The Blake Gang: Football University (FBU) Team Utah

A month or so ago, Parker got asked to come and "try out" for an "Elite Allstar" football team. We were just getting ready to go to Mesquite, NV for a football tournament with our awesome Herriman team and just kept putting it off saying "let's get through Mesquite first". He was contacted by a few different people and asked to come but he kept saying he wasn't sure he wanted to and we just kept putting it off. The day before we left for Mesquite the Coach of the FBU Utah team talked to Chris and asked him to please at least come to practice that night and "check it out". Parker agreed but was still a bit "wishy washy". Well, the cold weather came that night and we were notified that that practice was cancelled. That was the last I thought about it ... until we were in Mesquite. After winning our second game in Mesquite, a gentleman came up to Parker and I and asked me if I was his Mom. I said "Yes" and he asked where his Dad was. He then proceeded to introduce himself to me as the "FBU Scout" that had been contacting Chris. He talked to us a little while longer and then told us he was anxious to have Parker come "give the team a try". Well, when we got home Parker, again, decided that he wanted a bit of a break and decided he would pass on the FBU Team. Fast forward a few days ... Chris continues to get emails from the Coach so Parker agrees to go to a practice to see what it is like. That afternoon he comes home from school and tells me that he doesn't want to go (yes, a wishy washy teenager that can't make up his mind). So .. Mom thinks it is a done deal and it is over. Little did I know that at 9:30 that night his phone would begin to "blow up" with phone calls and text messages from people asking why he wasn't there and "come on, just come check it out". Soooo .. we took him up there the next day and Football season was no longer over for the Blake family.
He was able to attend a few practices with the team before loading up on a bus and heading out to Concord, CA to represent the Utah 8th Graders. They beat Reno in their first round and, despite being the underdog, finished with a win against Sacramento (who was slated 3rd in that regions age bracket). That means, on to the Regional playoffs for the West next weekend in Sacramento, CA. We will play Seattle first and then play for the Western region championship. From there, the winners from the 4 regions meet in San Antonio, TX to play in the Alamodome for the National title.
It is an awesome opportunity and I am so excited for him to get to be a part of it. For a team that was together only a few short weeks, I think they rock to be even where they are now. The tournament started with 48 and we are now in the top 16 playing for a spot in the final four. Go Team Utah!!!

You can follow the "Road to the Championship" brackets at www.fbunc.com if you are interested. :)