OT: Working my last game tonight.

[Plainosooner]

I've been a stringer for more than 40 years, though not every year of that. Most of the last 25 it was for the Dallas Morning News or the last six for Fort Worth Star Telegram.

I was going to hang up my laptop this year, but Eric Z gave me a game tonight. So I told him I'd cover Arlington Martin at Dallas Skyline. Actually it's at Forrester, a DISD stadium. One last trip to the press box.

I'm actually not looking forward to it, which is why it was time to go. Eyes and typing skills have receded just a liitle too much. Maybe if they'd stop with the no huddle stuff, I could still keep up. And give us readable jersey numbers.

Just pray that I don't embarrass myself.

 

[Senior Sooner]

I've been a stringer for more than 40 years, though not every year of that. Most of the last 25 it was for the Dallas Morning News or the last six for Fort Worth Star Telegram.

I was going to hang up my laptop this year, but Mike Z gave me a game tonight. So I told him I'd cover Arlington Martin at Dallas Skyline. Actually it's at Forrester, a DISD stadium. One last trip to the press box.

I'm actually not looking forward to it, which is why it was time to go. Eyes and typing skills have receded just a liitle too much. Maybe if they'd stop with the no huddle stuff, I could still keep up. And give us readable jersey numbers.

Just pray that I don't embarrass myself.

Interesting, Plaino! My guess is that you are your own worst enemy, and that any mistakes you may make won't even be noticed by your audience...Good Luck with Your Swan Song~

 

[Plainosooner]

I could likely make up stats. The job is harder every year. Used to be keep individual stats, write a story, get it in by deadline.

Now we tweet 4 times and the box scores take a lot more time with 50-35 games close to common. Used to be 3 receivers on a big night. Now it's often 8 to 10. Games end a lot later. Most DISD or FWISD games, and not a few others, you spend 15 to 20 minutes begging for rosters.

I can sometimes get them online, but those are unreliable. Cooperation decreases every season. Some places use the press box as a luxury box. I've sat next to teen girls who don't understand a press box is the three most pressure packed hours of my work week. Last year, I got locked in a stadium.

It's time for me to find a woman to date on fall Friday nights.

 

[Senior Sooner]

I could likely make up stats. The job is harder every year. Used to be keep individual stats, write a story, get it in by deadline.

Now we tweet 4 times and the box scores take a lot more time with 50-35 games close to common. Used to be 3 receivers on a big night. Now it's often 8 to 10. Games end a lot later. Most DISD or FWISD games, and not a few others, you spend 15 to 20 minutes begging for rosters.

I can sometimes get them online, but those are unreliable. Cooperation decreases every season. Some places use the press box as a luxury box. I've sat next to teen girls who don't understand a press box is the three most pressure packed hours of my work week. Last year, I got locked in a stadium.

It's time for me to find a woman to date on fall Friday nights.

Sounds as though Signing 30 is the right decision for you...

 

[Plainosooner]

Since I have not written a story from an office since 1976, I haven't put 30 at the end of a story in 40 years.

 

[Senior Sooner]

Sonce I have not written a stoory from sn office sonce 1976, I haven't put 30 at the end of a story in 40 years.

Nor I...

 

[larwilli]

Plaino, the good thing about getting older is if you do something to embarrass yourself you won't remember it the next day.

 

[bullmarket]

I've been a stringer for more than 40 years, though not every year of that. Most of the last 25 it was for the Dallas Morning News or the last six for Fort Worth Star Telegram.

I was going to hang up my laptop this year, but Mike Z gave me a game tonight. So I told him I'd cover Arlington Martin at Dallas Skyline. Actually it's at Forrester, a DISD stadium. One last trip to the press box.

I'm actually not looking forward to it, which is why it was time to go. Eyes and typing skills have receded just a liitle too much. Maybe if they'd stop with the no huddle stuff, I could still keep up. And give us readable jersey numbers.

Just pray that I don't embarrass myself.

CONGRATULATIONS PLAINO ON YOUR LONG TENURE!

 

[iasooner1]

Plaino, the good thing about getting older is if you do something to embarrass yourself you won't remember it the next day.

Or care

 

[Plainosooner]

Or care

Well, unfortunately I guess, I do care. And I won't forget that. Last night was a disaster. I'd hoped to finish strong. Wasn't the case. Limped to the tape.

My new laptop froze four different times. Switched from entering play numbers on my excel sheet, to writing them on paper. Then back again.

The final freeze meant missing deadline by more than 90 minutes. And it was a great game, though Martin blew out Skyline after a flurry at the end of the 3rd quarter, 57-26.

Maybe it was Raider ineptitude, but Martin had the most effective kickoff strategy I ever remember seeing. 5 or 6 consecutive onside kickoffs from thr start. Then after Skyline adjusted to that, very effective directional kickoffs. First game status made it work even better.

Skyline cut a 21-0 deficit down to 28-20. But Martin scored immediately, got a 4th down stop. TD and 2 point coversion. Then a deep kickoff recovery that l didn't see, messing with my laptop. Two plays and 38 seconds later, another touchdown. Suddenly 50-20.

Martin looked terrific. But an asst coach told me that they scrimmaged Allen last week and, "it wasn't pretty."

Oh, and while building that first half lead, Martin had 123 yards in penalties.

Both teams had quarterbacks who were dangerous runners. Skyline's had better stats and was really quick. But Martin had four other effective runners. The Raiders had one. And a lot more mistakes.

Both quarterbacks will likely be recruited by somebody, but not as quarterbacks.

-30- for -30-

 

[Senior Sooner]

Well, unfortunately I guess, I do care. And I won't forget that. Last night was a disaster. I'd hoped to finish strong. Wasn't the case. Limped to the tape.

My new laptop froze four different times. Switched from entering play numbers on my excel sheet, to writing them on paper. Then back again.

The final freeze meant missing deadline by more than 90 minutes. And it was a great game, though Martin blew out Skyline after a flurry at the end of the 3rd quarter, 57-26.

Maybe it was Raider ineptitude, but Martin had the most effective kickoff strategy I ever remember seeing. 5 or 6 consecutive onside kickoffs from thr start. Then after Skyline adjusted to that, very effective directional kickoffs. First game status made it work even better.

Skyline cut a 21-0 deficit down to 28-20. But Martin scored immediately, got a 4th down stop. TD and 2 point coversion. Then a deep kickoff recovery that l didn't see, messing with my laptop. Two plays and 38 seconds later, another touchdown. Suddenly 50-20.

Martin looked terrific. But an asst coach told me that they scrimmaged Allen last week and, "it wasn't pretty."

Oh, and while building that first half lead, Martin had 123 yards in penalties.

Both teams had quarterbacks who were dangerous runners. Skyline's had better stats and was really quick. But Martin had four other effective runners. The Raiders had one. And a lot more mistakes.

Both quarterbacks will likely be recruited by somebody, but not as quarterbacks.

-30- for -30-

While this may not have been the desired outcome of your Grand Finale, Plaino, my guess is that it is NOT the End of Your Story...I expect more TK...

Enjoy Your Retirement...There's a LOT to be said for Friday Night Lights...