It was good to be on the hill tonight at North Harrison High School’s football field.
The North Harrison Cougars were playing in a controlled scrimmage against the West Washington Senators. Both teams look good. Sure there were brain farts now and again and missed assignments. Of course there were! The season is young and the players are not seasoned! I said that first!
There is always room for improvement. And there is reason to celebrate tonight as well. The Cougars showed a great deal on offense given the scrimmage format. Both sides of the ball played well at times for sure. Cougar fans should be optimistic.
There was a nice crowd for a scrimmage game. Nice job by athletic director Hal Pearson for giving the stadium a nice look with the flag and the stadium banners that add a nice touch to the atmosphere. You don’t expect that for a scrimmage and behold…it was very nice. By the way, the field at North this year is the best it has ever been. I have seen a couple of them.
I can tell you it was tough for this old purist to look at a West Washington team wearing Silver helmets. What in the name of Art Sanders is that all about? Looks like they are going for a New England Patriots look and that just don’t fly in Indiana unless you have bad taste.
One thing that needs to happen in the future for these scrimmages, if they are not going to hit the quarterback, is to put red scrimmage vests on the QBs to remind kids to stay off of them.
First and goal is always a beautiful sight.
Came home tonight and turned on the Bears and Giants.
Oh my. I went back in time.
When Boomer Esiason was playing quarterback at Maryland, I was all about him. I thought he had IT. And I wanted him to one day play for beloved Cincinnati Bengals. I wanted Boomer Esiason to be the man to follow my first and foremost football hero, Ken Anderson #14. Oh he was the man.
Well, the Bengals did what I told them to do. They drafted Boomer. Then I was nervous. I wanted him to replace Kenny Anderson. I also wanted him to replace Kenny when I was ready for him to do so! I saw Ken Anderson make his last start in Riverfront Stadium in 1985. He got hurt. The team belonged to Boomer.
Fast forward to 2018. Daniel Jones is playing quarterback at Duke University for the true quarterback whisperer…Coach David Cutcliffe. Coach Cut was also Eli Manning’s coach at my beloved Ole Miss. Watching Daniel Jones at Duke, I so wanted him to be drafted by my current favorite NFL team, the New York Giants. I want Daniel Jones to replace Eli Manning one day…but I want him to do it when I am ready for him to do it.
The Giants drafted Daniel Jones this year. Tonight against the Bears, Eli Manning went 4 for 4 for 42 yards and a TD to help his cause. Daniel Jones fumbled the ball away and I was happy about it. I want Eli to have one more season in the sun. I am worried I can tell you. I have seen this movie before. Daniel Jones looks good. I hope he has a wonderful career beginning with the 2020 season. I will cheer him on then.
Speaking the rights…
Danny Johnson