I know John felt that he learned a lot of things playing football that served him well in his life. The opportunity to have an impact on others was a big part of why he went into coaching.

He taught his football players basically the same thing we do. When you're in a football game, play it one play at a time. Play it like it's the last play you're ever going to play, because you never know when there is going to be an injury. You never know what's going to happen. I think John did the same thing in his life. He lived it one day at a time and he got a lot out of it. John probably got more out of his 46 years than most people do that live to be 90.

Sharks are as tough as those football fans who take their shirts off during games in Chicago in January, only more intelligent.

We played some really good football in the first half. For the last 20 minutes, it was like the siege of the Alamo, but we defended really well.

Ryle was picked to win the district. They're very disciplined and sound on both sides of the football.

The house was huge, and the third floor actually had a room that looked out over the football field. My brothers and I always sold concessions and stuff on game days. But on the more inclement days, some people would use the room almost like a stone-age skybox. My father pretty much had an open-door policy as far as his players were concerned. My mom would cook for them, and she even mended rips in the uniforms.