Edison vs. Fountain Valley-What a Game!

Edison had their big cross town rival, Bell Game last night. This is always a HUGE event...with this years game having a Sunset League Championship on the line. With a sold out crowd of 9,000 people, the boys stepped onto the field, into a college/pro game atmosphere. The noise was electrifying, the stands were filled, people shoulder to shoulder, kids sitting on each others laps trying to squeeze in. Edison started the game very flat, the defense spent the entire first half on the field. Fountain Valley's blitz was killing our quarterback (we're primarily a passing team). Sack after sack, we would hold our breathe, hoping Matt Viles would get back up. The defense, tired but determined to stop Fountain Valley's Kyle Middlebrooks (averages 8 yards a carry) played with all heart. Jullien came up with a big play...reading the hand off to Middlebrooks, he tackled him for a loss of 2 yrds (see 7:27 of Varsity Times Blog). It's 0-0 heading into the half, Fountain Valley held us to only 18 yards in the first half.

Our offense looked defeated...we waited through half-time hoping that our NORMAL Edison team would return to the field. Without an offense, our only hope was to hold them and score on defense. The defense stepped up continuously throughout the 3rd quarter and held them again.

In the fourth quarter, we fumbled and the crowd sat down, quietly awaiting the inevitable. Fountain Valley took this opportunity along with help from several Edison penalties to move the ball down the field and punch it into the end zone. The game had taken a turn for the worse...now we would see what this team was made of. With Luke Gane attending his first game since his bone marrow transplant, the team had a determination far and above the Bell and Sunset League Championship Title...they were playing for a fallen teammate. A brother who has been going through the battle of his life.

The FV touchdown seemed to breathe a new life into Edison's offense. Edison used a trick play, straight out of the Boise State play book. Viles pitched the ball to Davion Orphey who faked a sweep...Orphey then tossed it back to Viles, he threw it 38 yards to Will Andrew. The offense was finally ALIVE. With 5:38 left to play, we scored on a short pass to Jordan Zumwalt. The crowd went crazy, the noise was deafening, the team was fighting back. We had momentum and didn't waste it.

The defense stepped onto the field, flapping their arms, signaling the crowd to make more noise. This strategy would drown out the quarterbacks count and cause an offside penalty, it worked! Holding them once again, they proudly stepped off the field, now confident that they could rely on the offense. They were not let down...with 1:36 left in the game, Mikey Rivera caught a touchdown pass, 14-7 Edison.

The kickoff would then be returned 88 yards for a touchdown by Middlebrooks. A flag in the backfield signaled a Fountain Valley penalty, the touchdown would not count. The defense came out determined to finish the task. With seconds left, Jullien went helmet to helmet and stayed down hurt, he stumbled to get up, 2 seconds left and FV on our 20 yard line. As Jullien made it to the side lines, he passed out, as the trainer tried to carry my 6'4 son. Final play, a deep, desperate pass thrown into the end zone, sailed past the intended receiver, we won! The team grabbed the Bell and hoisted Luke onto their shoulders...carry both to the center of the field with pride.

Jullien was on the sidelines repeating himself, trying to stand up to return to the game, unaware that it was already over. He had received a concussion. He walked over to shake hands in a daze, went and took pictures with the Bell and Luke Gane. The trainer followed him around, foggy he asked over and over again, "Did I shake hands and take pictures with the Bell?"

Our night ended with an incredible high and a trip to the emergency room...WHAT A GAME!!

Check out the Varsity Blog Insider live report of the game. View game on IBNSPORTS.com (click on demand, then Edison HS @ Fountain Valley) (Edison is in white-Jullien's #9)...WHAT A GAME!

FSN Prime Ticket - Friday Night

I wanted to let everyone know that my son's team will be on t.v. tomorrow night after the Dodger game, appx 10:30 - on FSN Prime Ticket - High School Game of the Week. It will replay on Monday Sept. 29th at 7:00 p.m. in CA, (not sure of the time in other states). I don't know how many states will be able to see it, but if you're sitting at home on a Friday night, TUNE IN!! It should be a really great game. My son is #9, and plays strong safety (defense) for Edison High School (we are Green Bay colors).

Jullien is REALLY nervous he said he doesn't want to mess up, especially on t.v. I've been trying to tell him NO ONE is perfect...and as long as he corrects himself, he will be fine! He doesn't want to hear it though...he's just a freak about it, even gets so worked up he throws up before every game!

Servite (the school we are playing) is selling programs for $10.00 and half of the profit will go to Luke Gane...very cool. http://lukegane.blogspot.com/ They will also show the interview with the Gane family. SO TUNE IN!!!

Ryan Seacrest Stopped By...WOO HOO!

Today I've designated as movie day...it also will help give back to CHOC Hospital (Childrens Hospital, Orange County).

I know ALL of you have heard of Ryan Seacrest (American Idol host) and his radio show KIIS FM...well they visited CHOC Hospital to try and cheer up the kids who are VERY sick. Our son's team mate and friend is there and they paid him a visit (stop by his blog) http://LukeGane.Blogspot.com. Luke has a video message he posted for all his friends and family...a MUST SEE, here is the direct link http://lukegane.blogspot.com/2008/09/video-message-from-luke.html.

KIIS shot a video on Saturday and it's on this link
http://www.kiisfm.com/pages/lollipoplive08/?_show It's the Viral Video. Just click on the photo and you will catch a few quick shots of Luke getting down...it's a fun video.

Check out the entire site. Make sure to watch the video because if they get at least 100,000 hits, the Anaheim Ducks will donate $10k to CHOC.

TODAY IS YOUR DAY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Just watch a video and send it to your friends and family. I told you it's EASY to reach out and help others!!!

And you thought it was going to be just another boring, ordinary day...WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES!

100th POST: I CAN DO IT?

Looking back...I think my most fulfilling posts have involved making a difference. We all have problems, stress, money issues, family issues...it's amazing when you finally stop spending all your time thinking about yourself. The what if's, how come, why me, it all doesn't matter. I can say this because as we go through one of the most trying times in our life right now, I know that the monetary things are not the most important. I feel at peace...I spend my time trying to help others and not think of myself. Things are out of our control, so I choose to take control of the situations I can. Finding ways to help other people. On the day of my 100th post...I was able to be a part of something special.


OGGI'S PIZZA & OC PIZZA donated ALL the Food~100% of Profit benefitted the Gane Family!

Owner of Oggi's in the striped shirt with Al & Maria

Jr. Midget Team Fundraiser Dinner

Raising money to help a family with a sick child is something that far out weighs our situation! I keep praying for a purpose in my life...being the change in someone's life has given me a direction. "I am only one person...what can I do?" This question was one that I often asked myself, which was followed by, "Nothing I guess, so I wont do anything." Year after year, excuse after excuse, I would repeat this. Until I realized, I can do small things that might make a BIG difference to someone else.

If you have been pondering this...I'd like to encourage you to start with SOMETHING! No matter how small, the little things will lead you into bigger things, before you know it, you've changed someone's world. The less time you spend focusing on yourself the better you'll feel.

Today our team gave of our time and money to help relieve the burden for a family with a sick child. Small but meaningful, rewarding and encouraging...I can make a difference in someone's life...one small act of unselfish giving at a time. I would like to challenge you and ask that by the time you reach your 100th, 200th or 500th post...you write about something that inspired you to be the change in the world!

I have attached a few of my favorite posts from the past year...I hope they will inspire at least one person to reach out~I started with a true story about an amazing experience that changed my life.

MY CHRISTMAS MIRACLE - A TRUE STORY
http://searchwarp.com/swa278027.htm

DOES SOMEBODY NEED YOU?
http://lisapetrarca.blogspot.com/2008/05/does-somebody-need-you.html

INSPIRATIONAL POEM ~ PUSH AHEAD
http://lisapetrarca.blogspot.com/2008/04/uplifting-poem-push-ahead.html

THIS WILL GIVE YOU CHILLS
http://lisapetrarca.blogspot.com/2008/03/this-will-give-you-chills.html

CAN YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN A DAY
http://lisapetrarca.blogspot.com/2008/01/can-you-make-difference-in-day.html

THE EDISON BUM
http://lisapetrarca.blogspot.com/2008/07/edison-bum.html

INSPIRATIONAL STORY FROM DR. IN SOUTH AFRICA
http://lisapetrarca.blogspot.com/2008/07/inspirational-story-from-dr-in-south.html

AN ATTEMPT IS EVERYTHING
http://lisapetrarca.blogspot.com/2008/06/attempt-is-everything.html

THE INVISIBLE MAN
http://lisapetrarca.blogspot.com/2008/05/invisible-man.html

PLAY VOCABULARY GAME ~ HELP THE HUNGRY
http://lisapetrarca.blogspot.com/2008/04/play-vocabulary-game-help-hungry.html

I HAD A REALLY COOL EXPERIENCE
http://lisapetrarca.blogspot.com/2008/03/i-had-really-cool-experience.html

SKID ROW
http://lisapetrarca.blogspot.com/2008/02/skid-row.html

HELP KIDS IN AFRICA
http://lisapetrarca.blogspot.com/2008/02/help-kids-in-africa.html

I would like to close my 100th Post with a story:

Cherokee Indian Legend

Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's rite of passage? His dad takes him into the forest, blindfolded and leaves him....alone. He is required to sit on a stump the whole night...and not take off the blindfold until the ray of sun shines through it. He is all by himself. He cannot cry out for help to anyone.

Once he survives the night he is a MAN. He cannot tell the other boys of this experience. Each lad must come into his own manhood. The boy was terrified-could hear all kinds of noise...Beasts were all around him. Maybe even some human would hurt him. The wind blew the grass and earth...and it shook his stump. But he sat stoically - never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could be a man.

Finally, after a horrific night...the sun appeared and he removed his
blindfold. It was then that he saw his father sitting on the stump next to him...at watch...the entire night!

We are never alone. Even when we do not know it, our Father is protecting us...He is sitting on the stump beside us. All we have to do is reach out to Him. Joshua 1:9

Football & More...

Touchdown Break Away!! (double click for close ups)


Interception Run Back For Touchdown ~


Breaking Tackles to the End Zone!

With all that's been going on lately...I haven't been able to update you on my kids football games.

Elijah (13 yr old) had an AMAZING first game...he scored THREE TOUCHDOWNS! Two of them were on 65 and 45 yard runs. He broke about 5 tackles to get to the end zone. It was amazing to watch...they had him wrapped up and everyone was saying, "How did he get out of that?" His third touchdown was on an interception and he ran it back 75 yards! Yep, I'm a proud mom! We won our second game also...Elijah scored anther touchdown.

Jullien (16 yr old) had a Varsity game...he made most of the tackles on the team. It was so great to see him out there on Varsity. He has worked SO hard. We killed the other team 63-8. We ended up in the emergency room, he made a tackle and then there was the dreaded dog pile on top of him. He bruised his ribs...thank goodness they weren't broken! He still is in a lot of pain. Luckily they have a Bye this week, he can have more time to heal. Edison would be in trouble without their strong safety!

Our Pop Warner team will be holding a dinner night this Friday, with ALL the proceeds going to Luke Gane (recovering from bone marrow transplant/aplastic anemia). Feels good to make a difference! We have put a request out to the entire league to get them to volunteer their dinner night proceeds also. We have had quite a lot of responses...what an amazing community we live in. THIS IS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT!!

The Loss of a Friend, Husband & Father

We just received word yesterday that our good friend Mike Burk died on Tuesday. He had flu like symptoms over the weekend went to sleep and never woke up. They think he either caught something in Mexico while he was working or had an aneurism. He leaves behind a wife and three boys. The basketball league (PCH) has established a memorial fund for his family. If you would like to donate to the family here is the information:

Mike Burk Memorial Fund c/o PCH

P.O. Box 5811

Huntington Beach Ca. 92615

Above is a picture of Mike (Red Hat) along with his middle son Michael (#24) taken for last years All Star team. Please pray for his family! Mike was a very fun, caring, and loving husband, father and friend. He coached my middle son Jullien in basketball for 2 years and just adored him. He always made my son feel so special and important. We met Mike and Karen back when Jullien was 6 during baseball. We remained friends throughout the years and feel very lucky to have been a part of their lives.

Mike was very competitive when it came to the kids sports. He always tried to beat my husbands basketball team, (who usually is undefeated every year). At the beginning of every season Mike would come walking up...smile and say, "I'm going to beat you this year...it's my goal and this is the year!" He'd laugh as my husband would say, "I don't think so Mike!" After losing to us every game last season again, he said I'll get you in the All Star game!" When that didn't happen...walking out to the parking lot with him and Karen...he said, "I gotta hand it to ya...you always have a GREAT team! I'm going to beat you sometime though, just wait!"

Mike...you have finally won! You have made it to HEAVEN in the loving protection of our Heavenly Father! We will miss your, smile, spirit, sense of humor and love, till we meet again!

THE FUNDRAISER WAS AWESOME!

The fundraiser for Luke..."Locks for Luke" was amazing. It started at 7:00 am and one of our rival schools, Servite High School was the first team there (even before our boys from Edison arrived). They came to get their heads shaved and show support. After they were done, they huddled in a circle in the parking lot and prayed for Luke. The Huntington Beach Fire Dept. showed up and shaved their heads. Fox Sports Net was there interviewing and covering the whole event.

What an incredible day...it sure renews your faith in people!


JULLIEN


One of the players with Luke's initial's


Quarterback shaving his long hair


Inside the Salon


Jullien and Teammates


Football team in front of salon and Fire Engine (Jullien's the tall one in navy tank)


Fox Sport Net Interview

More Interviews

Coming Together For A Cause

I have been really stretching and growing lately (the comfort zone thing). I want to make a difference any way I can...which can be a little stressful when you doubt yourself a lot. I decided to sign up to take a dinner to the Gane family (this is HUGE for me). I know most of you think, "What's the big deal?" Well you've never had the displeasure of eating my cooking! Even my own kids HATE my meals. I'm not exaggerating, I'm BAD, I don't enjoy it either. It falls right up there with the laundry category (which my husband does). He refuses to cook though...so everyone gets to suffer.

I make one good dinner, tacos...everyone loves my tacos. Now I'll give you one guess what I'm making for the Gane family...yep, you're right. I'm going to bring chips and salsa and banana splits for desert (this should make them happy...it's a bunch of boys). I'm really starting to see some growth here...Woo Hoo!

Tonight there is going to be a prayer concert for Luke http://lukegane.blogspot.com/
He has started the chemo and is VERY SICK! He will be receiving the bone marrow transplant on Tuesday, Sept. 2 from his ten year old brother. So if you can all keep praying for Luke and his family!!

Tomorrow they will be having a fund-raiser, "Locks for Luke"...they are asking for a $20.00 donation and shaving the boys heads in Luke's honor and to help raise money for the family. If you are interested in donating money please contact, bfisherhb@yahoo.com (I don't have the specific account information)...any amount ($1.00, $5.00, $10.00) every little bit adds up. I will be taking my son there and also taking pictures to post and forward to the family.

I would like to encourage all my blogging friends to come together for a cause...(praying and/or donating)...YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SOMEONES LIFE!!