Today started bright and early with a scorching practice. Remembering from last year how talented the Desert Vista offense is, we implemented a new wrinkle in our defensive squad: the “In and Out” zone defense, named after In and Out Burger, the team’s habitual burger joint in Arizona. After a hardworking practice in which we implemented the new style, we headed to a small shopping center to grab some food and unwind.
After some nice time at the hotel (nothing like a water slide to take the edge off pre-game nerves!) we headed to Desert Vista for our 6:30 game. Despite being thousands of miles from home, we still had a cheering section: several members of the Tempe Meeting came out to support us. Encouraged by this, the boys went out and fought a hard game against Desert Vista. Though we lost 8-4, the outcome in no way represents how it looked on the field, as MFS stuck with one of the best teams in the state and made them fight for every pass, shot, and ground ball. The new In and Out zone defense, which the boys learned fresh mere hours before, worked like a charm, putting the Desert Vista offense thoroughly off their game.
We may have lost, but the effort on the field was outstanding. On the ride back to the hotel, Billy Joel sang us home- the boys definitely started the fire here in Arizona.
