Living the Dream - The Final Chapter
 

And so when we last left our hero, he was recovering from the ravages of his injuries. Severe groin pull, Abdominal tear, Hairline fracture in his collar bone, and father time himself, pulling, prodding, and poking at a litany of aches and pains just to let him know that he was no longer young.

But injuries would heal if given time. And time was what he wished to give them. He had to prepare for his second to last semester of college. He had to prepare birthday parties for his two young daughters. He had to work long hours to save money to pay for this dream. He had to say goodbye to both his grandmother’s in the span of one month. He had many things to do to prepare for his last year in a football uniform.

And so almost ten months have past since he played on the team’s first conference championship in school history. What has transpired? What can we expect?

Well, for starters, he agreed to another year on the defensive line. Last season he bulked up to between 230-235 pounds and found out that, though he was quicker than the immense linemen in front of him, if they were ever to get a hold of him, he would not be very effective. So, the past 7 months we has worked out and reported in camp at 250 pounds, much to the happiness of the coaching staff.

He received his much coveted conference championship ring. (Picture provided on further date). His head coach was featured as one of the 80 hot coaches for 2005 in the August edition of American Football Monthly. The remarkable climb of Tabor College football from obscurity to respectability took the ultimate step last Friday at the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference annual media day at the Salina Country Club. The defending KCAC champions were picked by both coaches and media as the team to beat in the race for this season's crown-marking the first time in school history that the Bluejays are the preseason favorite. The Bluejays are pre-season #1 in the KCAC and #19 in the NAIA national preseason polls.

But like all the realities of life, not all is gold. Not only with the passing of both his grandmother’s within a month of each other in August and September. His youngest daughter is ready to attend pre-school. He and his wife agree that this is very important. But in Kansas, it cost 800 dollars a month. Attach the cost of daycare for the youngest daughter, and you have a situation where his wife’s salary alone will not provide the income needed to make it to March when he graduates. So, they made the toughest decision he and his wife have ever made. They moved the kids and the wife to her family in Arkansas, where pre-school is free, and her mother can watch the youngest for free, and his wife can work. This means that he will only see his family on weekends, and this has been very hard for him to accept. But, because this is only for four months, they decided it could be done.

And so, next Saturday, the new and for him, last season begins. Your humble correspondent will try to do as he did last season. Provide you with weekly updates and my amateur attempts at video highlights. Because of the outrageous fuel prices, it is unknown if I can attend the same number of games this year,

For those interested, I can answer whatever questions you have.

Glad to see you've decided to still update us. :) Maybe being away from his family will give him even more motivation to kick some tail, though from what I've read, he seems already motivated.

The annual Saturday before the season starts scrimmage.
Email update from Clay:

"2 sacks & 1 tackle for loss on a screen play. We got a kid named Jenkins that will be an absolute stud this season at Wr...a legitimate 4.4 with great hands and feet. He juked Jake Shenk, and 2 other guys on his way to a 75 yard TD. Roger busted open a 80 yard TD run that was reminiscent of Emmit Smith, it was awesome, but against 2nd team. I'm on KO return right in front of the return men, I might get to return a squib this season. No pain in groin or shoulder, and it looks like all the hard work this summer rehabbing paid off. Only one injury on the team, a groin pull for a 3rd team CB. We would beat our last years team by 50 points, no lie. We have a legitimate 5 wide set with OUTSTANDING receivers, and 2 defensive line fronts that have no drop off in talent. It looks very promising."

Good to hear back from him, i'll be following for sure.

Its great to see this again this year, last year's was easily my favorite dynasty ever.

It'd be interesting to see how much Tabor's improved from last years great run...

Big question mark is the secondary once again it seems to me. God, what it must feel like to get to play one last time....

Exactly. 'nuff said.

Awesome, go Tabor!

You all should try to "spec script" this story. It would translate great to a movie.

Best dynasty read, by default. :)

Regarding the potential for a movie - this would make a great documentary as well. One of the guys who made "The Last Game" (which I highly recommend - it's one of those documentaries where you'd have a hard time believing it if it weren't true) used to be my neighbor and this would be right up their alley. Unfortunately, he moved to Australia. :(

I made an 11 DVD set for each member of my family at Christmas from last years season. I had some custom work done on the box.
I had alot of good footage, but it was all done with my cheesy Sony DV camcorder. Ok for home movies, but it didn't really give it that feel it needs for a documentary. I wish someone would do one, it has had it's share of drama, and all considered, it has a ways to go. One thing I wanted to do was mic him up for at least one game while I was recording. I bought a wireless mic but, I am not sure I want to mess with it.

And in the latest news....

He will be wearing lucky #13

They play KWU and the QB is a transfer from Iowa. Should be a good game. I leave out Friday afternoon for my weekly long drives.

I'm so glad to hear this is back for another year!

Weekly tasks:

1) Read post game comments on Georgia Tech game.
2) Read post game comments on Falcons game.
3) Read post game comments on Tabor game. GO CLAY!!!!
4) Kiss wife, tell her I love her.

For those with a Saturday night to kill - they have a Live Webcast and live radio on the website at KSU.

Link - http://www.kwu.edu/athletics/football/

32-13 Win.

Clay suffered an LCL sprain, but finished the game. Other than some soreness and swelling, he should be fine.

1) Try to remember if Georgia Tech even has a football team.
2) Try as best as possible to avoid the message board diarrhea about the Falcons.
3) Definitely read post game comments on Tabor. GO CLAY!
4) Kiss wife, etc.

Excellent news. Will there be a more detailed report forthcoming?

Oh yeah, I just crawled in from the drive. The downside of going to his games is that the Texas/OSU game was being played at exactly the same time Saturday night. My brother in law was text messaging updates, but I missed it. And driving in all day today I miss all the NFL games. The high price of brotherhood.

This game featured a four hour marathon of penalties. 17 for Tabor, and 11 for KWU. But despite this, the balanced offense of Tabor was enough to put the game away by the third period. A couple of touchdowns by newcomer starters TJ Jackson and Sage Hemmert were a real nice surprise. A kid named Jenkins just flew by the secondary, speed like Tabor has never had, but couldn't catch the passes in his hands. Hopefully, he will get it together because he has some real wheels.

Tabor looked pretty good in all areas, they should have a nice year if they keep it together. Clay's knee is bruised and he told me today he is not going to get an MRI, as it really does not hurt. Looks like he will play in Colorado this Saturday.

I put together a little video. I didn't video much so I apologize.

TABOR VS KWU 9-10-05

What position is Clay playing this year? DT, DE? Or does one just say "DL" and leave it at that because that's the nature of the game at this level?

Has the bulking up helped him at all with the opposing O-Linemen this year?

He really is DT, though some defensive sets have him lined up at end and even falling back as a LB on passing down sometimes.

The jury is still out on whether bulking up will help. He made it through the line pretty quickly Saturday night, but I am wondering if the added weight had anything to do with his knee.

Brandon, I sincerely wish I could join you at the game this Saturday but my wife and I are going up to Denver for the day and then a Keith Urban concert at Red Rocks. We haven't done something like this in many years and she's really forward to it.

Red Rocks is awesome, have a good time. There is still an outside chance I won't make the flight to Colorado because of work, anyway.

Webcast versus Colorado College at 2pm CST.

Victory - 66-30.

CC scored 2 back to back TD's against some 3rd and 4th teamers. Nice win.

2-0.

Thumbs up!! Hopefully this allowed Clay and some of the others to take it easy and keep a little fuel in the tank for later in the year.

Dola - Suggestion: Edit your first post to include a link to the most awesome Living the Dream thread from last year. Late comers shouldn't be cheated from experiencing the beginnings of this tremendous story.

Jonesin' for an update Senator. Hopefully you can bring us up to speed after the weekend.

Trirol updated in the other thread. Copying here.

Thanks for the re-direct Buzz...

This is a very cool story. How did I miss it? Best of luck, he is giving hope to me, I can't imagine trying this at my age, especially with the kids and family. I know it must be hard for him. Give him my best regards.

For those following this thread, I apologize for not keeping it updated and active. My own personal life has been a whirlwind the past 2 months. My job has had me scooting back and forth to Washington DC and burning the midnight oil.

The Tabor team is playing like they have never played. They are 8-0, just like last year, with two games remaining before the playoffs. The last two weeks have been sluggish victories, and one cannot but remember last year when they were 8-0 and lost in overtime to ruin the perfect regular season. No team has ever won 10 games in the KCAC, and history is right in front of them. This Saturday, they play Friends University, who won 50-27 Saturday, and will be on a mission to ruin the Tabor dream season. If they can win out the next 2 weeks, (they are currently ranked #8 in the NAIA, the first time in school history to be in the top 10) they will draw a team in the playoffs that they might actually compete with. That would be the greatest exclamation point to Clay's career.

As for Clay, he is doing well. His playing time has been cut in half, and he is in rotation, sometimes the starter, sometimes coming in every other series. His health is good, he has some nice stats, and he was named defensive player of the week in the game against Bethany. He misses his wife and kids horribly, but we are almost done, and he can go on to coaching and another chapter in his life. I know I should have been better at making this more of a dynasty and less a summary, but I hope now that you know events have intruded, you will forgive me. And so concludes my 2000th post.

I'm just glad with whatever updates you give us. Last year's thread and this thread are my favorite dynasties.

With the 33-22 win over Friends today coupled with the 18-10 win by Sterling over Kansas Wesylen, Tabor goes 9-0 and wins their second KCAC Championship. Two years, two rings on a team that never had one in a hundred years. My brother is the luckiest person I ever met.

Fun with audio:

Sanders Family Shout Out

KCAC BACK TO BACK CHAMPIONS

I just finished to read this. What an amazing story.

Tell your brother that I really admire him; and also congratulations for the back-to-back conference championship!!!

Three Woots! for Tabor.

So ... who wants to buy the book rights to this story? ;)

Senator --- Just got back from the long drive - what a neat ride your bro and my son has been on - two young Texans in totally different spots in their lives, yet has this experience to share for the rest of their lives! - like you said TWO seasons Two Rings! I think my son might think the rest of his life would be this fruitful from here on out ... congrats TABOR

trirol,

Congrats to your son. He has another 2 years to keep it going. My brother is quite ready I think at this point to say this itch to play has been satisfied, and now it will be off to the coaching ranks somewhere in Texas.

Still need to get a playoff win to make it perfect.

Week #10 is upon us as Tabor tries for it's first undefeated season in school history. This week is the St. Mary Spires, who have not allowed a touchdown in 12 quarters - 3 games for you math wizards out there. True to form, Tabor wins it 43-8 and goes 10-0 and finishes #6 in the country. (naia country, that is).

What a great year. Clay and the rest of the seniors who are leaving wanted to go out strong. He told me before the game he was leaving nothing in the tank and he played, in my opinion his best game ever at Tabor. Below are a few audio highlights. Also, we wait for tonights release of who we will play in the playoffs. Looking forward to making up for last years drubbing from Sioux Falls.

AUDIO 1
AUDIO 2
AUDIO 3

Man, if they could win the playoffs - what a storybook ending to Clay's playing days. Do they have a shot, or are they going in as underdogs?

3ric, We are all waiting for the pairings. As you know, 16 teams makes it from the 114 teams in the NAIA and independents. They are ranked but for some reason, financial I have heard, the #1 team does not play #16, so that ranked #6 as we are, we have no idea who we play. Rumors are swirling that we will host a game, but not at Tabor stadium. The NAIA wants a bigger venue, so Tabor is supposed to host it 30 miles away at Cessna Stadium in Wichita, Kansas. The teams rumored to be matched with us are Evangel from Missouri, and the Heart of America Conference. They are 8-2, and a team I think we might match up with here. The other rumor is to play Azusa Pacific from California, and an independent. They are very, very good, and very dangerous. Last year they went all the way to the semi-finals in the playoffs, losing by a touchdown to the eventual national champs. They play the best division II schools and have lost 3 games but early in the season and to higher division schools. If we had to play them, I would not like our chances. These are all guesses, we willl know the matchups here in an hour and half.

Pikeville College (Ky.) (7-2) at University of St. Francis (Ind.) (10-0), noon (Eastern)
Geneva College (Pa.) (8-3) at Georgetown College (Ky.) (8-2), 1:30 p.m. (Eastern)
University of Sioux Falls (S.D.) (9-1) at St. Xavier University (Ill.) (9-2), noon (Central)
Evangel University (Mo.) (8-2) at McKendree College (Ill.) (8-2), 1 p.m. (Central)
St. Ambrose University (Iowa) (8-2) at Morningside College (Iowa) (10-0), 1 p.m. (Central),
Dickinson State University (N.D.) (7-3) at Carroll College (Mont.) (10-0), 12:05 (Mountain)
Graceland University (Iowa) (9-2) at Tabor College (Kan.) (10-0), 1:30 p.m. (Central) (Cessna Stadium in Wichita, Kan.)
Montana Tech of the University of Montana (8-3) at Azusa Pacific University (Calif.) (6-3), 6 p.m. (Pacific)

Well, we pulled Graceland. Despite being #6, I think we all agree that whomever we played, we would be in an underdog role. The conference Tabor is in has not won a playoff game in over a decade. What little I know of Graceland is that they have a great offense, run a 5 wide receiver set, and throw, throw, throw. Crap. Not the best of matchups. Maybe our front guys can pressure the QB. Clay and the gang are really going to have their hands full next Saturday.

Lemme see here ... I know this isn't what they use for seeding but just for curiosity, naiafootball.net media poll would have this as
#17 @ #1
#11 @ #6
#4 @ #7
#12 @ #2
#10 @ #9
#13 @ #3
#14 @ #8
#16 @ #5

(media poll #15 Walsh didn't get an invite)
The real obvious oddity, based on the media poll at least, is sending Sioux Falls on the road in the first round. Is there a stadium issue there or just a big difference in how the media poll vs coaches poll ranks them, or ?

edit to add: After finishing this post I found what I believe is the coaches poll (http://naia.collegesports.com/sports...111305aac.html) which I believe is involved in the invitation process.
It ranks them as:
1)Carroll (hosts #15 Dickinson)
2)St.Francis (hosts #13 Pikeville)
3)Morningside (hosts #14 St.Ambrose)
4)Sioux Falls
5)Georgetown (hosts #16 Geneva)
6)Tabor (hosts #12 Graceland)
7)St. Xavier (hosts #4 Sioux Falls)
8)McKendree (hosts #10 Evangel)
9)Azusa Pac. (hosts #11 Montana Tech)
10)Evangel
11)Montana Tech
12) Graceland
13)Pikeville
14)St.Ambrose
15)Dickinson State
16)Geneva

So, I see the difference that accounts for Geneva instead of Walsh, but Sioux Falls does appear to have gotten hosed a bit in the pairings. Looking them over, I suspect they use a sort of "kinda seeded, kinda regional" approach to the matchups?

And, just to add a little color & flavor to the thread, here's the pic that is on the page announcing the pairings :)

Ricky Ishida of Tabor College (Kan.) hopes to lead the Bluejays to the KCAC's first playoff win in more than a decade.

I am guessing that Sioux Falls did not want to plunk down the 24K required to host a game. They are building a huge new stadium and facilities I heard, and I guess they thought they would take their chances on the road. If Tabor wins, I am pretty sure they would not pay for another hosting this year.

I have heard that Sioux Falls feels good about any team they would play in round 1. They are banking on winning round 1 and then paying for the hosting.

Clay is already at the field house watching film.

another long drive! but well worth the hassle! Clay had a monster game! so at least one more game for Clay and the Jays this season, this time at Cessna Stadium against a Graceland team that supposedly has a SCARY passing game - has a 5-wide set that is lethal! Plano to Wichita is a shorter drive than to Hillsboro --- I know my bones welcome the shorter drive --- Go JAYS!

A preview from someone in the other conference:

Graceland lost those two games because of turnovers.
Anytime you put your defense in bad situations, you're going to lose.

Secondly, Butler can't hold DeDe Dorsey or Demetric Phillips's jocks. Sorry dudes, but it's the truth.

Thirdly, (Is that a word?) anyway, Lindenwood, Evangel, MNU, Valley, William Jewell, Benedictine, and SOuthern Nazarene are all better football teams than any team Tabor has faced all season long. I think it's futile to compare what Tabor can do by looking at Lindenwood and Evangel. Evangel should be 11-0 and Lindenwood simply choked against Culver and Olivet Nazarene, otherwise they would be 10-1. Those two squad are clearly more talented than Evangel and better football teams.

HAAC schools have won 11 out of the last 12 matchups with KCAC schools. The last time a KCAC team beat a HAAC school was in 2002 when Kansas Wesleyan beat an 0-11 Graceland squad.

Doppelganger, it is absolutely futile to believe Tabor can establish any kind of running game or that they will shut down G-land's offense.
The only way Tabor wins this game is if Graceland pisses down their leg and turns the football over three or four times.

Other than that, this game is a mismatch.

You could make a great argument that Graceland's offense is actually more talented than Sioux Falls.

Their o-line is gigantic and talented with transfers from Missouri Southern and South Dakota. It's 6'4 300 across the board and it seriously looks and plays like D-II offensive line.
Clayton Braddock has passed for 2,500 yards with 25 TD's and 6 Int's, and he's been sacked all of 9 times.
Braddock was 1st Team All State in Texas 5A back in 2002 out of Grand Prairie, TX.
Wideout Anthony Ferguson has D-I ability and D-I speed. He's caught 65 balls for 1,046 yards and 14 TD's. He will be a mismatch for any DB of Tabor. GU's other receivers are big, fast, and more athletic than any wideouts in the KCAC.
GU's tight end is Eric Boatwright, a 6'5 255 lb. transfer from Boston College, where he played quarterback.
GU will also use their backup QB, Geary Davenport in the backfield, at QB, and at WR. Davenport can run and pass. He'll run the QB counter or the Speed Option out of the shotgun, and when he throws the football it's usually on a trick play.

Defensively, Graceland is very strong and quick. Just out of curiosity, when is 107 yards rushing per game considered a big amount? I do think a playoff team will run on the Jackets, and that will eventually lead to their downfall in the playoffs. However, Tabor will not run on them at all.
The best run defense in the KCAC is Ottawa. I know what kind of front seven they have, Graceland's D-Line and Linebackers are far superior to Ottawa's d-line.
Butler ran for 70 odd yards against OU, he will have less success against the Jackets.
GU's d-line with Ron Strozyk, a transfer from Eastern Washington, Dominique Randle El, Antwan's cousin at 6'1 300lbs, and Wayne Johnson a 6'5 260 lb. D-end will give Tabor's o-line their toughest matchup of the season.
GU's linebackers are fast and physical led by Nathan Bennett and Manny Espinoza. Their DB's will support the run extremely well and they're a lot bigger than your average KCAC DB.

I'm not trying to talk trash or rag on Tabor, but trust me, this is a bad matchup.

Gardner must put together his best gameplan ever. He also must force Graceland to turn the football over.

Key's for Tabor:

1. Force turnovers
2. Avoid the big play- GU goes for knockout punches, and home runs all of the time
3. Avoid an early deficit- this one goes hand in hand with #2
4. Use the playoff experience to your advantage- Tabor has been there twice, GU hasn't been there at all. That does give Tabor a slight advantage.
5. Avoid turnovers- Tabor has to finish atleast +4 to win this game.

It'd be damn incredible if Tabor could pull off the upset.

Go this little text message from Clay around lunchtime - "Let's finish the game Doc, let's finish the game."
This is our "code" as our wives call it for getting pumped up for something big we have to do. It is from the horrible Young Guns movie, but we have always used it as a sort of shorthand to say, "I need to get this done!!". I am sure he is hyped up as he ever has been, now that we know that this might be his last game ever as a player.

Most people feel Tabor is about a 20 point underdog. That sounds about right to me. I was pretty close on the score last year, but this team is different. I think they have the heart to keep it close.

Good luck to Clay and the Tabor boyz!!

The big game is tomorrow at 1:30CST. I will be driving out with the family around 5:30am tomorrow morning for Wichita, Kansas. If anyone wants to listen to the game, I will put the link below. Even if they win, this will probably be the last game I get to see him play. This has been lots of fun.

TABOR VS GRACELAND 1:30 PM CST - NAIA PLAYOFF GAME

And the dream continues :)

(Tense as all get out listening to the final 20 minutes or so)

17-14 victory!! Incredible.

It was a great game, and now Clay has had every dream realized. I am still in shock they won. Wow.

I got to meet trirol after the game, whose son plays for Tabor as well. He is a super nice guy, and it was great getting to meet him. I think we were both in a little shock we had won.

Next up, are you ready for this? Tabor travels to Sioux Falls all over again like last year to play. Tabor has made the Final Eight.

OLATHE, Kan. - The pairings for the quarterfinal round of the 2005 NAIA Football Championships Series are listed below. Each round is paired after the completion of the previous round as no bracket is predetermined. Semifinal teams will be paired on Sunday, December 3. Quarterfinal games will be played on November 26.

Quarterfinal Pairings - Saturday, November 26: (listed in chronological order)
#5 Georgetown (10-2) at #2 St. Francis (11-0), noon (Eastern)
#6 Tabor (11-0) at #4 Sioux Falls (10-1), noon (Central)
#10 Evangel (9-2) at #3 Morningside (11-0), 1 p.m. (Central)
#11 Montana Tech (9-3) at #1 Carroll (11-0), 12:05 (Mountain)

Absolutely as much fun as I've had following a game all year (I tuned in the radio broadcast about midway through the 3rd quarter) ... a real antacid chewer & I don't even know these guys, I can only begin to imagine how bad it was for the families. Heck, my wife was even yelling upstairs to get updates after I explained the scenario.

Great job by the Bluejays, just another installment on the best dynasty thread ever.

Woooo!!! Great to hear.

wOOt!!!

I hate to be spoiled and selfish, but you wouldn't happen to have any video or audio, would you?

Awesome, amazing, incredible! I wonder what the dude from Post #49 has to say now? :D

He says he called it. Tabor was +4 in turnovers, and he says that was the only way we win. Nice covering of yourself.

I actually have the audio. I scheduled to record it from my PC when I was in Kansas, so I have it on audio. The file is big, let me see what I can do.

I just got back from the Paul McCartney concert. This has been a very cool two days. When you have some bad days to compare it to, when days like this come around, I think you really cherish them.

As Senator posted what a win! My face was hurting from the cold and the stupid smile that I couldn't wipe off my face after the win - it was bitter sweet for my son - he would have loved the opportunity to be on the field with his teammates, but he did not make the 52 man play-off squad, he made last year's playoff squad - but it was the first time in a long time my son and I were in the stands watching a sporting event together - I dont know yet if I'm going up to Sioux Falls again...the driving has really been hard this year physically and financially - last year's plane tickets were an early X'mas gift my wife and I gave to ourselves - it'll be a difficult decision even if he is activated for the game...I do hope the Magic continues at least one more game, just to avenge last year's loss -

Wo-hoo! Go Tabor!

The game Saturday features the same three players from Sioux Falls that did the most damage to us last year. QB - Wright - RB Dvorka - WR Hovorka. Last year I said that the WR could have 200 yards and 4 tds against us. While he did his damage, the offensive line and RB was what tore us up with ease. I was hoping those three had graduated, but I find that they did not. Rats.

Sioux Falls is a very long trip - even on a plane... uggh.

In accordance with my brother and I long standing geek motivational techniques, I called his cell phone and left the screaming voice of the dad from Red Dawn screaming "AVENGE ME BOYS - AVENGE ME!!!!". No 72-11 this year. I say we give them a run for the money this year. But let us be honest. They are about twice as good as Graceland, and we only won by 3.

AM Snow Showers

High: 28°
Low: 17

Just got a call from Clay. They arrived by bus in Sioux Falls at midnight last night. They have been watching film all week, and they have a walk through today at 3pm CST.

He thinks the big difference between last year and this, is the offensive line they had is gone. He thinks they can stop the run, and the secondary had to defend quads against Graceland, and Sioux Falls runs a 2 receiver 1 tight end set. He thinks they can win, of course, and who am I to think they can't. I wish I was going.

TABOR VS SIOUX FALLS - THE LAST GAME OR REVENGE SERVED Game Time 12:00 CST

Sioux Falls 20 -5 at half.

Sioux Falls scored 14 points in the first 2 minutes of the game, and then Tabor stiffened and drove the ball, but missed 2 field goals. On a shuttlepass that was incomplete, they called it a Tabor fumble, and Sioux Falls scored - 20-3. On the extra point Tabor blocked it, and returned it for 2 points. 20-5 at half. Tabor needs to get in the endzone.

DOLA:

I hate excuses. Don't believe in them. But, this official crew seems really bad. But, that is part of the game sometimes as well. You have to deal with it.

40-13 now in the 4th. 5 turnovers for Tabor. Horvorka at WR just continues to amaze. 3TDS.

Well, all things must come to an end, and so does this magnificent tale. I give my brother tremendous respect for living his dream, and he will be a better person for it. He gets to finish his education as well, and now go on and coach other young men with the things he learned from a successful program.

Thanks again this year for all the support, you guys are really great, with your own busy lives to show interest in this small story means alot to me.

Who knows, I might just toss aside the business world, and go coach with my brother at some little high school in west Texas. Who knows.

Rats, what a sad way to see it come to an end.

This has been the best dynasty i have read, even more knowing it's true not fictional about a game. Big congrats to your brother for what he has done.
Now i'm waiting for a future dynasty from your brother as coach, and as you said who knows, maybe you both together. You could also tell him to come to this thread and post at least once, we really admire him and his wife for being as supportive.

Now that the season is over, tell Clay to sign up for an account on FOFC and give us a chapter autobiography of the last 2 years of his life...at his own pace, of course. (Better copyright it, though, or some Hollywood prick will make the movie before y'all do).

Thank you for sharing this story with us. Best ever on this board, as ICy stated.

*stands and applauds*

A note to Clay:

I've never met you. I've never even met your brother. Yet I am proud of you as if you were my brother. Stand tall and be proud of what you have done. Hold your chin high, but don't forget to lower it every once in a while to look around at those who held you up.

Yours is a great story, but don't let it end there. No matter what you do, tackle it with the same fervor, the same determination, and the same toughness. You have proven that you can do what you set your mind to so use that knowledge to push for even greater things. Congratulations to you, and wishes for all the best for you and your family.

A note to Brandon:

Thank you for sharing this story. I am better for having followed it.

This story deserves to be published in book format.

I think it might have to wait considering he still has [url="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0595142060/002-0828120-9252056?v=glance&n=283155&s=books&v=glance"]]this book and a book about Texas HS football on the way (is that still true?).

It'd be worth the wait. This has definitely been a story that deserves a wider audience than a 'net forum.

My respect & congratulations to Clay for living the dream, as well as to his family & all those who helped make it possible. And my gratitude to Brandon for sharing it with us.

It would be a good story, but I am not so sure Clay wants "just everybody" knowing about his wrong choices all along the way. It sure ended up being much more of a story than I ever thought it could be. When it started, all I was wondering was if he could make the team, not knowing he had attached himself onto something very special.

This is a great Story Brandon.....And I agree with many others when I say this deserves a wider forum. Stories like your brothers are the truly good and inspirational tales that get far too little attention in this World.

I talked to him last night, and who knows, I might put something together, if he wants to fill in the gaps for me.

The Sioux Falls game against #1 Carroll is live on the internet - TV Style.

Lots of snow...

CSTV LIVE COVERAGE SIOUX FALLS VS CARROLL

Go just below the picture in the middle of the page where you see:

NAIA Semifinal: All-Access Free View LIVE NOW!

Just to close this up. Here is the live coverage of the NAIA championship. You can either watch it live on CSTV or the free stream here:

#1 Carroll vs #2 St. Francis - NAIA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Tabor head coach resigned ---
http://www.naiafootball.net/article.php?articleID=1384
http://www.malone.edu/5170

Now is time for Clay to take that coaching job :)

He has been interviewing the past month at several schools in Texas, and two NAIA colleges. One school here in Texas has really been after him, and I bet he ends up coaching there.

I've been reading all along, but forgot to post after this. Really, we should be thanking you for sharing this amazing story.

Does that give you an idea?

Senator - I was reading an article in the Dalas Morning News last month regarding Baylors new head coach --- and I see a bunch of similiraties with the colonel... i'll try to send you a copy if stumble upon it again

make that Baylor's new Offensive Coordinator ---

http://baylorbears.collegesports.com...ays_lee00.html

Ben Brown, the starting fullback for Tabor College in the NAIA has signed as a FA with the Green Bay Packers. The first player since Bay Lawrence in the
70's to sign with an NFL team from Tabor.

And also wanted to add, that my brother has been offered a coaching positon at a 3A school south of Houston. He is "probably" going to take it, but I shouldn't say where until it happens. He is really getting to do what he wanted to do in life, and it was all by taking a risk.

That's so awesome! I'm so happy for your brother. :)

Good news, i really hope we can get a coaching dynasty soon :)

I wanted to add some postscripts to this long dead thread.

Ben Brown, who is just a great guy, and who really deserves this shot, is getting some attention from the Packers.

http://www.packers.com/team/players/brown_ben/

And if you go to www.packers.com, I cannot believe I see at the very top a picutre of a guy from Tabor College. Unbelievable.

And we is the article.

http://packers.com/news/stories/2006/05/11/1/

Clay is now the defensive lines coach for Brookshire Royal in district 24-3A. He has been there for a few weeks, and has his family moved in and settled.

Also, while he was at Tabor he made some extra cash playing country, and sure enough, someone liked him enough to get him a record deal and video shoot. Clay is a real trip.

Here is the video - CLICK HERE

Congrats to Clay on the new job(s)!