Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer
It must have been a dream come true for some as Warhorse Head Coach Paul Gomez and Lytle Head Coach Mike Trevino allowed individual players to be tackled by their own momma in one of the best team-building exercises out there.
Many high school football moms secretly dream of having the opportunity to tackle their son on the football field, although the moms may envision it as them flying across the living room in their nightgown and lifting their son’s feet off the ground as they go tumbling over the couch.
And wanting the opportunity to tackle is not because they do not love them.
No, not at all.
It is, however, that therapeutic opportunity to return some of the frustration that comes with raising a teenage boy. When Gomez and Trevino announced this type of team-building exercise was coming to fruition, the excitement was palpable.
Jenni Hagdorn tackled her son Jackson before planting a kiss on his forehead.
Mom’s lined up one by one facing their son, as their son stood in front of a landing mat with a pad held to their chest in order to soften the blow they were about to absorb from their biggest fan.
Players and coaches alike lined each side of the approximate 10-yard running lane, whooping and hollering while hoping to see the player get laid out by their sweet, dear momma.
One could see the years of ignoring curfews, dodging chores, mumbling underneath their breath, and numerous “but other kids are doing it” references when their way was not granted were clearly visible in several mother’s faces as those moments came rushing back, if only for a short few seconds.
Many players underestimated the power that lies inside their mom, as many mom’s laid the wrath of pent-up exasperation on their unsuspecting offspring.
And, boy, was it glorious!
In the end, there were no hard feelings but a newfound appreciation for a mom and son to share for the rest of their lives together.
Something to keep in mind as you are watching a game under the lights this fall is if a player from a team that you are rooting for happens to make an outstanding play on an opposing team’s ball carrier, maybe, just maybe, the most appropriate thing to yell would be, “You tackle like your mom!”
Videos/Pics
If you want to see pictures and videos of Lytle’s Gridiron Gals, visit Mike Trevino on Facebook. To see Football 101 with Warhorse Moms, check out Warhorse Nation on Facebook or Warhorse_Nation on X (formerly Twitter).