NCAA 08: The life of a WR from St. Charles, Mo

[MizzouRah]

The last year of my High School football career and although my friends kid about how slow I am, I still have a dream that some college will offer me a scholarship to play football for them. If nothing else, I can knock some un-suspecting CB or S on his butt while our star RB breaks one to the house!

Position: WR
Number: 31
Skill: Possession receiver
Height: 6' 1"
Weight: 175

School: St. Charles West


As I look at the bracket, we will be playing St. Louis and I'm really pumped to get out there and hit someone. Heck, I might even catch a pass or two while I'm at it. :)

[MJ4H]

YES!

[MizzouRah]

Game 1

St. Louis vs St. Charles West

Boy, the adrenaline was really pumping through my body as I took the field for our first possession. All I kept saying to the CB accross from me was, "You better get ready to get planted on your a** tonight!".

The first play from scrimmage and our QB called for a sweep to my side, as soon as the ball was snapped, I popped the CB and freed our talented RB for a 15 yard gain. It's going to be a LOOONG night Mr. #26 I yelled!

My first catch was an 10 yard completion and after the initial hit, I was smacked by an unmarked truck. "Yeah baby!" was all I remember him yelling as I picked myself back off the field.

My second and final catch was a 19 yard completion where I should have scored, but instead I ran to the inside and was stopped 1 yard short. "Dammit!" I yelled as I looked into the crowd.

We dominated the game and when the final gun sounded, it was:

St. Louis - 10
St. Charles West - 31

Our RB had a stellar game, gaining 179 yards on 19 carries. He should have any problems going to a school of his choice.

(the EA servers are not responding right now, so I'll have a couple of vids of my 2 catches and a pic later tonight or tomorrow)


After the game, coach told me these scouts were in attendance looking at me:

#22 TCU
Navy
Duke
Ball State
Northern Illinois
Utah

No Missouri? I ask him with a frown on my face.



Next up: Hannibal who beat Grandview (41-0) talk about pressure!

[jbmagic]

YES!

Don't get too excited. He never stays long with his dynasty. ;)

[Young Drachma]

I'm excited to do this on NCAA '08 too. Good stuff.

[MizzouRah]

Sorry guys, I can't upload ANYTHING and I really want to get some pics and videos up as the immersion will be ten-fold once I can get that to happen.

Get those servers running EA! :)

[MizzouRah]

Game 1 vs St. Louis highlights

My first reception!

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/6241/mizzourah0971xbox360071rq5.jpg (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/)


My first catch, a 10 yarder!
<embed src='http://admin.brightcove.com/destination/player/player.swf' bgcolor='#FFFFFF' flashVars='allowFullScreen=true&initVideoId=1119265108&servicesURL=http://www.brightcove.com&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://www.brightcove.com&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&autoStart=false' base='http://admin.brightcove.com' name='bcPlayer' width='486' height='412' allowFullScreen='true' allowScriptAccess='always' seamlesstabbing='false' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' swLiveConnect='true' pluginspage='http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash'></embed>
</EMBED>

[MizzouRah]

20 yard catch to the 1 yard line (run the other way stupid)
<embed src='http://admin.brightcove.com/destination/player/player.swf' bgcolor='#FFFFFF' flashVars='allowFullScreen=true&initVideoId=1119266612&servicesURL=http://www.brightcove.com&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://www.brightcove.com&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&autoStart=false' base='http://admin.brightcove.com' name='bcPlayer' width='486' height='412' allowFullScreen='true' allowScriptAccess='always' seamlesstabbing='false' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' swLiveConnect='true' pluginspage='http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash'></embed>
</EMBED>

[MrBug708]

You should have cut to the outside!

[MizzouRah]

Game 2

St. Charles West vs Hannibal

Both teams fight for the first two quarters as they try to figure out eachother's weaknesses. At halftime the score is 0-0.

3rd quarter is all ours as we score as our RB #33 Hill bounces outside for a 33 yard TD. I layed their safety out, which was the last defender between Hill and the goal line.

My first catch is a 5 yarder and I start to feel comfortable.
My next catch is a 30 yarder and the crowd screams when I get up off the turf! I reached out between two defenders and felt the leather in my hands.

http://img480.imageshack.us/img480/2752/mizzourah0971xbox360071zd2.jpg (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/)


My third and final catch is something I've dreamed about, a 19 yard TD and my first score of the playoffs! I felt like crying as I picked my parents out of the crowd.

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/9956/mizzourah0971xbox360071zq5.jpg (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/)



We win 28-14 and pull to within 1 game of the State Championships!

My stats:
3 catches, 53 yards, 1 TD (long of 30)

Scouts in attendance:
#19 UCLA
#13 Auburn
Houston
SMU
Florida Atlantic
Army


Next up: vs Farmington for the right to go to the State Championship!

(videos to follow)

[MizzouRah]

You should have cut to the outside!

I know... it all happened so quickly. :D

[MizzouRah]

Game 2 Video Highlights

30 yard catch between two defenders (soft hands, baby!)
<embed src='http://admin.brightcove.com/destination/player/player.swf' bgcolor='#FFFFFF' flashVars='allowFullScreen=true&initVideoId=1119266614&servicesURL=http://www.brightcove.com&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://www.brightcove.com&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&autoStart=false' base='http://admin.brightcove.com' name='bcPlayer' width='486' height='412' allowFullScreen='true' allowScriptAccess='always' seamlesstabbing='false' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' swLiveConnect='true' pluginspage='http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash'></embed>
</EMBED>

[MizzouRah]

Game 2 vs Hannibal highlights

He could...go..all....the....way!
<embed src='http://admin.brightcove.com/destination/player/player.swf' bgcolor='#FFFFFF' flashVars='allowFullScreen=true&initVideoId=1119187965&servicesURL=http://www.brightcove.com&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://www.brightcove.com&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&autoStart=false' base='http://admin.brightcove.com' name='bcPlayer' width='486' height='412' allowFullScreen='true' allowScriptAccess='always' seamlesstabbing='false' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' swLiveConnect='true' pluginspage='http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash'></embed>

[MizzouRah]

Tune in tomorrow West fans as St. Charles West meets Farmington in a battle for the rights to play in the State Championship!!!

So far in 2 games, #31 has caught 5 catches for 81 yards and 1 TD.

[MizzouRah]

Ok, I messed up and deleted some of them.. off to fix them, sorry.

[MrBug708]

I think ending up as a WR on Hawaii would be fun

[Poli]

Woah, the newer systems have HS ball? Must resist the temptation!!!!

Farmington, blah.

[MizzouRah]

Woah, the newer systems have HS ball? Must resist the temptation!!!!

Farmington, blah.

Yeah, but you're just a player the coach makes all the calls! ;)

[MizzouRah]

Game 3 vs Farmington

Another battle and it's tied 7-7 at halftime.

I end up with 2 catches for 11 yards, not a great game by me for sure as their CB had me covered well all game.

We win 28-14 and it's off to the State Championship!!

[MizzouRah]

Game 4 vs Lee's Summit

Wow, as I step out onto Fauot field, home of the Missouri Tigers, I get that hair raising feeling. I just stand there for a minute or two as I look at the crowd cheering. I could get used to this, that's for sure.

At halftime it's 6-3 us, but it's been tough.

Second half is all us as we win the State Championship, 30-11!!

I have a nice game, 4 catches for 50 yards!

(EA servers are not doing well again today) :(

Time to see if any colleges want me.

[MizzouRah]

Wow, I get tons of letters from colleges, but these are the ones I've weeded out as they want me as a starter right away:

Wyoming
Nevada
SMU
San Jose State
ECU
Air Force
Miami U
UL Layfette
North Texas
Utah State
Idaho State
East Michigan

Missouri tells me I would be 7th on the depth chart. :(

#25 Boston College has me at 5th on the depth chart and Southern Miss has me at 3rd. #9 Virginia Tech has me at 6th.


Decisions, decisions.. do I go to a smaller school and at least know I'm going to get a shot at starting? Do I follow my dream to be a Missouri Tiger and work my way up with determination and work?

Maybe it would be fun to play for a ranked team, even though I might never get a chance to start?

[MizzouRah]

Right now I'm down to these 6 schools:

Boston College - 5th on the depth chart
Southern Miss - 3rd on the depth chart
Missouri - 7th on the depth chart
Wyoming - Starter
Miami University - Starter
North Texas - Starter

[MizzouRah]

#6 West Virginia calls me and tells me I would be #6 on their depth chart.

My heart tells me to just tough it out and go with my dream of playing for Missouri. Then I start thinking about playing for West Virginia or Boston College.

[Poli]

TENNESSEE!!!!!!

[MizzouRah]

TENNESSEE!!!!!!

They don't even call me. :confused:

[MizzouRah]

After lots of thought, I finally go with my gut and choose Missouri.

As I arrive on campus and get to the first practice, I see my name on the depth chart... all the way at the bottom. What did I get myself into?

Week 1 vs Illinios - it was great to wear the gold and black at home, but nothing got dirty as I watched the whole game from the sidelines and we lose, 27-17.

Week 2 at Ole Miss - (0-1) we come out with fire and as I sit and watch another game from the sidelines, I start to finally see myself playing with these guys at this level. Practice has been getting better and I've actually improved my size and speed. We win our first game of the season, 38-17.

[thealmighty]

Is there any option to redshirt yourself?

[Poli]

No offense, but you'd probably be buried in a depth chart of about 9 receivers. We signed 5 kids this spring...I believe 3 of them made the game for the regular xbox. That doesn't include the 3 juniors we had on the team or the redshirt soph who recently transferred or some senior on the game simply doesn't exist.

I can't for the life of me come up with a player who that represents.

[CraigSca]

Cool stuff, Todd! Keep it up!

[MacroGuru]

Wait...this is how it is for the 360?

If so, I am buying it just for this...

[MizzouRah]

Is there any option to redshirt yourself?

Nope, not that I have seen. :(

[MizzouRah]

No offense, but you'd probably be buried in a depth chart of about 9 receivers. We signed 5 kids this spring...I believe 3 of them made the game for the regular xbox. That doesn't include the 3 juniors we had on the team or the redshirt soph who recently transferred or some senior on the game simply doesn't exist.

I can't for the life of me come up with a player who that represents.

I heart you. :D

[MizzouRah]

Wait...this is how it is for the 360?

If so, I am buying it just for this...

YES!!!

I can't wait to get home tonight.

[Emiliano]

Nice choice Todd, starting from the bottom is always a good challenge. Love the videos!

Keep it up!!!

[MizzouRah]

Nice choice Todd, starting from the bottom is always a good challenge. Love the videos!

Keep it up!!!

Thank you!

I can't wait to upload some pics and videos of me in black and gold.. although I wouldn't hold my breath. :p

[MizzouRah]

I'm going to start a real dynasty today at some point as I still can't get onto the field yet.. but I'm itching to play a full game.

[Poli]

They don't even call me. :confused:

http://media.knoxnews.com/kns/content/img/photos/2007/07/21/0722vols1_t600.jpg
Joe Howell
Eleven wide receivers from Tennessee take a break after an early morning voluntary workout. Front row, from left, Tyler Maples, Todd Campbell, Gerald Jones and Josh Ray. Casey Woods is in the center. Back row, from left, Ahmad Paige, Quintin Hancock, Brent Vinson, Austin Rogers, Josh Briscoe, Denarius Moore, Kenny O’Neal, and Lucas Taylor.


The senior I couldn't think of...brain fart. Casey Woods. He's really just a holder, I think I've only seen him on the field for offense twice.

[MizzouRah]

Daym! That's a football team!!