Two great soccer games this week, both away games, for Balboa's team and both wins by the identical score of 3-1. Aidan had an assist in the second game and turned in one of his best performances ever.
Now it's virtually certain his team will make the playoffs for the third time in his four years of high school -- something that has not happened at this particular high school for a long, long time -- apparently decades.
They've won twice as many games as they've lost over those four years, a great record.
This year has been the most improbable of all. After losing their first three games, plus their head coach, who suddenly resigned, left the school, and never even said goodbye to his players, the team regrouped and won six, tied another and lost just one more of the next eight games.
Now they are down to the final regular season game next Tuesday, against a weak team. Win that and they will finish 7-4-1.
The co-captains, four seniors, including Aidan, deserve a lot of credit. As is the case with high school sports, they are expected to be leaders. they speak in meetings, huddles, at halftimes, before and after games.
On the field they direct play, helping position the younger players and back them up when they make mistakes.
The playoff slots go to the top six teams this year. Balboa looks to have a lock on fourth, fifth or sixth place, depending how the final round of contests turn out.
Then, they will have to win three more games to win the city championship.
Driving back from yesterday's game, my son and his best friend and co-captain laughed and celebrated the win and fantasized on just how cool it would be if they win the championship their senior year.
That's something Balboa has not accomplished in many decades.
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