Falcons Proving Me Wrong At Just The Right Time

​Well, Elkhorn Valley, you did it.

​You got hot at the right time. You locked up a spot at state. You proved me right and wrong at the same time.

The Falcons proved me right and wrong becasue I admittedly began to doubt them as the year dragged on. I didn’t doubt the talent. I didn’t doubt the coaching. Honestly, I couldn’t pinpoint exactly what I doubted. They just seemed to fall when I expected them to rise. I guess I just doubted my ability to predict them.

That wasn’t always the case. If you recall, I said multiple times in my preseason previews that I expected them to lock up a spot at state this year. As a matter of fact, I was pretty adamant that they would be going down there with Elgin Public/Pope John. With what they returned in production from last year, it seemed inevitable.

However, games aren’t played on paper and when the season hit, it didn’t go as smooth as I expected. The Falcons sat an 8-8 over midway through the season. They finished the year on an 6-3 run, but it wasn’t quite as dominant as I expected it should have been.

Then subdistricts hit. The Falcons eased past Osmond and Randolph in a way that looked more like I expected it to.

However, I’ll admit, with the way the season had gone, I didn’t know if they could get it done against a Wolfpack squad that sat fourth in the wildcard standings and looked primed for a return trip to Lincoln.

I wasn’t able to make it the game myself. It was an exciting one from all accounts, despite just being three sets. I fortunately had my lovely wife there to text me updates. When I stepped out of meeting to read them all, I was pretty stunned.

“EV up 2-0.” “10-6 in 3rd set, EV up.” “EV wins.”

I was stunned for a variety of reasons. I was stunned that the game only went three sets. I expected all five. I was stunned the Falcons finished it so fast. I was stunned the Falcons turned it around at the absolute perfect moment to make themselves everyone’s favorite story in Lincoln.

​Congratulations girls. See you Thursday.