Monday night marked the end of football season for Staley Middle School.   The 8th Grade Staley boys played their last game as Staley Mustangs.  And perhaps for many, the last tackle football game they will play, period.   For me, it was an emotional, bittersweet night, even though I will see these boys throughout the year as I photograph other sports; football is special, these teams are special, these boys are special.   I have been fortunate to be down there, on the sidelines,  with these boys for two years--seventeen games.  And this was the last time that they would be together as one team. 

I have loved every minute of it, from the first pre-game huddle of the 7th grade scrimmage to the last post game huddle of Monday night's 8th grade playoff game.  I have seen so many great plays and moments.  I remember the first scrimmage as 7th graders, watching the boys learn the game on a warm, sunny afternoon, looking so young and handsome in their nice crisp Staley blue uniforms.  I remember going to Arbor Creek and watching the boys on both teams suffer heartbreaking losses in their first games.  I remember the second game, where the boys played more like a "team", and that team, the Staley Mustangs, was a force to be reckoned with.   I remember an extremely exciting 7th Grade Blue team game against Hunt, when the team scored a touchdown with 30 seconds left to get the win .  I was lucky enough to be there on the sidelines and capture the excitement of the win.  The Blue team also had an equally exciting 14-13 win against Pioneer that came down to the wire.  There were tough losses to Cobb for both teams.  The teams played Vandeventer in last year's playoff game,  and the White team won handily.  They allowed only one touch down in their last 3 games and they finished the season with a 6-2 record for second place in the district on the West side.  The Blue team, gave the Staley faithful some nail biting and exciting games, including the playoff game which came down to the defense not letting the Vikings score when they had first and goal with thirty seconds left, and Staley staying strong  for a 14-12 win. 

This year I saw the Mustangs start off the season with both teams winning.  I saw the White Team cruise to victories, and the Blue team struggle to get wins, but never giving up.  Once again, there were tough losses to Cobb for both teams.  I saw two really great games against Pioneer.  The White team had to come from behind, to get the win.  It was the first time they did that.  The Blue team played a fantastic game to also come from behind, score a touchdown with less than thirty seconds left to win 20-14.  I saw the White team, shut down Hunt with less than 30 second left in the game, "block" a field goal on fourth down to preserve a 14-14 tie. Then Monday night, I saw both teams play like every single parent and coach knows that they can play: strong, determine and tough.  The White team played tough, the defense having a stellar performance of not letting the Seahawks get a first down on any of their possessions.  I saw the Blue team put in an impressive performance in a 38-0 rout, proving that they are indeed tough and talented.  In their two years of play, the White Team's record was 13-3-1.  They finished second in the district on the West side, for the second straight year. 

There were things I would never get tired of seeing.  The list is long, the moments are many.   The pre game huddles-- and yelling "Mustangs" before they headed to the sidelines.  Number 1, #8, #9 #17, #19, #21, #25 and many others running down the field making some big play.  Seeing the offensive line, block and create big holes for the running backs.  The quarterbacks #21, #11 (#18) and #7 pass down the field to their receivers. Watching the big hits that were made on defense, too many to list, because it seems at one point every single person on the team has made a least one great tackle or hit.  #30 being the first young lady to grace the team, and knocking it out of the park with some superb kick offs.  Seeing her teammates and the fans, cheer her on every time she took the field.  Watching #33 put in a fantastic effort on the last down of this year's White team's game against Cobb.  Watching the teams under the beautiful, colorful Texas skies as the sun set.  Seeing the excitement of the team on the sidelines, after big plays, and thrilling wins.  Seeing the coaches and teammates congratulating the offense, or defense after making a great play or having a great series, or a player after a great play.  Watching #42 get the ball and score on a PAT at Monday night's game, and seeing the genuine joy of his teammates as they congratulated him.  Hearing the Staley fans cheer for their team. The Staley cheerleaders!!  The boys running through the cheerleader tunnel at the end of the games.  Seeing each and every member of the Staley team on the field, wearing the blue, gold and white proudly, representing their school with such great sportsmanship.  Watching the boys go out every week and play with such great Mustang spirit, giving 100% and never giving up.  And of course, seeing my son on the field having fun.  Although the losses were tough, and the wins were great, these other moments will be  the things I will remember.   It has been an amazing two years watching these young men.  I wish them all great success as they move on to different high schools, I will be cheering them on no matter where they are.  I eagerly await another season of Staley football, and sincerely hope I get to see another one of my son's proudly wear the blue and gold.   Thanks for the memories!!!  

The first huddle--7th Grade Scrimmage.

A Beautiful Texas sunset. 

#21 breaking up a pass--7th Grade vs. Hunt. 

Sideline celebration after the winning touchdown against Hunt--7th Grade

A HUGE hit by #17--7th Grade vs. Griffin. 

Team mates celebrating a touchdown --7th Grade vs. Griffin. 

The team excited after a win. 

Number 1 with a big run--8th grade play offs. 

#19 on a big play--8th grade vs. Griffin.

#17 running back a punt--8th grade vs. Griffin.

#33 giving the extra effort--8th grade White team vs. Cobb.

#30 kicking off--8th Grade vs. Wester.

#8 on one of his long runs--8th Grade vs. Wester.

8th Grade Blue Team sideline celebrating the come from behind win vs. Pioneer. 

#25 on one of his strong runs 8th grade vs. Hebron.

  #11 throwing down field.  8th Grade vs. Hebron.  #9 on his touchdown run---8th Grade vs. Hebron. 

Team mates congratulating #42 on his PAT run---8th Grade playoffs.

#7 throwing down the field. 8th Grade vs. Wester.

#4 making an interception. 8th Grade vs. Griffin.   A great moment for me as a mom, first and photographer, second. 

#21 returning an interception--8th Grade vs. Griffin.

8th Grade White Team.

8th Grade Blue Team. 

The last huddle White Team, after the 8th grade playoffs.

The last huddle Blue Team--8th Grade playoffs.

This smiling face!!!