it’s always tough around this time of the year when your seasons over. It’s been 2 weeks since our season ended in round 2.
But as I look back at our season as a whole, I couldn’t be more proud. We started the season (0-1) in a 26-21 road lost to plantation, in a game Dillard just made to many mistakes to overcome.
we followed that up with 4 consecutive wins to improve to (4-1) only to have our season halted & went a month without playing a game. Only for the first time we get back on the field is in week 8 vs our most hated rival where we lose our starting Qb for the year in the second quarter due to a broken leg, and we lose that game to fall to (4-2).
As a team we could’ve gave up, we could’ve held our heads and just chalked it up that this year isn’t our year. But instead we go on to play 3 games in 6 nights. “2 being district games” & finished the regular season (8-2).
time to clap our hands right? Even through all the adversity we get to host a first round playoff game right ? WRONG. Instead we were rewarded by having to go on the road for a two hour drive & face (10-0) John Carroll Catholic who came in avg over 45 PPG.
in the past, Dillard loses that game. Wether it was due to coaching, lack of team maturity to play on the road in the playoffs in hostile territory, etc. but instead we went up there put belt to ass in blowout fashion & won the dam game.
We can breathe now right ?, we made it to be second round. WRONG AGAIN. We were really awarded this time LOL, we had to go on the road again to matchup with #29 in the nation #1 in 4A American heritage.
Being Little ole Dillard, with no *4 Stars no *5 stars, no recruits, a freshman backup Qb thrown into the fire week 8, we were projected 28 point underdogs.
How did we respond ? We went in jumped out 14-0. Led 14-0 at the half. Being the first team this year to hold the patriots scoreless in a half, especially at home.
okay, it’s the second half heritage is sure to wake up and blow Dillard out the water now right ? , not so fast. With 6 min remaining in the 4th quarter Dillard still led the patriots 14-10.
unfortunately for my panthers a few plays in those final minutes that could’ve put us over the top and won us the game didn’t go our way & we lost 24-14. Still holding heritage to their lowest total point total this year.
With all that said. There are no moral victories in sports. But the growth I’ve seen in this team over the course of this year, the fight, the triumph through adversity, I’m just so dam proud of this team. If we can keep this squad together & make strides during the off season. Dillard will be a top 3 threat in 4A next year. Until then #GODILLARD!!!!
@nolebull813 @Jullian @DarterBlue2