go, dad."
Such wisdom, coming from my teenage son, was a little hard to take. But it also reminded me of other fantasies I've had trouble letting go of: a certain love for a high school cheerleader, my vision of driving harness horses at The Meadowlands, kicking for the New England Patriots. Now, I need to add to that list Matt Corbett showing up at the 'Wam.
It's been difficult to let go, but this video helped:
Higgins Receives the Square Toe Award
With a polished acceptance speech like this, it's clear that Higgins has been in training for months. Training to give a speech, that is...
'Wam Media (click on any picture to see a larger version)
Matt Higgins, obscured, right, prepares to snag one of his interceptions.
Soehren eyes a sure interception...
...but Jay Burns pulls in the reception
Tri-Mascotted Mark Soehren prepares to knock a pass away from Jay Burns.
Higgins, tagged by his own player, tacks on some yardage after an interception.
The pass, headed for an apparently open Teddy Burns, will be intercepted by a hidden Higgins (only his leg is in view).
More yardage for Higgins.
A picture that should be shared with Atticus Soehren's entire 3rd grade classroom.
Ty LeBlond prepares to sack Mark Soehren.
LeBlond recieves an extremely high-five from Jay Burns.
The ball, up for grabs, will be pulled in by no one.
Waterford Football at the 'Wam sprinted into the modern era with the use of a digital replay on a controversial interception made by Toby Heath. The play was set up by a devastatingly hard rush by Christopher Burns on his uncle Jay Burns. Rolling to his right, quarterback Burns attempted to thread the needle to Eli Soehren. Heath jumped the route, however, making what appeared to be an interception but AFTER stepping our of bounds.
Ball secured and in-bounds, Heath steps out of bounds.
Lacking any red flags, players on the sideline started tossing grey sweatshirts, yellow scrimmage jerseys and random travel mugs onto the field signalling the need for a review of the play. As luck would have it, there were enough players for subs (a once-a-month occurrence) and Brewster Burns had camera in hand and got the shot that overturned the ruling on the field, making it a clean interception.
Dew Factor Science
Dew scientologist Pat Paine watches the action.
For those wondering how the Dew Factor is determined, one need look no further than the cuffs of Pat Paine's jeans. The formula is simple:( inches from hem fabric is wet) + (inches of hem from ground * 2).
Parenting Schmarenting
Eli Soehren getting negative 2 of his negative 5 yards.
In move that can only be called brilliant, Mark Soehren relinquished all parental duties concerning his son, Eli (5 receptions for minus 5 yards). Determining that any words from his mouth were worthless in the eyes of his son, Soehren turned over all coaching duties to Jay Burns, who dubbed the method the "Rule Buddy" system. While certainly a clever solution, one wonders what exchanges from the past might never had been heard from previous father-son conflicts: "Run the f***ing route" -- Hank Burns to Jay Burns, or "Catch the f***ing ball" -- Brewster Burns to Christopher Burns. While clearly the "Rule Buddy" system might technically work, it may be too boring to sustain.
Layering
Matt Higgins stays warm at the Fryburg Fair
While most 'Wam veterans know the key to comfort in the fall is to layer one's clothing, 'Wam veteran Matt Higgins and proprietor of Muddy River Signs, who has no appearances in 2011, layers his excuses. While we have photographic evidence of one of his excuses ("I have to work the Fryburg fair") the other ("I threw away my cleats") seem a bit suspect. Higgins swears he'll make a 'Wam appearance soon. Although that may be as likely as seeing Matt Corbett...
Bring a Friend Day 2011
Jay Burns explain to a disbelieving Scott
Bourget that the line that previously existed,
is no longer there. "We don't see it, because it no longer matters."
Mac LeBlong appears shocked at the quality
of the block thrown by Christopher Burns
With the addition of Marc LeBlond, Scott Bourget and Sam Iggulden, the 2011 season has had more newcomers than any year since Mike Brennan and Steve Labossiere joined in in 1989.
While the game had to be delayed 20 minutes for the usual 'Wam rule orientation, the extra players foreshadows a strong 'Wam future. With the newcomers, the 'Wam saw 19 players Sunday, the most since the the days of Face Martin.
It's Pronounced "Soarin'"
If rewriting the book on parenting wasn't enough, Mark Soehren captured the Square Toe honors with a two-interception performance:
The Participants
'Wam Media
Professional route-jumper Chris Bryant looks to haul in an interception.
Steve Labossiere rooster-tails the dew with a very happy Toby Heath doing some run-support.
Eli Soerhen erases some negative yardage with a post "Rule Buddy" catch-and-run.
Pat Paine forces pocket-passer Ted Tibbetts to move.
Varied loyalties scattered about his clothing, Mark "Soarin'" puts on the pressure.
