Welcome to The Other Side

Now, most of us who are in and around this game get caught up in the here and now; who won the big game, such as who was the top performer and on and on. The greatest prep scribes of our time can be seen scurrying around the field like that lonely squirrel looking for the last nut to store for winter. After the game these same reporter/squirrel types try to get that one or two quotes from the star of the winning side. They have to get the winning coach's comments, otherwise the competition might beat them to the punch.

Myself you ask? Sure, I'm seen running around the field as well at this time of the year, looking to capture those comments for all of you to see for yourselves via video with my $1.97 Wal-Mart winter ski cap interestingly adjusted from a hat to a camera weather protection bag for the elements (it's the EDGY way, a costly camera protected by a $1.97 ski hat). Yes, after the big game I'm as guilty as the great scribes.

Yet, I also make it a point to check out The Other Side.

See, like in every major event in our live, you have the winning side, all smiles and joy, and then you have The Other Side. The Other Side doesn't require pictures or video to tell the story. The Other Side is the story that never gets told, yet The Other Side is as an emotional of a story than you'll ever read in your daily newspaper.

Last Saturday, my guy Kevin was on The Other Side. Kevin was a kid that I met at one of my Junior Days way back last winter. These meet and greet yearly events are basically open to any and all underclassmen, and I enjoy hosting these events on many levels, but mostly it's a good chance for me to get some basic information on the next season's hero's including the many mug shot photos you'll see on the Rivals.com network all year long. I'll withhold who Kevin played for as well as his last name, because in all honesty kids like Kevin can be found all across this state from now until we play for the trophies in Champaign.

Kevin basically is a very nice kid who also happened to be a very solid player. Kevin was not a major D-1 recruit mind you, yet Kevin was a definite player. Kevin and his Mom made the 100 mile round-trip drive in the middle of winter on a Saturday afternoon just to be a part of my annual Junior Day event. Kevin's effort alone impressed me, yet when I took a few minutes to talk to Kevin (who I never met before, but from a few minute conversation I could tell that he was an EDGYTIM.com regular) I could tell that this was a young man who lived and breathed football. I'm so fortunate to come across so many great kids, yet kids like Kevin always seem to stand out to me, and I always seem to remember kids like Kevin.

Kevin basically worked as hard as any kid to get ready for his final season. Kevin, who was listed as 6-foot-0, 210 pounds this year was more like 5-foot-10, 185-190 pounds, yet the offseason weight lifting, speed training and the overall sweat and effort over the last four years has allowed Kevin to reach his best for his final season. Kevin was ready for his senior season.

The pain from The Other Side after being eliminated from the state playoff field never seems to ease over the years, and the further a team progresses in the state playoffs, the harder it is to look into the eyes of players just like Kevin. So, unlike the others, I always make it a point after the celebrations from the winning side have subsided to pay my respects to the kids from The Other Side. You know who these kids are, they are the ones that despite the heartbreaking loss can't leave the field. I've seen kids sit alone on the field after a game for over an hour, just sitting and trying to take it all in just one last time.

The Other Side kids can't bear the fact that the last four years have just disappeared forever, and the parents and the families from The Other Side also feel that pain as well. The images of our weekend warriors in full gear and equipment seem to always hide the fact that once you remove the helmets, these remain just a bunch of baby-faced kids.

So on Saturday, I put the camera away and went seeking out my guy Kevin. I knew that Kevin would be one of the last players to leave the field on Saturday, because kids like Kevin are always the last to leave the field. Kevin played well in his last high school varsity game. Despite the loss, Kevin and his teammates made quite an impression on me. Kevin's team was down 21-0 in a heartbeat, yet the effort never wavered and Kevin's team made things very interesting before the sheer talent difference took over. Kevin played like a warrior in this game, and went out with no excuses.

So when I saw Kevin, saw the tears streaming down his face, saw him try to Man Up when he saw me thru those tears, I told him the truth. Kevin played his butt off, that he should be proud of his effort and the way he played as well as his team's efforts. No shame in losing to a team like this, and that Kevin's team showed a lot of character in the comeback attempt. Kevin tried to hold back the tears, and he looked at me and shook his head. Kevin then said "Thanks for everything, Edgy" and then just like that he disappeared into the cold night air.

I wanted to tell Kevin and so many of those on The Other Side who have been on The Other Side so much more on Saturday night. Such as? Such as if kids like Kevin put the same type of effort and dedication into the rest of their lives, that they will succeed in life. I wanted to tell him how much fun I get in watching kids like him grow and mature, wanted to tell him how much I enjoy being able to talk to so many great kids like him. I have no doubts that Kevin and so many others like him will be just fine, and that soon enough they will look back on their last four years of high school someday and will have nothing but good memories.

The parents? Yes, the parents from The Other Side also will go through a transition, and at this point maybe I should start a support group? The parents from The Other Side will also feel a sense of loss. No more road trips, no more rides to other schools, picking up the kids from practices, parent and booster club meetings and the overall feeling of being a part of a community is lost forever. Many parents of graduated seniors will get the itch to come back again when the fall comes around next year, and many will head back to the next set of football games, and it will never feel the same ever again.

So while only 8 teams will be lucky enough to never be on The Other Side this playoff season, so many others will not be that lucky. The Other Side has a story to tell, and let us never forget the efforts, dedication and enjoyment we have all received from those people on The Other Side. I never have forgotten, and I guess that is what separates me from the many others? No matter who wins or who doesn't win, you learn to appreciate the efforts from both sides. From the coaches, teachers, administrators, players, parents and fan, we all should appreciate the efforts and for the chance to be fortunate to witness the amazing story on the winning side as well as on The Other Side.