This is one to remember! Some thoughts and impressions on the final drive of the 2018 Camellia Bowl from a True Blue Eagles fan:
• Gave up the lead with 3:33 left, but the team got the game winning drive they needed, one more time.
• As stressed as I felt watching the fumbled snap on second down and the incomplete pass on third down, it was amplified when Werts started to scramble on fourth-and-10. So excited when he rolled for the first down and more. Hope was still alive.
• What a show of trust in Bass to let the clock tick down and leave it for him to kick the final play. And he didn't disappoint! Big call from CCL, big play by TBass. Bass was *pumped* when he put it up for three to end the first half, but -oh man!- when his kick went thru to end the game and, fans pouring into the field, he sprinted down the field tossing his helmet in the air to be mobbed moments later by his teammates... man, what a scene.
• I liked the celebratory line, "make more room in the trophy case, hardware’s coming back to Statesboro!"
• Understanding CCL took the reins of a team that was 2-10 last year, and led them to a 10-3 season this year, seeing him drop to his knees and pound the ground one time was a great moment of personal celebration. Then to embrace his family in tears with happiness was touching. His on-field post-game comments were made with such class, and had the feel of a classic "coach speech." Now, I know NCAAF has become a big business, and he's a hired coach that, at some point (hopefully WAYYY in the future), may be heading up another football program at another school. But, I think he really does love GS and the opportunities the University has provided him.
• Let's talk about the fan with the tears for a moment. When the camera caught that shot at the end of the game of my friend Robin in tears (along with Kirk on his phone, and Franklin, Beth, & Kate taking in the victory) we had a big laugh. Text messages and screenshots posted to social media poured in to her and we all gave her a good-natured hard time about it. But I was genuinely happy that she was that happy. I was happy that she got to express that whole range of emotions. Because I get it; to follow the team for years, up years and down years, to follow *YOUR* team, to watch this combination of players since last spring, to know some are playing in their last ever football game, to have the emotional swing of losing the lead late and the nerves of a game winning drive and the suspense of a game ending kick, to see the celebrations and feel the excitement and relief and joy... man, the emotions of football are part of the fun and I was happy to see my friend feeling all that. Plus, now we've got a screenshot we'll be reminding her of for years.
All in all, a great ending to a really good season and one I hope to remember for years to come. Well done, players. Well done, coaches. G.A.T.A. and Hail Southern!