Long Weekend in Morgantown WV

We returned a week ago from Morgantown where we visited Brendan, Eileen and the kids.  Tom and Sarah came over from Virginia which was a special treat.  We were there for the opening of high school soccer and 11-12 year-old football.  Nobody lost and all three played great.

This is a big year for Braden.  She is a senior this year and captain.  Last year she was named Midfielder of the Year in West Virginia as she and her teammates stormed to the West Virginia Girls Championship.  They only lost a couple of players from that team and figure to make a lot of noise this year.  I have already made my hotel reservations for the state finals in early November.

You can see a lot of photos of Braden's play in their first game which they won 6-0 by clicking here to go the photo album.  This also includes several animated photos.  You can also view them all in a five minute video above.  You can also click here to go to the YouTube channel directly.

This year we get to see two West Virginia Picketts playing high school soccer because Brock began his freshman year at University High.  He is not only on the varsity boys soccer
roster but is starting.  This is a team that also went to the state finals last year but lost the final game.  With only one field player graduating, it looks to be another powerful team.  Surprisingly, however, there are at least three freshmen starting this year which gives you some idea of the talent in this first year group.  They were down two goals with about 10 minutes to go but came back and tied 4-4 against a strong team.  Since then they won their matches and Brock scored his first high school goal.

You can click here to view the photo album.  And you click here to go directly to the YouTube eight minute video or just click the video above to play it in this page.

After a full day of soccer, we all went to see Brady open his football season.  He is the starting fullback and defensive end.  He played a game at both positions.  Here is an animated series showing him converting a two point conversion on a classic fullback dive where he blows through two defenders who find themselves on their back in the end zone.

Here is another where he hurries and just misses sacking he quarterback.

You can click here to view the photo album with all the photos and several animations and two videos.

You can click here to view the YouTube video of all the photos.

We left right after the game and got back to Rochester in time for dinner at home.

INJURY REPORT:  In his second game this past Sunday, he also was playing at an extremely high level with five or six unassisted tackles and another extra point conversion.  Unfortunately on that play, he suffered fractures of both bones in his fore arm.  He will be out at least six weeks and thus will miss most of the season but could be ready for the league playoffs.  He will attend all practices and be on the sidelines as the good teammate that he is.  As grandparents, we wish he loved another sport but he just loves this game...and baseball, his first love...we hope.