ninth grade football

just back from ben's big, multi-team scrimmage this morning in mendota heights. the como city boys ran offensive and defensive plays against teams from henry sibley and wachonia. the team did well (the coaches were pleasantly surprised)--reeling off a number of big plays, holding pretty solid on D, and with really solid line play all around. Ben started on offensive and defensive line (right guard on O, end on D) and played every series but one. and best of all: no broken bones!!! he just got home--happy but a bit tired out. He also had a slight cut on his chin--though apparently that happened getting on the bus, when he was blind-sided by the schenagans of a couple of other guys. this is probably not surprising. some of what seems to be the funnest and funniest stuff seems to be happening in the locker room before and after practices. ben has stories about stuffing a kid named anthony into a locker and lots of locker room talk (not all of which we are able to get full reports on. maybe the best one so far: the other day ben apparently got dressed and ready to go, and started walking out before realizing he had forgotten to put his pants on. a freshman move, for sure.