Some of you will remember last week when the Beater shared a super-intense pep "talk" (an e-mail, actually) delivered by the coach of an underdog youth flag football team in Southern California. We sort of dismissed it as way too hyperbolic--until we saw an image (taken by David Bruce Adams) of a spectacular catch snared by six-year-old wideout Blake Riley Adams, aka "'Lil Dwight Clark". Just look at the expressions on these kids' faces. With the exception of the whimsical-looking kid with long blonde hair, these tiny dudes surpass the intensity of the coach's e-mail. This is, indeed, the biggest game of their lives.

So what happened after the catch? Young Blake eluded defenders along the sideline for another 35 yards, notching his team's only score of the day in a 28-7 loss to an undefeated opponent. The photo, for our money, is equally spectacular, rivaling anything you'll see in SI. Cropping it to the dimensions specified by this blog wouldn't do this image justice, so click here: View image

Just got this message forwarded to me from a friend whose stepson plays on a youth football team somewhere in Southern California. It is a message from the coach to all parents: "This Saturday our players are playing the (team name omitted).  This team is undefeated. Their website shows this.  This team means business.  Three of their wins were shutouts. This team takes winning very seriously. So this is going to be an intense game.  Hard to imagine that it can get any more intense but this is going to be the game of the year.  Please be prepared for a tuff (sic) game.  Both the boys and the parents should be prepared for anything."

But then, a softening of tone: "Don't forget the main purpose for the flag division is for the boys to have fun.  This opponent is here to win.  Do not let their agenda change ours.  Parents please continue your great support. Your boys are fantastic! See Ya Saturday!"

The boys are six. And it's flag football we're talking about here. God bless America.