Cheat play "joking way to end their season"

John Hart, sports director of WJBF-TV (ABC) and WFXG-TV (FOX) in Augusta, Georgia, reported that he talked to a Lakeside player about the infamous "cheat" play they tried to pull against Effingham County on November 4 and the player had an interesting explanation for the play, but he didn't say what that explanation was. I emailed Mr. Hart and asked him to explain what the player said. He wrote back and said: "The player basically said that they had run the play as a prank several times during intra-squad scrimmages and that when it was called they all just sort of thought it was a fun, joking way to end their season (it was their final play of the year). The player view seems to be that this was just a joke gone horribly wrong. And the coach admits that it was horrible judgement and definitely not the right time or place."
Hmmm.

Football team cheats, caught on video

Last Friday, November 2, 2007, our high school, Effingham County of Springfield, Georgia, defeated Lakeside High School of Evans, Georgia by a score of 7-0. On the last play of the game, Lakeside attempted a "Hail Mary" pass, but the game film shows that they also tried to cheat. They had a wide receiver run to the sidelines, and then way down the field they had a player who had been standing on the sidelines run onto the field to try to catch the ball.Effingham County intercepted the ball anyway, and the game was over. This video was posted on You Tube, and the Atlanta and Savannah newspapers wrote stories about it.
Coach Jody Grooms of Lakeside has apologized off camera to a TV station. The principal says that Coach Grooms will be disciplined, but not fired, since it was an "isolated incident." It may be an isolated incident, but it wasn't spontaneous; the coach had to plan a play like that. Grooms was teaching his students, but it was not a good lesson he was teaching. Being caught on video illustrates what the Bible says, that "your sin will find you out." (Numbers 32:23)
You can watch the video yourself by clicking here.

MORE STORIES:
Augusta newspaper reports that Coach Grooms sent letters of apology to Effingham County and to his own principal.

Editorial by Augusta newspaper says, "Dear Effingham County, we apologize and promise not to cheat again, for at least another 20 years."

Augusta TV station talks to Lakeside coach who apologizes off camera.

Augusta newspaper says coach will be disciplined but not fired.

Augusta TV station says coach will be fined and put on "severe warning status."

UPDATE NOVEMBER 13: Lakeside coach steps down as athletic director, but remains football coach for now.

Florida wins National Championship again

The Florida Gators made history by winning the national championship in men's college basketball, after winning the national championship in football earlier this year.

"March Madness" in church

It's "March Madness," the time when basketball fans get excited about the college playoffs.
We have "March Madness" in church, too. Matt Tullos has noticed lots of sports terms that fit in church. Basketball has an "alley-oop." In church, an "alley-oop" would be when the singer sings an incredible song that relates to the sermon and the preacher slams it home. But be careful, as church can also have an "alley-oops," as when the pastor preaches a sermon on adultery and then the soloist sings, "Why Not Tonight?"
Basketball also has a "slam-dunk." In church, a "slam-dunk" happens when the pastor loses his grip in the baptistry. There is also a foul called a "double-dribble." In church, this is when the Lord's Supper juice glasses are cracked.
Football has a "blitz." In church, a "blitz" is when a 20 people rush the associate pastor five minutes before the service, each with an announcement that must be made. Football also has a "screen pass." In church, a "screen pass" is when the pastor plans to use a clip from a Disney movie and then chickens out. Then there is the "illegal use of the hands" foul. This happens in more formal churches when charismatic worship is practiced. Then there is the "two-minute warning." In church, this is when the pastor slows down his sermon with the words, "Finally, church..."
Baseball has the term "stealing home." In church this is when a member slips out the back door during the invitation. Another baseball term is a "pinch hitter." In church, this is when a visiting preacher steps up to the pulpit.
My favorite sports term is a "sacrifice." This is done by a baseball player who allows himself to get out in order to advance a runner or even bring a runner home. And this is what Jesus did for us on the cross, getting "out" in order to advance us to our eternal "home" in Heaven. He had to do this because all of us have a "batting average" that is below .500 (we are sinners who often strike out) and we aren't good enough to get to Heaven on our own good deeds. Thank God, that even in the bottom of the ninth, with two outs, we can make a comeback and win the victory through faith in Jesus Christ!
That's the message of the Easter season, when "March Madness" turns into "April Gladness."

Kudos to Dungy, thumbs down to the NFL

I have been a fan of the Manning family ever since Archie Manning played football at Ole Miss and the New Orleans Saints. So naturally I was excited to see quarterback Peyton Manning, son of Archie Manning, and the Indianapolis Colts win the Super Bowl.

But I'm more proud of Tony Dungy, the coach, who said that he was glad to be the first African-American coach to win the Super Bowl, but he was even more happy about doing it in a Christ-like way, and getting to play against another fine Christian coach, Lovie Smith of the Chicago Bears. Read the article here. Kudos to coach Dungy; what a great role model.

On the other hand, boo hiss and thumbs down to the NFL, for telling a church they cannot show the Super Bowl on a large screen and share the gospel, while at the same time the NFL says its okay for sports bars to show the game on large screens to people as they get sloshed. Read that article here.