Nine wins, two losses. In a few days we were headed for the state playoffs. I had just heard my name called as recipient of the Most Valuable Player award. My knees shook and my palms were so sweaty when Coach Pickett handed me the plaque that I almost dropped it. I stood in front of the microphone, facing the crowd, wondering what to say after the applause died down. Just as Glynnie caught my eye, it dawned on me. This was my chance to say the stuff I didn't get to say before. "I want to thank Coach Pickett for being a great teacher and a great coach. He taught me a lot about football and a lot about working through my mistakes. I want to thank Coach Horton, for making me see there's more than one way of doing a job, and believing in me. I want to thank my teammates, especially Rolf Holst, for pushing me to my limits, but not letting me take myself too seriously. "I want to thank my Mom and my sister for all their love and patience and for putting up with me.
