This is why we watch
This is why they play the game. This is why we watch the game. This is why we sit through endless three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust, and it’s why we don’t turn our back on sports when Barry Bonds hits the all-time record home run and the commissioner of baseball keeps his hands in his pockets. We wade through the tedium, sift through the garbage, suffer the injustices, and we continue to do it because in one instant in this sea full of comfortable mediocrity that is our daily lives, one of us is going to do something that makes our jaws drop open in wonder of all the great possibilities in the universe. Ryan Aplin succeeded in doing that for a lot of people at Fleming Island High School’s football stadium Friday night when, during his team’s last-chance, do-or-die play, he scrambled to a height few of us will get to experience. No, he didn’t cure cancer. It was just a football game, and he is just a football player, and it was just a football play. And while school administrators might be pondering a golden, Rocky-like statue of him for the front of the school, Rudy Guilliani and Hillary Clinton can rest easy in the knowledge that, at least outside of Orange Park, Aplin is still a distant third in most presidential polls. But for 15 seconds on Friday night in Fleming Island, neither Rudy nor Hill could have possibly held their audience any more spellbound. Just as amazing as this athlete’s phenomenal dance around midfield were the cosmic tumblers that had to fall into place to make it happen. Forget that Aplin had to possess the grace, balance and elusiveness of the Cheshire cat to pull it off; forget that he had to have keen vision under intense pressure to see his receiver 30 yards down field; forget that his nerves and other internal bodily parts had to be forged of some metallic alloy to enable him not to overthrow his target despite the gallons of adrenaline that had to be flowing through his veins after his life-or-death scramble. To be “great” the play also had to be on fourth down and long, or at least semi-long (five yards). It had to be in the last two minutes. It had to be the Golden Eagles’ last and only hope to win the game. It had to be the playoffs. And those were just the tumblers to set the stage. Had the play gone according to the Xs and Os, Aplin would have rolled right a few yards, receiver Austin Sweatt would have cut his pass route short -- just past the first-down marker -- and the Golden Eagles would have had a valuable, but entirely forgettable first down. But the cosmic tumblers fell into a different place, much to Aplin’s chagrin. Sweatt, a talented freshman, decided to go long, as was his rightful choice on a play called 70 Choice. And while it’s pretty certain his endangered quarterback probably didn’t appreciate that choice at the time, it was, nevertheless, a key ingredient in what forced Aplin into an alternate pursuit of a first down and his ultimate brush with greatness. Still, even more cosmic tumblers needed to fall. Had lineman Cory White not turned and blocked a defender 15 yards behind the line of scrimmage, Aplin’s run would have gone down as simply a long, sad sack that ended the Golden Eagles’ season. Had that defender not gotten back up and given the quarterback second thoughts about reversing field for a second time, it could have been an even longer, sadder sack. And, of course, had receiver Hayes Towery not been well-coached enough in the scramble drill to come back to the aid of his quarterback ... sack. Last, but not least, had Montory Bellamy not followed up his quarterback’s shining moment with one of his own -- a 26-yard touchdown run four plays later --Aplin’s heroics likely would have sunk into the anonymity of defeat. The tumblers roll. Many times they fall into place and there’s three yards, a cloud of dust and maybe a win. And that’s nice. But when they roll into the wrong place, and the world goes crazy, and we get an unexpected glimpse into some of the great possibilities, well, that’s why we play. That’s why we watch. Related: BillJohnson's blog | login or register to post comments | printer friendly version | Tags: fleming island | football | sports
Submitted by BillJohnson on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 2:53am.
Praise from a true pro. Thank you, Beth. But, as you well know, inspiration is the key to all good writing. Being witness to this particular play, and Ryan "Tampa" Aplin's God-given ability -- not to mention all the "intangibile" elements that came forth from all the Golden Eagles on this play -- was really a gift for me. I know it was also a gift to coach Neal Chipoletti, who admitted that he watched the play on film over and over again after the game. I can only hope Fleming Island can eventually make the film available to fans. (I will have stills of it posted on Spotted on Wednesday). Coach Chipoletti and his son, offensive coordinator Derek Chipoletti, took the time to review the film with me -- both realizing that it was something special. Aplin, who only started at QB three games into his junior season, has blossomed into what I think is a solid candidate for Division I consideration. His relatively late blooming at the early age of 17 (a year younger than most seniors) has probably held him back from serious Division 1 considertation. Yet, in one play Friday night, he exhibited all the athleticism, maturity, vision and decision-making ability that any Division I program could hope to have in a quarterback. What's more, his stats back him up. I know I'd be happy to see him at Penn State (even though Joe would probably make him a linebacker, like he was going to do to Jim Kelly.) Bill Johnson Sports Reporter 904.366.6375
Submitted by jimmaxie on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 7:34am.
It is a very good read. I don't even like football. You story gave me goosebumps as I read it. I just pass all the football stories by but something made me stop and read your entire blog. You made me feel the excitement of seeing greatness unfolding on the grid iron. Tell the coach to put the film on UTUBE so we can see it. Thanks for the story Submitted by ClayCountyCurmudgeon on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 9:31am.
Bill - Thanks for the great article. Believe it or not I was out of town for the weekend and signed on to MCS just to read your summary of the game Fri night. Thanks for the positive journalism! Submitted by JOSTE65 on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 2:12pm.
I am very impressed with Ryan. The team is really doing great. I for one think the coaches are great and have received allot of undo criticism. One thing you may not know is when we get past friday. There is a 50/50 chance the next game will be against Chambelain. This is the school Ryan attended before moving here. GO EAGLES!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU MAKE US SO PROUD!!!! Submitted by ClayCountyCurmudgeon on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 3:02pm.
Off the original blog track, but related and a chance for me to gripe. 1. Following Friday night's big FIHS win with literally seconds left, what is on the front page of the TU sports page - that Bolles lost. Follow the money. If it does not relate to Nease or Bolles, it is back page. 2. Speaking of Nease, check out Jeff Elliott's little blurb in today's paper. JB or BJ - maybe pass the word to him that Fleming Island is in Clay County, either that or he just assumes FIHS will lose Friday night so the St. John's trifecta is a sure bet?
Here is his short blurb: ********************* Setting up shop in St. Johns Should Nease win, it could host the first of three state semifinal games played in St. Johns County next week. The Region 1-5A winner between Bartram Trail (8-4) and Fleming Island (8-4) is assured of hosting the winner of Tampa Chamberlain (9-3) and Kissimmee Osceola (12-0) in a semifinal game the following week. St. Augustine could make it a trifecta if the Yellow Jackets defeat visiting Tallahassee Godby (9-3) on Friday. A St. Augustine win would enable the Yellow Jackets to host a Class 3A semifinal matchup the next week against the winner of Citra North Marion (11-1) and Harmony (10-2).
Submitted by Carstarphen on Tue, 12/04/2007 - 7:19pm.
Bill - fantastic write up on "The Play." Ryan "Tampa" Aplin helped to make this a great season for Fleming Island High. He is a great young man with a lot of poise, talent and leadership skills. As you have pointed out, he initially did not have the starting QB job. As the news of another player transfering over to FIHS came out late summer of 2006, I ran into Ryan at the YMCA and I asked him how things were going as football two-a-days were under way and it was obvious he had been relegated to #2 status. Ryan looked a me with steely eyed determination and said; " I am going to win that starting QB job." Of course, he did and the rest is history. It is that kind of detemination that got the Golden Eagles through some tight situations on the way to the District Championship and state playoff run. Ryan is an great young man, an amazing talent and the D - I schools need to take notice of him... or they may end up competing against him! Thanks again for the great post, the video and being along with us for the great ride! Bill Carstarphen People are talking about ...Here are the recent blog postings with the most comments. |
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What an awesome read! You should be a columnist!
Almost felt like I was in the stands.
Yes, this is why we watch.
And it is why you write..