Not giving up, just moving on

Athlete diary

Friday, Oct. 30, 2009

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It has been a tough week for McDonough football.

Coming off a 50-0 blowout victory over Thomas Stone, Huntingtown was our next challenge. The game was as big as it could be. It was the Washington Post game of the week, the Maryland Independent game of the week and even the local Channel 96 game of the week. It wasn't only big in the media, but also in the McDonough rams football program.

Really, we looked at it as the biggest game of our lives thus far. It was that important.

Huntingtown came into the week 7-0 rolling right through SMAC. We just knew we had to be the team to end all of that.

Both teams played hard especially on the defensive side of the ball. In the end, Huntingtown came out on top, 14-6. A heartbreaking loss for the Rams. We really felt that we were the better team. 

Tough loss and all, but just like I say every week we have to move on. Our last two games are against Leonardtown and La Plata. They are must wins.

Luckily, after the Huntingtown loss, our playoff hopes are still alive. We have to win out and one other team in the 2A South has to lose. I'm praying every night this week they lose.

If we get that opportunity, we're bringing it. You will see a completely different McDonough Rams football team in the playoffs.

Not looking to deep into the future, this week our focus still is Leonardtown.

Although their record may show that they are not very strong, we will not fall asleep. Our coach [Luke Ethington] has been stressing to us all week that these are the kind of games that good teams let slip away.

Leonardtown has nothing to lose. They're bringing everything to the table. Therefore, we will treat them like any other team.

Despite the tough loss and all, we are not giving up. Everyone on the team, including myself, has much room for improvement.

We will work harder and be better than ever.

Derrick Joseph, No. 2

McDonough football