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We're up by 254 votes with 39,000 ballots counted. The Giants won the World Series. Okay, check you later.
Just kidding. Now that we're all caught up on my life, let's pass on a few bits from today's practice at LSHS. I caught the tail end and spoke with a few players ahead opf tomorrow's district playoff at second-ranked Curtis.
First, and most importantly, I talked to Korey Young, who was on crutches and observing. Korey said that he suffered a tear in all of the major ligaments in his left knee. MCL, ACL, Meniscus... everything. Young is scheduled for surgery soon (with the UW Athletics surgeon...) and in the meantime he told me he is ALREADY beginning rehab and is planning on exercising five or more hours a day after surgery in order to get back on track. Estimates on this injury range from 9-12 months of total recovery. Nine months would be right around Labor Day 2011. Knowing Korey and his level of determination, commitment - and his obviously high pain threshold - I would expect that Young beats these timetables and is ready to go for August camp next season - in what is shaping up as a very promising year for the Vikings.
Coach Tom Tri gathered the seniors after practice and gave the obligatory rah-rah speech heading into an SPSL playoff game. We all know the ugly recent history, etc. Tri lit into his charges following what was reportedly a pretty sloppy and lackluster practice. Doesn't seem to be the greatest news heading into tomorrow's playoff clash, but then again, Timmy Lincecum reportedly had his worst bullpen session ever prior to his Game 6 World Series start...
I spent a few moments talking to Duke Dolphin after practice, and Duke is determined to not allow the Vikings to relive the lapses that occured the last few years against SPSL teams. If you'll remember, (I'm sure the images are seared into Coach Tri's memory) Lake has fumbled away the OPENING KICKOFF in its last two playoff openers (and in three out of the last four years: at Bothell 2006, at Rogers 2008, at Bethel 2009) and pretty much surrendered shortly thereafter. With Dolphin handling kick returns (and punt returns, and punting, and defense, and offense, etc), Duke is ready to shoulder the load and set an example for his teammates. During the Viking loss at M-P, Dolphin was one of the few players visibly upset and exhorting his teammates to fight. Duke said he is sure that this year's Viking team is not scared of the moment, and he said he can't wait to get Curtis star Rahmel Dockery in his cross-hairs on defense.
Another Viking who seems to be in the proper mindset is All Wesco QB (yeah, I said it. Mark it down.) Jake Nelson. Nelson wrote on some blog that he is not intimidated by the prospect of playing the state's second-ranked team, and that he is confident that the Vikes are capable of winning. Nelson, who revealed he recently received his first scholarship offer - from West Point no less (but as a starting pitcher in baseball) - said that his experience starting at Bethel in last year's playoffs as a sophomore has prepared him for what is ahead.
Nelson and Dolphin - along with major college prospect Gunnar Eklund at tackle and career receptions leader Brandon Preslar at WR represent a major difference in this year's squad as opposed to previous years: this year, Lake has the talent and size to match up with the historically superior SPSL league teams - however Lake will be severely lacking in team speed, and will be forced to contain the state's most dynamic player - Rahmel Dockery.
I'll pass on some links a little later tonight. All for now.