Three weeks ago I watched the Apex high school football team practice. I was a couple of football fields away from the action so visually it was a limited experience.

But I sure could hear the sounds of practice echo through the pines.

RED-89, RED-89...HUT, HUT !! MOVE, MOVE, MOVE...QUICK FEET, QUICK FEET, QUICK FEET...BREAKDOWN...HAAA!

It reminded me how much I miss playing high school football. It made me wish I had one more game to play at J.F. Webb in Oxford.

At least a couple of times per year I have a vivid dream.

It's Friday night and I'm heading from the locker room toward the final door that separates the gym from the entrance to the football field.

My red helmet shines and my #19 jersey is stretched over my shoulder pads.

After we get outside, the team stands in a group at the top of a hill buzzing with energy and ready to charge the football field below us.

I'm nervous.

I'm excited.

I'm ready to play.

Then comes the frightening part of my dream.

No shoes and no pants.  At least I have on socks and a jock!

Frantically, I rush back into the locker room looking for my cleats and pants. They are nowhere to be found.

My teammates have taken the field and play the game without me. My chance to play one more game of high school football never happened.

That dream is so true (minus the missing pants). You can never go back and play high school sports once they pass you by.

If you have a chance to play high school sports, DO IT.

If you currently play, ENJOY IT !

These are the days to remember.