If I was the man that you wanted, I would not be the man that I am

Lyle Lovett has a lyric, “If I was the man that you wanted, I would not be the man that I am.” I am up front, a football guy taking short choppy steps through my life as a sportswriter working as my alter ego, “Big Loser Boy.” I love the amateur athletes I write about and find the younger the person the more unspoiled by the process and less contaminated by the “It’s all about me” culture that surrounds sports. Players who see the field and give the ball up to the person in the best position to do something with it are the best and most valuable athletes. It’s not about score books, goals or touchdowns; it’s about being a person with a true sense of team and sportsmanship. That way you can never lose.

Heather and Holly - Heather Cross and Holly Wartman look onto the football field pensively at the end of a long, hot, disastrous game for the Vikings wondering what happened and hoping the bus catches the 4:30 ferry back to Lewes.

Slip sliding away - I know I peaked in eighth grade and I’m not reticent to admit it. My life has been a steady and enjoyable slide ride down the greased extension ladder of perceived success. In 1970 I was a PhD candidate in anthropology at Temple but had trouble affecting the haughty accent required in academia. In 1975 I was offered the head football job at Wildwood High and responded, “But what do you guys do in the wintertime when the Wild Mouse shuts down?” I was told that was Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, a town with more Italians than South Philadelphia. In 1976 I was offered the head football job at Cape Henlopen and responded, “Getting abused by Friday night drunken fans hanging over a fence telling me I don’t know what I’m doing with my ‘Welcome Back Kotter’ self doesn’t seem like a good idea unless I’m one of them.” Cape May is Philly By The Sea like Cape Henlopen is an extension of A.C/D.C. (think about it) and the 717 area code of Pennsylvania. I felt at home over there. Those football players were tough but quiet all game and their fans said nothing; absolutely no smack talking did I hear the entire day.

No play day! - Cape hockey at Sussex Tech Thursday afternoon is a “no play day”; each team lost one game last year to each other. The Ravens with sudden strike capabilities eliminated Cape in the state semifinals in 2009 and then trailing 2-1 rose up and beat Tower Hill 3-2 for a state championship. This game is round one and means a lot but not as much as round two if that game comes around on the wheel. The hockey schedule is stacked with mostly “weak sisters” as Sussex Tech and Cape wantonly wax most opponents like a runaway hall buffer, but this matchup is a show up and step it up game. No one cares about hockey futures - the future is now!

Snippets - There will be boys lacrosse clinics at Cape Henlopen on Sundays during the month of October for all players ages 7-15. The clinics will be for all skill levels from beginner to experienced and will feature instruction, games and giveaways. Players aged 7-11 will play 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and players aged 12-15 will play 1-3p.m.

Some equipment will be available to use; however, arrangements must be made ahead of time.

Any questions can be directed to atlanticlaxcamp@aol.com. The cost is $30 and the camp will be held at Cape Henlopen High School. Now where’s my free phone?

I saw where former Cape field hockey player Rebecca Pepper, a freshman at Delaware, saw the field in recent Blue Hen wins over Temple and Saint Joe’s. Speaking of the 3-0 Temple football team, it plays at Penn State on Saturday and of course they have “no chance” but if in god’s sense of sports irony he were to send a message to Paterno I will rock the Big T shirt and I don’t mean Tastee Freez.

The Phillies’ last dozen games with six against the Braves are sure to be heart thumpers. Just don’t curse at the television when a Philly makes a mistake. Stop it, Grand Mom! Valdez does not look like Charlie Chan.