May 3, 2008

Oak Mountain 3    Grissom 2

 The season ended for the Tigers on the manicured grass field at Oak Mountain HS as the Tigers and the Eagles played a tremendous game and left it all on the field in search of a semi-final berth in the 6A AHSAA state championship.  OM, the state champions in 2005 and 2007, showed from the opening whistle that they possessed more skill and speed than most of Grissom’s opponents this season.  Grissom started slowly but gradually adjusted to the pace of the game as the first half progressed.  A few scoring chances were created by both teams, but mainly the defenses were in control and the tense first half ended scoreless.  The deadlock was broken just over three minutes into the second half when a free kick by OM was caught by keeper Carlos Martin, but then knocked out of his hands into the net.  The goal was allowed to stand and the raucous crowd of Eagle fans erupted thinking they had all the advantage that they needed.  The gritty Tigers responded 30 seconds later however, when P.T. Huang and Josh Konantz hustled downfield to contest a ball that an OM defender was escorting across the end line.  P.T. stripped the ball before it became a corner kick, flicked it to Josh who crossed it to a wide-open Justin Vayda in front of the net.  Justin’s well-placed shot evened the score and switched the momentum of the game.

OM scored again with 22 minutes left when another free kick got loose in the box and was kicked in.  Then, two minutes later, the Eagles made it 3-1 when a shot following a corner kick deflected off a leg into the Grissom goal.

The two-goal deficit looked insurmountable, but Grissom refused to concede.

Using every bit of energy left in their bodies, the Tigers mounted attack after attack against the reeling Eagles for the rest of the half.  P.T. hit the post with one shot and Justin narrowly missed another as the frustrated Tiger family screamed encouragement.  Finally, with just under five minutes to go, Colby Childress knocked in a loose ball in front of the Eagle goal and hopes were raised.  The five minutes passed too quickly however, and at the final whistle, Oak Mountain prevailed.

Another disappointing second round playoff loss in Birmingham is tough to take but it is important to look at what this young, relatively inexperienced Grissom team accomplished.  26 wins, 2 losses, and a tie, is a tremendous record for a team that surprised a lot of people.  More important is the determination and grit that this team showed when faced with adversity.  Facing goal deficits against Rogers, Brentwood, Pelham, and Oak Mountain, this group of Tigers had the courage to fight back and score.

They came up short twice but not because of effort.  That is the characteristic of this team that I will remember and will look for in next year’s group that inherits the Grissom soccer tradition.  Congratulations to Coach John Moran for what you accomplished in your first season and thanks for the example of discipline and character that you showed our boys every day.

This is my final game summary, as next year I become a Grissom soccer parent alumnus.  I’ve found writing these columns to be cathartic, and the kind words expressed to me by readers who have enjoyed them has made the effort worthwhile.  It is my wish that another frustrated sports writer like myself is out there and will continue to write and post game summaries next year and beyond.  If you are thinking about it, my advice is to not think too much.  Next spring when the games begin, just start writing.

Charles Finnegan

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