Tag: sports

Ignition

James HoganLeave a comment

Only a couple minutes before work starts, but thought I’d dash off a quick entry here!

Been a week of craziness here, but a glorious time of coffee, bacon and reading this morning relaxed me sufficiently to be ready for a sweet day today!! Despite all the issues that I’m sure will crop up, I can be at peace knowing that I am exceedingly blessed and preserved, always!!

And seeing the crimson slice of the sun peek up over the horizon today as I drove to work and being pierced by the early morning rays of light, I could not but help and glory in the presence of our Redeemer! Oh do I enjoy Him so every day!!!

(Of course, it’s a bit sad knowing that the gradually shortening days means I will soon not be able to drive to work in light anymore…oh well. I will still rejoice!)

Also, in sports news, the Rays made it to the playoffs the other night in the most epic fashion imaginable!! Down 9 games to the Red Sox at start of September. Came roaring back to be tied with them on the last day of the season. Orioles beat the Sox in the bottom of the 9th on a single with two outs, two strikes. The Rays, meanwhile, were down to the Yankees 7-0 in the 8th. Comeback capped by an Evan Longoria three-run homer in the 8th, and then a Dan Johnson homer in bottom of the 9th(again, two strikes, two outs!!) Went all the way to the 12th…where 5 minutes after the O’s had defeated the Sox, Evan hit *another* homerun to claim victory and the wild card berth!! Sadly, I was asleep the whole time. Still…absolutely AMAZING. And now they’ll play the Rangers – first game tonight! GO RAYS.

Now that I’ve spent most of my time discussing the Rays, no more time to write! It’s work time…time to dominate it up. Peace. Love you all!!

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

James HoganLeave a comment

That’s right, once again, the Gators are national champs!!! Only this time, it’s football. Wow, an absolutely unbelievable game. 41-14. We didn’t just beat them, we KILLED them…our defense looked better than I’ve ever seen it. Our offense was amazing. And Ohio State looked lost. And confused. And very, very sad.

We sacked Troy Smith(Heismann winner, by the way) more times than he completed a pass. Leak threw completions his first 9 passes. And we just got another national championship.

Oh, and this is the first time ever…that a university has been reigning champion at both football and basketball at the same time. GO GATORS!!!

I watched the game at the Jungle II with Rob, Nicole, Javier, Alicia, Eric…and the rest of the Jungle people…we were stunned when the Buckeyes returned the first kickoff for a touchdown. But we were sporting delirious smiles for the rest of the night. After the game, Gainesville went nuts. We lit a Christmas tree on fire in the middle of the parking lot…ok, maybe that was a little bit dangerous. But we were NATIONAL CHAMPIONS. Ran out to University Ave. after that – so crazy with so many people yelling and screaming and dancing and singing…like they say, “It’s great – to be – a Florida Gator!!” This is the one time when it’s acceptable to hug and high-five everyone you see and just go CRAZY! Even the danger of stampedes and getting run over by fire trucks didn’t dampen our spirits…although the thought of having a class the next morning didn’t make me too happy. Eventually, I made my way home…and got some sleep.

Unfortunately, had to get up at 8:30 this morning. Had an awesome day just remembering all the great moments of last night’s victory. Rob recorded the game on his computer, so we’ve been watching that again and again. I bought the official national championship shirt and happen to be wearing it right now. Maybe I’ll wear it tomorrow too! And tonight I was at the basketball game against Arkansas. A great game in its own rights, but at halftime…the football team came out onto the court, and the ODome erupted. They brought out the championship trophy..so beautiful! The basketball team came back on and started congratulating the football team. Amazing to have two championship teams in one place, let me tell you that.

Ok, this is a really long entry, but I guess I might as well say, despite my glee over our win and championship, it’s never good to put your hope in football teams…they may be amazing at times, but they can fail, too. But God never fails, and I hope this Gators dominance works out for His glory. Actually, I know it will.

And one more time.

GO GATORS!!!!!!!