Hueneme Vikings and the Pacific View League Opener

After a rough pre-season schedule that saw our Frosh team at only 1-4, we hosted the Hueneme Vikings in our 2009 Pacific View League opener.

As we stated at the start of the season, this is a very inexperienced group of players who are in need of equal doses of fundamentals, patience and commitment. The hard thing with our kids is getting them to understand that even though we were losing games, we were getting better each week.

The good thing is that as we entered PVL action, all six league teams were tied at 0-0 in PVL play regardless of their non-league season records.

The Trenches

Where games are won!

Our offense, in black, played a terrific game!

The Offensive Line on the move!

We had 55 plays good for 291 yards of Total Offense and 17 First Downs.

In European historical terms this is

Coach Contreras "The Elder" on the left

with Coach Contreras "The Younger"

We were VERY pleased with our defenses effort for the second week in a row. We only allowed 145 yards on 37 plays as 19 different players were in on at least one tackle.

The Vikings last drive of the game was of interest. We were leading 26-0 with only about 5 minutes left in the game when Hueneme put together an 8 play, 80 yards scoring drive that featured some really well designed gadget plays that the Vikings ran to perfection!

The zanniest play of all was their final play that was "The Old Flea Flicker" good for a 16 yard TD pass. . . or was it? The Vikings had not one but two receivers wide open in the end zone with nary a Spartan defender within 10 yards, as all 11 Rio Mesa players were swarming to the ball carrier before he pitched it back to the QB.

The "White Hat" referee, at this point, blew his whistle ever so slightly, much to his embarassment, not seeing the lateral and mistakenly thinking that the running back was tackled.

After explaining his inadvertant whistle, which meant the TD didn't count and that the down would have to be replayed, to the Hueneme Head Coach, he came over to me to explain the situation. I told him that I didn't hear any whistle, that it was probably just a bird flying overhead that shrieked. He asked if I was sure about it and I said "Yes".

Obviously, he didn't know that I believe that "Shutouts are Fascist!". Besides, the Hueneme kids should not be punished for executing a gadget play to absolute perfection because of blown call.

I almost went out and bought a "blue car" after the game. If this reference confuses you, read Hall of Fame Coach Frosty (Hadley Linderman's Great Grandpa) Westering's book.

FINAL SCORE

Rio Mesa 26 - Hueneme 8

I am so pleased with our coaching staff and our kids improvement, 1-0 in the Pacific View League sounds pretty good. Up next is a road trip to Channel Islands (0-1 in the PVL) who is coached by one of our former Spartan linemen, George Zaragoza.

Stay tuned!

Sunday in Seattle

After all of the excitement of life in Puyallup on Friday and the Husky game on Saturday, it was time to relax a bit.

After going to church and breakfast with Mark and Susie Johnson's family, we decided to kick back in the Fremont and Ballard districts of Seattle.

Seattle's Fremont District

Where else in America could you find a gigantic statue of Vladimir Lenin?

The Ballard District's

Festive Street Market beckoned

I couldn't wait to see what wonders we might find at this cornucopia of all things Autumn?

A Pacific Northwest Geoduck

Don't ask. . .

Interesting. . .

Tomatoes

Flowers

Mini Pumpkins and Gourds

We took a late afternoon flight home after a VERY pleasant weekend in the Emerald City and its surroundings. Nothing but good memories from this corner of the USA!

Heather Linderman Ad of the Day

If you have been a regular reader of this blog, then you know all about "The Heather Linderman Ad of the Day".

In Europe, this feature has regularly informed Americans about some of Italy's more unique advertising strategies.

Wisely, as the Ad of the Day moves to America, the shakers and movers of the program have decided to stress more traditional family values in the "Heather Linderman Ad of the Day" American style.

Today's ad was featured in the State of Washington's new campaign to lure new families to move to the Evergreen State as it is such a great place to raise a family, here it is . . .

Come to Washington and be as Happy as

The Chris, Hadley and Heather Linderman family

GOOD PEOPLE!!!

The Arizona-Washington Game

Another Saturday morning, another GREAT day for college football!

First up was a check of the high school scoreboard back in southern California. I'm happy to announce that the Rio Mesa Spartans varsity team improved to 3-2 on the season by edging Dos Pueblos 21-7.

Riccardo Conticello's Cabrillo squad lost a close one, 7-0, to Santa Ynez to drop to 1-4 on the year.

Meanwhile, back in Puyallup. . .

Frosty Westering with his grandson

Jason Johnson

Saturday started with a real treat for me as Pacific Lutheran University was playing in Minnesota against Gustavus Adolphus. Jason's grandpa Frosty was the long time Head Football Coach at PLU and is a member of the College Football Hall-of-Fame. He and his wife Donna came over to watch the PLU game on streaming video at the Johnson home.

Jason is SO VERY proud of Frosty and I have been a fan of Frosty's since reading his book about five years ago. What great and positive people to be around!!!

Unfortunately, PLU record dropped to 1-3 as they lost Saturday 34-33.

In other scores of games of interest to the Catania Elephants yesterday we have:

Brandon Bennett's Willamette (5-1) 62 - Lewis and Clark 24

Matt Epperson's Hardin-Simmons (2-4) 13 - East Texas Baptist 10

Denver Wade's Wabash (5-0) 31 - Washington University of Missouri 12

Larry Atkinson's Nebraska-Omaha (5-2) 31 - Washburn 21

Taber LeMarr's San Diego (3-2) 48 - Valparaiso 0

Now it was on to the BIG ONE. . .

University of Arizona (3-1)

at

University of Washington (2-3)

A.K.A.

Jason Johnson

vs.

George Contreras

Last year we drove down to Tucson with Jason and Christie to see this game. Today we would once again sit together as proud alumni of our schools as they squared off in a key PAC-10 game at Husky Stadium.

Mark Johnson

We have been good friends with Mark since 1968! He lives about a five minute walk from Husky Stadium with his wife Susie and daughters Sophie and Mallory. They hosted a great pre-game and post-game affair in their new home on the Montlake Cut seen behind him.

The view East from the Johnson's backyard.

The view West from the Johnson's backyard.

It's Fall in the Pacific Northwest and the colors were AWESOME!

A child playing with leaves

on the UW campus.

The UW Quad

Miller Hall on the left

Miller houses the Department of Education where Laurie worked as a secretary 40 years ago.

UW's Frosh Pond

One of the Montlake Bridge's Towers

If tall ships are going through the Montlake Cut, people in these towers raise the bridge.

We walked acroos the bridge on our way to meet some of Jason's Arizona buddies on our way to the game.

Harry Husky with Laurie outside of

Husky Stadium

The Jim Owens Statue

Thanks again J.O.!

Hec Edmundson Pavilion to the left

It was a chilly 7:20 p.m. kickoff for the game but we were ready!

Jason and Christie in Wildcat Red and Blue

Laurie and I countered with Husky Purple and Gold!

Cool hat Laurie.

Football is a strange game sometimes and this would be one of the weirdest I've ever witnessed.

Let's start with some final game statistics;

Total Plays: Arizona 83-47

First Downs: Arizona 26-14

Net Yards Gained: Arizona 461-256

Time of Possession: Arizona 39:19 -20:41

Points Scored: WASHINGTON 36-33!!!

How is this possible you ask? Well it was interesting indeed!

Bottom line, at the end of the third quarter Arizona was winning 27-21. The Wildcat's kicker, Alex Zendejas, would add two Field Goals of 29 and 24 yards to up the Arizona lead to 33-21 with only 4:22 left in the contest and, truth be told, MANY people wearing Purple and Gold opted to leave the stadium at this point in time.

NOT US!

At the 2:55 mark, Husky QB Jake Locker hit WR Kavario Middleton on a 25 yard TD strike, Erik Folk added the PAT and the score was now Arizona 33- Washington 28.

The Wildcats put their "Hands Team" on the field anticipating a Husky onside kick but the UW opted to kick it deep and pray the defense could come up big.

DID THEY EVER!!!

The Play of the Night

So Arizona has been killing the Dawgs all night with a simple wide receiver screen and the UW seemingly has no answer to how to defend it.

It was exactly at the 2:37 mark that Arizona QB Nick Foles threw yet another of these Bubble Screens. Above you see Foles' pass that has just ricocheted off the left foot of Wildcat WR Delashaun Dean into. . .

. . . the arms of Husky LB Mason Foster!!!

Foster returned it 37 yards for a Husky TD, Locker hit WR Jermaine Kearse for the two-point PAT and VOILA, it was Huskies 36 - Wildcats 33!!!!!

The Wildcats had one last chance but DB Desmond Trufant picked off a Wildcat pass to seal the improbable comeback victory!

Husky Defensive Coordinator Nick Holt with an ecstatic UW Head Coach Steve Sarkisian after the game

"What just happened out there?"

A bottle of "Il Bastardo" Italian red wine back at Mark and Susie's home helped us analyze the evening's events.

We had a great time seeing everyone and the game's ending was just sensational if you were wearing Purple and Gold.

Thanks again to Jason and Christie for hosting us in Puyallup on Friday and to Mark and Susie for doing the same on Saturday and Sunday. Great friends usually equal great memories, this weekend was proof.

On a serious note, it was great listening to Jason during the game as the action unfolded. He truly has a great football mind with a very clear vision of the game in general and offense in particular. Because of his multitude of talents, he has many different ways to go when or if he finally decides to settle into some form of a more traditional career path. Coaching college football would be a fine choice for him someday in my opinion.

Puyallup, Washington

We flew up to Seattle early Friday morning out of Burbank's Bob Hope Airport to spend the weekend seeing friends and attending the University of Arizona Wildcats at the University of Washington Huskies football game.

This is now becoming an annual event which gives us a chance to visit with two our our favorite people, Christie and Jason Johnson. If you are new to the blog, Jason and Christie were our housemates in Sicily during the 2008 Italian football season while Jason was quarterbacking the Elephants to the playoffs.

Of course, any trip to Seattle also means a great visit with our dear friends Mark, Susie, Sophie and Mallory Johnson. Thet are not related to Jason and Christie if you were wondering.

This trip would be a little different because instead of our normal game plan of spending the whole weekend in Seattle at Mark and Susie's home, we would instead spend the Friday night at Jason's parents home in Puyallup about 45 minutes south of Seattle before being handed off to Mark and Susie Saturday night after the game at Husky Stadium.

With Jason and Christie at the Ram Restaurant in Tacoma for lunch.

The Ram has a strict Anti-Gun Policy!

Puyallup's Good Samaritan Hospital

Puyallup is world renowned for two things.

First, it is the only city in America, if not the world, that has two P's, two L's and two U's in its name.

Secondly, it is the birthplace of Lori Wrout, one of Rio Mesa H.S.'s best teachers. She was born at Good Samaritan which gives the hospital "Historic Landmark" status.

We drove past the Puyalup Fairgrounds and were pleasantly surprised.

KARMA!!!

The Fairgrounds were hosting a Scandinavian Heritage Festival. The Swedish flag is the blue and yellow one on the far right.

I wonder if everybody in Hässleholm will dress like this handsome couple?

Laurie was ready to start her first foray into shopping for her trip to Sweden.

My newest Scandinavian friend Bengt

VERY cool hat!

Christie wearing her authentic, traditional Dirndl

More on this later.

Swedish Cuisine to be sampled

Unfortunately, no XXL

I will need to learn local cooking techniques while I'm in Sweden.

The Puyallup Fairgrounds was also hosting an Oktoberfest!

Now the Dirndl makes sense!

Dueling Outfits

Christie's Burberry purse trumped the white stockings. . . maybe.

There were so many people of Germanic Heritage dressed in their traditional outfits in the Biergarten.

Enjoying the traditional Puyallup Oktoberfest Beer Gloves

An Oompah Band is a MUST!

Your hair should always match your stockings

We just HAD to enter this Tournament!

Hammerschlagen Action

The rules are simple, who can pound a nail flush into a log with the butt end of a hammer the fastest. You get one attempt at a time as the hammer rotates around the log between six or seven players.

It was not as easy as it looked and was great fun!

So ended our first day in Puyallup, Washington.