Last Friday night at Eden Prairie, we had the opportunity to take place in a semi-final game that gave us the opportunity to play in the Prep Bowl and came up short to an 11-1 East Ridge 24-20.    Having to overcome a first half where we did not play to our standard proved too costly as we had to climb out of a 17-0 hole after the first 21 minutes of the game where we were completely outplayed.   However, we did have the resiliency to score on the final drive of the first half, and come out in the 2nd half to claim momentum in the 3rd quarter and jump to a 20 – 17 lead.  However, the plays needed to be made during the fourth quarter were made by East Ridge, but our effort truly was to the final whistle as we ended our season on a play that came 11 yards away from being legendary in the annals of Minnesota High school Football.   The hurt will remain from this game for quite a while, but it was an opportunity that few reach, and it represented the heart of a group of young men that truly poured everything on the line.

It’s hard to sit here and say that our season is over.  It was too fun of a ride and I cannot be prouder of a group of young men.  They truly put everything on the line and they were put in endless high-pressure situations where they constantly had to perform.    However, they were a team with a constant smile, and made every day of the season truly a joy to coach and be a part.    I hope they know the impact they made on each other and the school, and the good they have represented over this fall and throughout the off-season.   They were challenged to become leaders and I could see this skill develop right in front of my eyes as the year progressed.    Hopefully, this will continue throughout the rest of their lives because they are a group of young men that truly will make a huge impact down the road.   They know how to love.  They know how to sacrifice.  They know how to be a part of something bigger than themselves and to be there for one another during times that others would not be there.  They are a special group.

In all my years of coaching, I have never seen a team that was not given a break throughout a whole season.   This was the first.   Every team they played was full-strength, playing well at the time and coming in with good momentum.   Every game of the regular season they played great teams that had all of their parts and our kids embraced every challenge.  After two weeks of practice, they took on an experienced Osseo team, then an undefeated Hopkins team that just won by 40, a ranked Edina team, an Eden Prairie team that won every game by 40, an undefeated Wayzata team, a Minnetonka team rallying through tragedy, a Prior Lake team that just took Eden Prairie to the brink, and a Shakopee team that had their star running back playing again, just lost to Prior Lake by 1, beat Edina, challenged Eden Prairie and nearly beat Totino in the playoffs.   Not one of those teams had a major injury coming in and they all were full strength as we played them.  Then they played Eastview in the playoffs that played a 7-1 Burnsville team the previous week and led entering the 4th quarter, an Armstrong team that dominated a 6-2 Woodbury team and had all-state, division I caliber players that had played together a long time, and then a Burnsville team with that was 9-1 with 3 division I players that were all up for major post season awards.  Then, sadly we did not finish the way we wanted to against an 11-1 East Ridge team that had great size and skill and put us on our heels early.  During this whole season, our kids never wavered, and they performed in situations that required intense preparation on a weekly basis and they did nothing but get better and grow tighter as a family.  Many teams still playing today got to play games against other teams not at full-strength or against opponents that upset others, but our guys constantly were given the best.   All of the state championships I was lucky enough to be a part of all involved breaks like this along the way.   This team never got one.    They wanted to be the best, so they loved going against everyone’s best.  That is awesome.  Our mantra is “no excuses” and they never made one during this entire season and because of this they truly grew into becoming a group of young men that can make anybody involved with them truly proud.   They grew to love challenges and they showed that every Friday during this season.

When high expectations are prevalent, the hurt that follows is excruciating and the ability to understand the value in the process becomes harder and harder because many times all that is seen is we didn’t reach our goal.   That is not true.  We reached it.  Obviously, we love to win and we approach every game with the goal of doing so, but my ultimate goal has always been that “those who stay will become champions”.  It never says, “those who stay will win a championship”.   It is a wonderful feeling to go for one, but losing one step early does not remove one element of what makes this group great.   They have overcome struggles, conquered things together, set a culture, faced challenges, exuded leadership and became men right in front of our eyes.   They forever belong to something that hopefully makes them proud and inspired many around them to be great.   They formed dreams in the eyes of future Crimson and they were even heroes for some during that time.   They were gutsy enough to come over and start a Maple Grove youth football league that was unpopular at the time but clearly was best for both involved.    They were willing to stick their chest out and say, “We Are Crimson!”  Not one ounce of regret should lie in any of them, because they gave all they had for each other, and they created a bond that will not be broken.   The last play of the game represented everything that this team was about.   When it seemed there was zero chance of victory, they still did not give up and almost made a play that others never even considered.   As sad as that play was, and seeing all of us scattered throughout the field in exhaustion and disappointment, that was why this group was great, and I will always love them and what they are about.   As I said before, you are forever champions and forever Crimson.  A championship does not define greatness.  The impact you made on others is what remains.    I will miss getting the chance to coach all of you seniors more than you will ever know, but you are always a part of my and this football family.   I know you will be nothing but great from here on out because it’s in your blood!   Those coming back, you need to claim what makes you special and how you will make a difference.   Approach each day like a champion, believe in what you are about, love to compete, and then the championships will follow just because its part of the process.   GO CRIMSON!  I cannot be prouder as a coach!

Lombo