An open letter to Taylor Football

First let me say how proud you men have made each and every one in the Three Rivers community!   We have been waiting for this moment for many years.  You have helped galvanize the community behind one single point of focus!   You can’t go anywhere in this township and not hear people talking about Taylor Football.   Public school families, private school families, alumni, and those new to the community; all are talking about our boys.  No matter what happens tomorrow night, you have made us extremely proud.   The specialness of this season will always be remembered for years to come.   You will always be known as the men who put Taylor Football back on the map!   Win or lose, you boys have done something special for this community!

With all of that being said, TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS TOMORROW NIGHT!   Many of you have been preparing for this moment all of your life.   Since you first strapped a helmet on that was bigger than the rest of your body in first grade, to the last snap at practice today, you have been working for this moment!   Thousands of snaps, hits, and passes have prepared you for tomorrow night, so do not let this game be bigger than you.   This is what you have been working towards, so you are more than prepared.  Go out and execute the game plan that the coaches have prepared.   Trust in them, each other, and yourselves.  You are ONE, now it is time to let the world know you are THE YELLOW JACKETS!

I believe that God puts people where they belong for a reason.   I truly believe that God has brought all of you men (coaches and players) together for a reason.   I will not venture to guess what that reason is.  I do know that if you give your best, and execute to your fullest, we will find out what that reason is.   Say a prayer to God tonight.  Not to win the game, but to keep all players safe, to help you perform to the best of your ability, and to allow you to realize the reason you are here at this moment.

Finally I want to say how much it has meant for me to get to know you all.  Not only as a great team, but as great people also.   I have watched you all grow up to be tremendous young men.  You put your teammate and others before yourselves.  That is a rare quality today, so make sure you carry that with you all through life!

It has been my distinct pleasure to call your games the last three years.   I look forward to many more years of calling Taylor football games.   I have a feeling that this year may be my most memorable season.

Am I proud to be a Jacket?   YES I AM!