We Got All The Smoke pt. 2
When I tell you that we got all the smoke, I mean we got every ounce of it. There are a lot of things that went wrong and I didn’t agree with regarding the season for Brysen. But in our quest to compete with the best of the best, don’t let nobody lie to you. When it comes to youth football, Battle YNC is the place to be. Every team there was a good football team and not just the 9u bracket. I think the event needs some changes to be better overall but the competition is there without question. The level of talent and also coaching was at a high level. Some teams there were truly prepared and organized in every aspect of their approach. You could tell the teams who had been there before.
We entered the tournament #1 overall after finishing the rest of the regular season undefeated. A few of the teams ahead of us suffered 1 loss during the regular season so we moved up. Our first round matchup was against the SED Wolverines from Texas. Looking at film throughout the season I knew it was a good team but similar to Heir because they loved to pass the ball. Based on personnel I thought it was a great matchup for us. However, SED was a very dangerous opponent.
It was an exciting game, back and forth TDs and big plays that came right down to the end. It was clear SED had a game plan because they came out in something they hadn’t shown on film. That speaks to the prior experience they had by coming to Battle the previous season. Pride lived on big plays while SED was able to put together some longer drives and control field position. In the end, there was some controversy but Pride was simply outplayed and outcoached that day.
Brysen caught two passes on three targets for about 140 yds and 1 TD. He didn’t do much on defense playing CB for the first time but his play on offense definitely gave his team a great chance to win. Brysen did however, fumble the final kick return which allowed SED to run the clock out. He was devastated by it. This was the toughest loss of his young career. I’ve never seen him so emotional after a loss. He blamed himself for the loss. Fortunately, we were put in the consolation bracket so we had an opportunity to shake back the next day.
The next day we were scheduled to play the one team I did not want to play to be honest. When you understand your team, you understand matchups. We had to play the Bowie Broncos which for us was a bad matchup because of one kid, Big O. Big O is special and the only kid bigger than Brysen that runs as well as he does. Pride is a small scrappy team but we often find ourselves in 1 on 1 tackles with our style of play. Big O is not the kind of kid you can tackle 1 on 1 repeatedly. Not when he gets the ball 20 plus times.
Big O powered his way to 4 TDs and led his team to victory. Brysen was sidelined to begin the game as he watched Big O score his first TD. It was a coach’s decision, but Brysen didn’t play the first few possessions on offense or defense. Luckily, I warned Brysen that morning that I felt like that would be the case. I’ve been around the game, but more importantly people, long enough to anticipate their actions.
On their 2nd or 3rd offensive possession Brysen was finally inserted at WR and scored a TD on his first target. He tied the game up 6-6 but only got 1 other target the rest of the game. Bowie took Big O and lined him up against Brysen on D and he was able to get his hand in and break up a slant route. I could tell Big O was not use to playing CB just like Brysen but the coaches elected not to go back his way the rest of the game. I think the final score was about 26 – 12 and Big O showed he was the best player on the field that day.
Brysen was disappointed, but not upset at the loss like he was the day before. He just wanted to know why again. Why they wouldn’t put him that much? Why they didn’t try to get him the ball? And I answered. I admitted that it’s partly my fault. I explained that sometimes people care more about proving a point and want to, show me. We almost didn’t go to Nationals because he was upset about how the regular season went overall. But I told him we finish what we start. Whatever position they put you at just go out there and play. I also told him, “They ain’t got no choice. If they want to win they got to give you the ball.”
I never voiced that bluntly to the coaches because I know that can be taken the wrong way. However, I did let them know the importance of him being on the field, even without touching the ball. FU Gold, SED, and Bowie all changed their defenses after Brysen’s first catch. Brysen doesn’t just make great plays. He creates opportunities for others around him. I don’t apologize for the confidence I have in my child. For anyone who thinks me uplifting my child puts another kid down, they are insecure. There are a lot of talented players in sports. But not all of them have the it factor. I’ve seen Brysen display it several times. Even when he has been the youngest on the field, he makes things happen. Those people get the ball. They don’t have to ask for it. They just have to be ready.
So yea, we wanted all the smoke and finally got it. The opportunity to compete against the best and honestly, show that he was the best. We got the competition and the stage we desired but we didn’t prove he was the best. Not this time. At the end of the day, that’s on us. Brysen was never 100% this year. The injury and lack of consistent practice certainly had a negative impact on his performance. But this is just another lesson on the journey. There will be plenty more opportunities. I will make sure of that. His potential is still unlimited and I thoroughly enjoyed the people and players we met. I love the way he was challenged in ways he hadn’t been before. I don’t love some of the things he was exposed to but that too is an opportunity to learn.
Don’t get it twisted, I’m still telling everybody he the best in the country. He’s only 10 and at this age potential means more than production. Brysen has produced plenty in the past but didn’t produce enough this year. His ability to play so many positions at a high level is rare. Shout out to all the great players currently ranked ahead of him by RNR. I’m excited to watch him compete against them all and continue to grow and make friendships. See y’all where the smoke at. Until next time, B U!
