When you're expected to dominate the opponent, but you and your team get full of yourselves, and they knock you off

[ScWildthing61]

Who on here in your sports career has fallen victim to this?

When I was a senior in high school we went on the road to play a rival school from a neighboring county. We had beaten this opponent multiple times in a row and were about a two touchdown favorite going into the game. We were expected to go in there impose our will, throw 'em around some, get on the bus head home with our victory business as usual.

Our problem was we were a little too convinced it was going to go that way, we were joking around during the pregame and the stretching, interacting with the crowd too much, and I remember seeing some of the players on the other side getting more and more pissed off watching us disrespect their field and fans like that.

Game starts and they come out taking it to us. Finally late 2nd quarter early 3rd quarter it dawns on us "we better start playing ball or we're going to get embarrassed!" Well they're confident enough by this point that they take our best shots and don't flinch, they hang on and we end up going down 24-21.

That bus ride home was one of "shut the #€££ up or you might get thrown off while the bus is moving" never seen the coaches more angry. That monday practice was not so much a practice as a study in survival. I dont know how future teams there approached games where they were big favorites, but that was the last time we did that.

 

[Tngamecock]

Similar story. Undefeated 4A team my senior year ranked #1 in SC all year long. Playingfor the upper state championship and the next week would be at Willy B playing for a state title. We were a lock and had dominated all year. We were a yearly powerhouse. The team we played for the right to go to the state title game was rarely in the playoffs and historically a losing program but were having a good year.

My high school coach was like Lou Holtz…every opponent no matter how bad was going to beat us if we didn’t play our best. Before we boarded the bus that night, coach says to us that after watching the film there was no way this team could beat us if we simply took care of business. This was out of character for him.

First play of the game our RB (who ended up at UGA) takes a pitch 70 yards to the house. Second series, 4 plays another TD. We were rolling………We never scored another point that night. The other team hung around and slowly scored a touchdown before the end of the half. It was 14 to 7. Second half, both teams were having a hard time scoring. Our opponent put a touchdown in the end zone towards the end of the game. We are now in overtime. We’re thinking no way in hell we were this game.

We get the ball first from the 10. 4 plays to score. It’s 4th and 3 and our coach decides to go for the TD instead of kicking a fg and making the other team have to score. We get stopped at the 1. The other team brings out its FG team on first down and game over. I was stunned and 40 years later, still makes me sad.

We were Spartanburg High

 

[Anon1659052858]

Similar story. Undefeated 4A team my senior year ranked #1 in SC all year long. Playingfor the upper state championship and the next week would be at Willy B playing for a state title. We were a lock and had dominated all year. We were a yearly powerhouse. The team we played for the right to go to the state title game was rarely in the playoffs and historically a losing program but were having a good year.

My high school coach was like Lou Holtz…every opponent no matter how bad was going to beat us if we didn’t play our best. Before we boarded the bus that night, coach says to us that after watching the film there was no way this team could beat us if we simply took care of business. This was out of character for him.

First play of the game our RB (who ended up at UGA) takes a pitch 70 yards to the house. Second series, 4 plays another TD. We were rolling………We never scored another point that night. The other team hung around and slowly scored a touchdown before the end of the half. It was 14 to 7. Second half, both teams were having a hard time scoring. Our opponent put a touchdown in the end zone towards the end of the game. We are now in overtime. We’re thinking no way in hell we were this game.

We get the ball first from the 10. 4 plays to score. It’s 4th and 3 and our coach decides to go for the TD instead of kicking a fg and making the other team have to score. We get stopped at the 1. The other team brings out its FG team on first down and game over. I was stunned and 40 years later, still makes me sad.

We were Spartanburg High

If you are talking about 1977 against Eastside (when they played in the UpperState finals), then I know it from the other side. Eastside beat Spring Valley to win the state championship in Willy B.

 

[KingWard]

Similar story. Undefeated 4A team my senior year ranked #1 in SC all year long. Playingfor the upper state championship and the next week would be at Willy B playing for a state title. We were a lock and had dominated all year. We were a yearly powerhouse. The team we played for the right to go to the state title game was rarely in the playoffs and historically a losing program but were having a good year.

My high school coach was like Lou Holtz…every opponent no matter how bad was going to beat us if we didn’t play our best. Before we boarded the bus that night, coach says to us that after watching the film there was no way this team could beat us if we simply took care of business. This was out of character for him.

First play of the game our RB (who ended up at UGA) takes a pitch 70 yards to the house. Second series, 4 plays another TD. We were rolling………We never scored another point that night. The other team hung around and slowly scored a touchdown before the end of the half. It was 14 to 7. Second half, both teams were having a hard time scoring. Our opponent put a touchdown in the end zone towards the end of the game. We are now in overtime. We’re thinking no way in hell we were this game.

We get the ball first from the 10. 4 plays to score. It’s 4th and 3 and our coach decides to go for the TD instead of kicking a fg and making the other team have to score. We get stopped at the 1. The other team brings out its FG team on first down and game over. I was stunned and 40 years later, still makes me sad.

We were Spartanburg High

Was that running back Carnie Norris?

 

[BattleshipTexas]

Along this theme. My last year at the University of Texas, I had already been offered and accepted a good job. I took easy classes and only had to barely pass and graduate. So I played racquetball 5 or 6 days a week, 4 hours at a time. I was in the shape of my life. I was really good at racquetball by then, having played it for 5 or 6 years and concentrating hard for months. I was pretty dang confident. So one Saturday morning just after they open at 8:00AM, I was there, planning on working on my serve. Figuring no one much would be there. A couple of guys were on the challenge courts, so I got in line. The challenge courts, you play one game to 15 and the loser leaves and next in line is your new opponent. So you can stay forever if you win.

So my turn comes up, the guy beats me 15-1. I couldn't believe it. Worse, he didn't seem to be trying all that hard. So my turn comes up again after the two play again. It is the other guy. He beats me 15-2. Embarrassingly, he was making soft easy serves I could easily return, when I knew he had a killer fast serve. So I am looking at my racquet like that could be the problem. I was devastated, I had worked so hard.

In the breaks between games, everyone gets water and talks a bit, etc. They were really nice guys and were talking about their sponsors. Sponsors? I though maybe Alcoholics Anonymous? Then I realize they meant Dunlap and Ektelon. These were professional racquetball players, who played in tournaments for money and had corporate sponsors. Suddenly 15-2 didn't look so bad. Wow, I scored 2 points on a pro (ignoring that he certainly could have shut me out if he really wanted). But still, I was playing somewhat competitively, lots of five and six shot rallies. My outlook changed immediately. I felt great. So perspective can change.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Along this theme. My last year at the University of Texas, I had already been offered and accepted a good job. I took easy classes and only had to barely pass and graduate. So I played racquetball 5 or 6 days a week, 4 hours at a time. I was in the shape of my life. I was really good at racquetball by then, having played it for 5 or 6 years and concentrating hard for months. I was pretty dang confident. So one Saturday morning just after they open at 8:00AM, I was there, planning on working on my serve. Figuring no one much would be there. A couple of guys were on the challenge courts, so I got in line. The challenge courts, you play one game to 15 and the loser leaves and next in line is your new opponent. So you can stay forever if you win.

So my turn comes up, the guy beats me 15-1. I couldn't believe it. Worse, he didn't seem to be trying all that hard. So my turn comes up again after the two play again. It is the other guy. He beats me 15-2. Embarrassingly, he was making soft easy serves I could easily return, when I knew he had a killer fast serve. So I am looking at my racquet like that could be the problem. I was devastated, I had worked so hard.

In the breaks between games, everyone gets water and talks a bit, etc. They were really nice guys and were talking about their sponsors. Sponsors? I though maybe Alcoholics Anonymous? Then I realize they meant Dunlap and Ektelon. These were professional racquetball players, who played in tournaments for money and had corporate sponsors. Suddenly 15-2 didn't look so bad. Wow, I scored 2 points on a pro (ignoring that he certainly could have shut me out if he really wanted). But still, I was playing somewhat competitively, lots of five and six shot rallies. My outlook changed immediately. I felt great. So perspective can change.

Unrelated to the OPs topic, but related to racquetball. I took it as a class in college one semester. First day of class, we're all waiting around at the courts. It's a bunch of college age kids and some old guy. He was in his 60s it turns out. His name was Ezra. I thought "well, it's nice that he's still active, but he won't be able to keep up with people 40 years his junior." Ezra dominated. Everyone. Turns out he audited the class every semester. The first part of the course the instructor had us play games to evaluate us. Then he made up a bracket for tournament play the second part of the course. I played Ezra in one game and was determined to beat him. I certainly knew I was faster and stronger than him. I would hit the ball with all my might and he would just return them easily. He, on the other hand, would just hit these soft little shots that were absolutely impossible to return. I was running around like a crazy person and he just kind of trotted here and there. He killed me...and everyone else too. I'll never forget Ezra.

 

[Guy in the Back]

Unrelated to the OPs topic, but related to racquetball. I took it as a class in college one semester. First day of class, we're all waiting around at the courts. It's a bunch of college age kids and some old guy. He was in his 60s it turns out. His name was Ezra. I thought "well, it's nice that he's still active, but he won't be able to keep up with people 40 years his junior." Ezra dominated. Everyone. Turns out he audited the class every semester. The first part of the course the instructor had us play games to evaluate us. Then he made up a bracket for tournament play the second part of the course. I played Ezra in one game and was determined to beat him. I certainly knew I was faster and stronger than him. I would hit the ball with all my might and he would just return them easily. He, on the other hand, would just hit these soft little shots that were absolutely impossible to return. I was running around like a crazy person and he just kind of trotted here and there. He killed me...and everyone else too. I'll never forget Ezra.

Similar story…
Had a political science professor who was in her mid 60’s. She told our class that anyone that beat her in ping pong would get a A for the class. She even agreed to let the opponent serve the entire time and she’d only play defense. We all played…we all lost, badly. She hardly moved the entire time, but sure did laugh at us.

 

[Tngamecock]

Was that running back Carnie Norris?

Yep….great talent….sad life afterwards

 

[Tngamecock]

If you are talking about 1977 against Eastside (when they played in the UpperState finals), then I know it from the other side. Eastside beat Spring Valley to win the state championship in Willy B.

They had a great QB……Was his name David ( or Reid) Charpia?

 

[Tngamecock]

If you are talking about 1977 against Eastside (when they played in the UpperState finals), then I know it from the other side. Eastside beat Spring Valley to win the state championship in Willy B.

Yes…Eastside was a great story that year. I played O line for SHS……the tackle next to me signed with the taters. We ran behind us the first few series and scored, then we started doing other stuff. I was pissed. I didn’t realize how much the game meant to me until it was over. Great lesson to never underestimate any team.

 

[KingWard]

Yep….great talent….sad life afterwards

His life's course changed from the time Herschel Walker stepped on the field vs. Tennessee. Munson; "Oh, you Herschel Walker!

 

[CockofEarle]

Similar story. Undefeated 4A team my senior year ranked #1 in SC all year long. Playingfor the upper state championship and the next week would be at Willy B playing for a state title. We were a lock and had dominated all year. We were a yearly powerhouse. The team we played for the right to go to the state title game was rarely in the playoffs and historically a losing program but were having a good year.

My high school coach was like Lou Holtz…every opponent no matter how bad was going to beat us if we didn’t play our best. Before we boarded the bus that night, coach says to us that after watching the film there was no way this team could beat us if we simply took care of business. This was out of character for him.

First play of the game our RB (who ended up at UGA) takes a pitch 70 yards to the house. Second series, 4 plays another TD. We were rolling………We never scored another point that night. The other team hung around and slowly scored a touchdown before the end of the half. It was 14 to 7. Second half, both teams were having a hard time scoring. Our opponent put a touchdown in the end zone towards the end of the game. We are now in overtime. We’re thinking no way in hell we were this game.

We get the ball first from the 10. 4 plays to score. It’s 4th and 3 and our coach decides to go for the TD instead of kicking a fg and making the other team have to score. We get stopped at the 1. The other team brings out its FG team on first down and game over. I was stunned and 40 years later, still makes me sad.

We were Spartanburg High

& bill carr

 

[Tngamecock]

& bill carr

He was a great coach.

 

[cockthehammer]

They had a great QB……Was his name David ( or Reid) Charpia?

Reid Charpia…QB for Furman when they beat us (Carolina) in ‘82. They had Stanford Jennings. LONG ride back to Greenville.

 

[Tngamecock]

Reid Charpia…QB for Furman when they beat us (Carolina) in ‘82. They had Stanford Jennings. LONG ride back to Greenville.

I was there in school.........it sucked

 

[Tngamecock]

& bill carr

I didn't realize I played with Marcus Lattimore's dad until after Marcus left SC. Read an article on Marcus and it talked about him not having a close relationship with his biological dad (who was a D tackle on our team and very good).

 

[Importcock]

Navy - 1984. Killed our best shot ever at playing for a championship.

 

[BattleshipTexas]

Unrelated to the OPs topic, but related to racquetball. I took it as a class in college one semester. First day of class, we're all waiting around at the courts. It's a bunch of college age kids and some old guy. He was in his 60s it turns out. His name was Ezra. I thought "well, it's nice that he's still active, but he won't be able to keep up with people 40 years his junior." Ezra dominated. Everyone. Turns out he audited the class every semester. The first part of the course the instructor had us play games to evaluate us. Then he made up a bracket for tournament play the second part of the course. I played Ezra in one game and was determined to beat him. I certainly knew I was faster and stronger than him. I would hit the ball with all my might and he would just return them easily. He, on the other hand, would just hit these soft little shots that were absolutely impossible to return. I was running around like a crazy person and he just kind of trotted here and there. He killed me...and everyone else too. I'll never forget Ezra.

Yeah, racquetball is a game where the experienced players learn the angles and can humiliate faster more athletic players.

 

[Cocky99]

Nope. Always went scorched earth.

 

[GCJerryUSC]

Yes…Eastside was a great story that year. I played O line for SHS……the tackle next to me signed with the taters. We ran behind us the first few series and scored, then we started doing other stuff. I was pissed. I didn’t realize how much the game meant to me until it was over. Great lesson to never underestimate any team.

Navy 1984. Did not see first post about this. Skipped to post.