And So It Begins

Football season is upon us.  Our Friday nights are full for the next couple of months.  Willie is a senior and I guess this is it for football.  I don't plan to miss any games this year unless the weather is too terrible for a baby (and then we'll try to just find a place to sit in the car, I guess).

Last night wasn't quite the first game, but only the blue and white scrimmage.  How did they look?  I don't know.  I wasn't really paying attention and even if I was I'll never really understand football.  What I did notice is that they seem to be having fun and their coach (4th coach in 3 years) seems to be into it and has a genuine interest in the kids.  There was excitement in the air and although not too many people attended, there was a substantial student section.  That was pretty cool!  They even formed a "tunnel" for all the players to run out through at the end.  Enthusiasm at Hunter High?  Maybe the tweets of their new student body president are making some small progress.  We'll see.

You can find write-ups of this year's team in both the Deseret News and the Salt Lake Tribune.  The Deseret News article mentions Willie:

"The offense will rely on running back Hyrum Purcell and quarterback Shaun Scanlan. Both are seniors and have the experience and drive that could propel the team to its former glory. The offensive line will be anchored by Tevita Tauteoli, a sophomore, and Willie Petersen, a senior and the student body president."

Willie is the starting center this year instead of the starting left tackle.  I asked him a week or so ago what he thought about that.  He said that he'd much rather play left tackle, but he was ok taking on the role at center. When I questioned him further, he said he would describe it to me in video game terms.  It went something like this, "I would be rated like 90% at left tackle and my rating at center would be around 80%.  However, there are a couple of other kids with a 90% rating at left tackle, but I have the highest rating at center."  To get his full point across, though, he ended our conversation by saying, "I have to play center, but I really just don't like it because someone is always touching my bum."

Here are some pictures from Friday night's scrimmage.

Willie is at the front of the blue pack, looking at the ball.

Willie is #74 standing there in the middle

1st attempt at the Haka for the season.