New season leads to new journey

Click to view image

I am over twenty years from my playing days (and I say days loosely), but I'll admit, Sunday night I was a bit giddy for the opening of camp. It is a sense of new and although the faces will always change, the beginning of the football season has and will always stir up an emotion that you can't explain unless you played.

Over the past few years, I have had the chance to work with this program and what Orioles nation needs to realize is the program is one of the top in the state. With my 'A' job at FOX 9, I have been around other programs and coaches. I can say with complete confidence, no staff does a better job in getting the kids ready to play Friday nights.

Look at the amount of talent that has rolled through this program over the years. Last season alone, the talent base gave the program a shot at a section championship. There is no shame at all in falling to the best team in high school football. Watching from the field, I know how much those kids gave and how much that loss hurt.

Watching this years team during the first couple of days has been a little different. For the first time in years, there are plenty of question marks. There is also plenty of 'wow factor' and kids that are giving everything they have for the opportunity to put their stamp on the program. When you have one of the be

st running backs in the state in Bridge Tussler, you are off to a great start. I remember watching Bridge as a sophomore and thinking, this kid is a game changer. His game is one of the top things I am looking forward to watching this season.

For the first time in program history, fans can view every game live right here free of charge. From a personal perspective, I am excited and humbled to be able to call all the action. I was there for the miracle comeback win over Champlin Park last season and the similar comeback win over Blaine the following week. They are memories I will always remember. When you do this job, you build relationships with the coaches and the kids. That more than anything is the biggest treasure to this job. Friday night is a bonus when all the hard work that the kids and the coaches comes together.

Over the next two weeks, we will blog about practice, talk to the coaches and let you soak in everything about this program as they countdown to Centennial.

Welcome to your season!