Catty Wampus (Season Four, Game 3.2 . . . or 5)

So it was 6-0 late in the first half of Emi's return encounter with Coach Dwight & Co. when lightning struck. I thought they were just going to play the second half after the next week's game, but they decided to run the whole game over. When I spoke to Emilio on the phone afterwards, he told me "I have a new name: Catty Wampus." Apparently, Coach Dwight had come up with a strategy to stop Emilio that included holding back on defense and having someone cover him the whole time. "Catty Wampus!" or "Cover Catty Wampus!" was code for "cover Emilio."  Apparently, it helped. Why "Catty Wampus," you ask? No idea.

#1 is a sneaker.  Notice the other fields are empty.  Emilio is quite excited about his first in this game.  He even goes for a two-fist salute.  But after quickly resuming his spot, he either regains composure or expresses some fatigue.

One minute later, Emi pounces on the kickoff, but soon loses his shoe and Big Red takes advantage. 1-1.

Four minutes later, Emi takes a kickoff in for his second. Does this mean the score is 2-2?

Nice clear and a strong kick.

I love the way Emi jumps up after hitting the post and soon ends up with another shot on goal.  Good job by Emory in the Blue goal.

Close call.  The Big Red defense is strong.

Tyler scores for the Dragons.

Great shot from way out off the far post which gets in just before Tristan can get to it. That's #3 for Emi.

Two minutes later:  #4.
When I called at halftime, Emi told me the score was 5-2. Apparently, Emilio sat for the third quarter and the score, by the time he came in was 7-6 us.  That seems like a lot of scoring to me, but . . . I wasn't there.

Great pounce. #5 at the other end.

Two minutes later, Emi gets bonked on the head.  He's all smiles, but his mami is concerned . . . and loses track of her documentary duties.  Emi scores, but we don't see it. #6.

Great slalom following a kick-off and a finish with the left:  #7. This one is the highlight of the day in my book.

Amazing intercept score:  #8.  And I love the nod to mom at the end.

This is not a score, but I dig the spin move. Coach Brian encourages Emi to pass the ball; he does . . . and then swoops around behind the pass-ee--just in case he doesn't control it.

The final score, I'm told, was 9-6. Emi scored 8. Considering that it was 6-0 at halftime a couple of weeks ago against the same team, that's quite an endorsement of the Catty Wampus Defense, but in the end, Catty Wampus laughs last. Next week is a Fall Break bye.