Bolingbrook assistant football coach Todd Howard is the fourth member of the Raiders coaching staff to write for The Brook Blog. Here is what is on his mind as Bolingbrook gets ready for the second round of the IHSA Class 8A playoffs.
As we finish up this week of preparation and begin to wind down before the big game Friday night, I find myself in a familiar place. This is my third year of being a part of the coaching staff at Bolingbrook High School, and all three years we have qualified for the playoffs.
The first two years we lost to the eventual state champs (Lincoln-Way East and Naperville North). It's a feeling that you never quite get over. Remembering the looks on the seniors' faces, some flooded with tears, and others whose eyes are glazed over in disbelief. Hoping that the underclassmen remember this scene so that they'll work that much harder to not suffer the same fate the next year.
Looming in the back of your head are thoughts of what could've been or what we, as coaches, could've done differently to have prevented Bolingbrook from another premature playoff exit and another championship-less season. Highly anticipating the next season, so that you can try to make your weaknesses your strengths, and turn your strengths to habits.
However, this season is different, which ironically makes it all too familiar.
This year we boast an undefeated record and one of the highest rankings a Bolingbrook team has ever had. Undefeated seasons don't come easy at the Brook. In fact, there have only been three.
The '93 team went undefeated all the way to the state championship game (Bolingbrook's ONLY title game appearance) and in '96 we were 10-0 until a second round defeat by St. Rita. I say "we" because that happened to be my junior year.
Twelve years ago and I remember it like it was yesterday. I still wish there were plays I could have back. But that's the beauty and the beast of football. You don't get them back. You can only make the best of the opportunities you're given and when those opportunities aren't taken advantage of, they're gone, but not gone from memory.
My senior year was a promising but disappointing one. I received a scholarship to the University of Michigan, and lost in the first round of the playoffs with arguably one of the most talented teams Bolingbrook has ever had. That's why it's so important to live for the moment. There are no sure things in this game. You can't wait for next year. It's not promised.
So that brings us to this week's second round playoff game. The 10-0 Bolingbrook Raiders versus 8-2 Hinsdale Central. How do I impress upon these kids the importance of paying attention to detail this week? How essential it is to have the best week of practice we can possibly have, and what advantage will studying film give them, so that we put ourselves in the best possible position for success?
There is also the fact that Bolingbrook will be considered a girls basketball school until a football team brings back the big trophy.
What about the fact that I'd gladly trade either one (but not both) of my Big Ten championship rings for an IHSA title? I simply tell them this, play every down, every quarter and every game like its you're last...because it just might be!
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