Hillcrest 55 - Jerome 35

It was such a disappointment to lose the state championship football game to Hillcrest on Nov 21st. Our boys defied all logic and reason and made it to state, spoiling the Minico Spartans dream of a state title. The people in Jerome really rallied behind our team and there was great anticipation in the air of maybe yet another state football trophy to display. The last time Jerome had taken home that title was in 1986, Alan's senior year. Jerome had never played Hillcrest before but we knew from film that they passed little and ran hard.
We held our own for the first half of the game but we basically just ran out of steam the second half and could not keep up with their rushing type of offense and their tight defense. I believe that Hillcrest passed a total of 9 yards and rushed for 550 yards. In a typical game you usually rush around 250 yards. Our boys were exhausted.
Zach played a good game but he was played very tight by #34 from Hillcrest. He played on all the special teams and hardly sat out the whole game. He was so tired when the game finally ended around 11:30 p.m.
We were so grateful for all the family support that rallied behind Zach. His grandpa and grandma Leavitt were home for 6 weeks from their mission in Chile due to medical reasons so it was exciting for Leon to be able to be there. Alan's brothers Mark (from Bountiful) and Glen and his family (from Twin Falls) also attended the game. Alan's sister Laura and her husband Don, drove down from Rexburg to see Zach play. Alan's brother Bryan and his sister Carolyn's family were watching the game via internet. My parents from Clifton and my sister Angie and her family from Jerome were also there. We also had friends from nearby attend.
After the game we spent an eventful, long night in a hotel in Pocatello. Abby and Allie argued over who was taking up too much room on the mattress and who was hogging the blankets. The next day we traveled to Shelley to spend a few hours with Alan's family. His mom and dad were staying in his Aunt Charlotte's home while Jane recovered from her surgery. We had fun visiting with everyone. (His parents returned to Chile on Dec. 12th to finish out another year at the temple there.)
We hope to be playing for the state championship title again next year. Zach is already working out and preparing for a great season in 2009. Until then....