If we only had 1 second more...
June 02, 2013 07:37 AM Filed in: News Updates
Yes, that’s probably all it would have taken, but it was just not meant to be. After a slow start, dropping to a 4-1 deficit, the Bulldogs tied the game in the third quarter, and finally took the lead in the fourth, with just a little over three minutes to go. Hale scored shortly thereafter, putting the Bulldogs in a 7-6 hole.
With only six seconds to go (as announced over the stadium PA) Garfield scored what we all assumed to be an overtime producing score, only to have it waved off as officially, the game had ended. This was in spite of less than three seconds elapsing from the whistle signaling the start of the final play. At that time the Hale players rushed the field and the game was over.
Now I am not saying we lost the game because of a timer irregularity, although having a better timer system in championship games should be a front row issue for WHSBLA. We just did not look that sharp. We had too many unforced errors, and we lost too many face-offs and ground balls.
Hale looked sharp and played well, but on any other day I feel the ‘Dogs would have matched up better and a different result would have emerged. No use crying over spilled milk, though. Woulda, coulda, shoulda….
Garfield has had a tremendous season, going 15-0-0 until the Championship game, and everyone should feel very proud of that fact. For a little historical prospective, five years ago the Bulldogs suffered an ignominious season losing every game they played.
Thanks go to all the players who worked their tails off, to our head coach Ryan Eldon Kelly, to assistant coaches Todd, Randy, JP, Ben and Danny, and to all the parents and other supporters who cared enough about the game and this team to make it all possible. You guys did a fantastic job…
We hope to see all of you at the season wrap-up party at Lee Rhodes’ place this afternoon from 4-8pm. I believe the best salve for a tough loss is the shared support that comes from each of us in this community, and I will surely raise a glass (or two) to all of you in celebration of this team, win or lose…
Championship Game!!
May 31, 2013 04:18 AM Filed in: News Updates
Following a resounding 12-7 victory over the old 3-Rivers program on Wednesday night, Garfield finds itself in the Division II State Championship game for the second time in as many years!
Saturday’s game is at 3:30 pm at High School Memorial Stadium against Nathan Hale. Garfield is the Home Team.
Please arrive at Memorial Stadium by 1pm. Players and team staff can enter through the VIP entrance at the upper parking lot. There will be a roster of players and team staff at that entrance, where you will be checked-in. All others will need to pay the $8.00 admission fee. (5 & under are free). There will be a secured area where players can leave equipment bags.
As a team, we will gather at the upper sections of the North side of the stadium…look for us. We will watch the middle school action until 2pm when we’ll all move down to the upper gate area.
We will then be met by security and taken to our locked and secured locker room at 2:20pm. At 2:45 the team will be escorted to the field for warmups. Game starts promptly at 3:30. Awards will be given immediately following the game, right on the field. The schedule is tight, so it’s important that everyone be there on time.
Just some general conditions: There is no food or drink on the field, except for water. The team will supply all drinking water as it seems the water in Memorial Stadium is still from 1955, and tastes and looks like it. Likewise for the showers. They are available for use, but the boiler would have had to have been turned on yesterday to get water hot for Saturday--it wasn’t.
We are told that there are no artificial noise makers allowed, but you can bring big foam fingers (no, I’m not making that up…they actually said that)
Only players, coaches, & training staff will be allowed on the sidelines. The official scorers and timers are provided by the Tournament. The time on the scoreboard will not be the official time. (The big clock will stop with 1 minute to go in each quarter) Official time will be kept on the field.
The Championship tournament is an all day event with plenty of lacrosse action, from youth and high school all star games to the Division II and the Division I State Championship games that cap off the day’s activities.
Heck, there’s even an ESPN-type storyline for this game. Nathan Hale is coached by NCAA Division I all star Drew Snider (Maryland). During his high school days, Drew attended O’Dea, and played for…wait for it now… Coach Ryan Kelly…yes, that’s right, he was a Bulldog!! How cool is that…?
For those of you unable to attend, the game will be webcast live on The Lacrosse Network at Washington State Prep Lacrosse.
No matter what the outcome, please join us for the Bulldog post season gala hosted by Lee Rhodes on Sunday, June 2nd. I believe you all have been contacted already with the details for the event. Be sure to send in your RSVPs….
See you all at the game on Saturday. The weather looks promising and we hope to have a great turnout.
One…More...Game….
GO BULLDOGS!!
Semi Final Update
May 25, 2013 12:02 PM Filed in: News Updates | Schedules
Following the failure of negotiations with the Richland (Three Rivers) program and lack of support from the WHSBLA, the scheduled time of Wednesday’s semifinal game will be at 5pm, and not rescheduled to an earlier day (or time) in order to avoid a conflict with the graduation ceremonies at O’Dea HS.
Earlier in the week, the Three Rivers board had initially agreed to a Tuesday date, but later reneged on that agreement. The WHSBLA maintained that no weekday games could be scheduled before 5pm according to their contract with WALOA (the ref’s organization), even though this fact is not published in the most recent rule handbook available from the WHSBLA. (see section 7, Scheduling)
The Garfield Bulldogs are expected to be at full strength with all players available to participate, as far as we know.
Thanks for all your kind words of support but it is more important to move past this situation and have the full attention of the team focused on the goals before them, and to minimize any further distractions.
Richland is a tough, physical opponent with a large number of returning seniors who are undoubtably just as motivated as Garfield is to move on to the championship game. Our guys will have to bring their “A” game, and I would hope we get a great turnout to cheer them on in their efforts.
So, see you all Wednesday 5/29, 5pm at Genesee Field for our next game.