A moral victory for young Streeter football team

I'll admit it. I didn't think our Sauk Centre football team had any chance tonight against the defending state champion Wildcats from New London-Spicer. I thought that maybe I'd even make it home by 8:30 to catch the end of the Twins game.
Well, I didn't get home until close to 10 p.m., and even though both the Twins and Streeters lost tonight, it was our the 26 kids dressed in maroon who impressed more than Mauer and Company.
I know it's cliche to call a 16-point loss a moral victory, but that's what tonight was for the Streeters. It might have ended 28-12, but it was 20-12 with 9:00 left in the game and the Streeters had the ball in Wildcat territory — this against the defending state champs mind you.
The Streeters called a halfback option, where QB Michael Knoblauch handed off to sophomore running back Roosevelt Austin, who then threw downfield to a receiver who was wide open on the sideline. But the play was whistled dead because of a penalty. The Streeters turned the ball over shortly thereafter and New London went down and scored.
Had that play worked, we might be talking about a major upset. But even though it didn't work out in the Streeters' favor, it was a great learning experience for those 26 kids who put their necks on the line every Friday night. It is clear they are getting better. And their work ethic has gotten stronger with each game. They are well coached and they have a bright future. Tonight was just a step. And even though it was a loss, for the football program, it was a step in the right direction.

-BZ