As with all these games I remember a few plays still very vividly. I remember it was tied 0-0 going into halftime.  It had been a complete defensive battle. Nolan had 1 play left in the first half and it appeared they were just going to run out the clock and were content on going into halftime 0-0. They handed the ball off to their All-State Running Back and he broke free down the sideline. I was the Cornerback on that side, so I was the last line of defense. I knew if I tried to tackle this guy with half effort he was going to truck me and likely end up scoring on the final play of the half. He probably outweighed me by a good 50 lbs. So, I went to tackle him with everything I had to ensure that we would go into halftime tied up. I remember my right shoulder popping as I tackled him and my arm going numb for a second. Didn’t think much of it as it seemed to wear off. I was just happy that I made the tackle and didn’t let my team down.

The second half came, and it was more of the same. A huge defensive battle with no one scoring in the 3rd quarter. At some point I remember missing a key pass block and turning around to see Chad Cole being blindsided by the guy I was supposed to be blocking.  The ball fluttered out due to the hit and a Fort Worth Nolan kid intercepted the pass.  I thought to myself “I’ve got to make up for missing that block.” So, I sprinted downfield intent on getting my team the ball back. I dove and hit the interceptor as hard as I could be trying to make him fumble in the process. Again “Pop!”Unfortunately, it wasn’t the sound of me hitting the guy…this time it was my other shoulder popping. I thought to myself “what is going on with my shoulders…and that’s going to hurt in the morning.”