I mean really, when you claim to be “The Worldwide Leader in Sports” at least act like it. Tim Tebow is an irrelevant, terrible quarterback whose love for Jesus reaches farther than he can throw, literally. SportsCenter incessantly covers this guy no matter the circumstance, and to both fans and journalists like myself, it’s infuriating.

The Jason Collins story transcends and shifts our idea of what it would be like if a pro athlete came out. Collins has always been a tough guy, setting hard picks, shutting down the likes of Shaquille O’Neal, and making countless other hustle plays. He said it himself in Sports Illustrated, “I go against the gay stereotype, which is why I think a lot of players will be shocked: That guy is gay? But I’ve always been an aggressive player, even in high school.”

With this being an immensely important story in sports journalism, why is it on SportsCenter’s back burner behind Tim Tebow and the Los Angeles Lakers? Is it really that hard to diverge from your regular coverage of the wounded, defeated Lakers and an equally defeated Tebow? Sure it’s worth a mention, but the majority of the program needs to cover this Collins story in its entirety. It’s too important to be ignored in such a way.

I for one am incredibly proud of the courage it took for Jason Collins to come out. In the intolerant world of men’s professional sports–a world where the word “faggot” is thrown around loosely at other players, coaches and officials–Collins’ coming out is a breath of fresh air, and a step in the right direction towards equality.

There’s no equality of importance for ESPN when it comes to this story. The Tim Tebow piece written by Rich Cimini contains 1,063 words, and countless links and videos such as Ron Jaworski “breaking down” Tebow’s release. Collins’ story garners a mere 611 words, and a second tier placement on ESPN’s list of headlines.

Still on ESPN.com the story sits below Tebow, and isn’t even the first featured story on THE FRONT PAGE! How is this not the number one story? Does it not matter enough that Collins is breaking down the homophobic stereotype of athletes? Apparently not, as evidenced in a Deadspin article published earlier today. Sports journalism is dying before our very eyes.

If ESPN is uncomfortable with the Collins story, that’s a problem. It’s understandable for the average Joe to feel uncertain about an openly gay professional athlete, but if you’re the biggest sports news outlet in the world, you can’t live under a rock and report the least amount of information possible. This guy is changing American sports culture as we know it, so give the story the recognition it deserves. Don’t hide behind Skip Bayless’s favorite nobody in an attempt to overshadow the biggest sports story of our generation.

Miami is poised for another title run, finishing with a 66-16 record and earning home court throughout the playoffs.

In what has been a thrilling NBA season filled with emotion, now is the time where greatness shines brighter than ever before. Players like LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony look to build their legacy by capturing an NBA title. Teams go through a multitude of trials and tribulations during a grueling 82-game schedule. However, the intensity only grows from here on out. From the Perimeter has broken down every first, second, third and final round matchup in the NBA playoffs; projecting outcomes from the opening tip to the presentation of the Larry O’Brien trophy.

Western Conference:

1st Round:

(1) Oklahoma City def. (8) Houston 4-1

(4) Los Angeles Clippers def. (5) Memphis 4-3

(3) Denver def. (6) Golden State 4-1

(2) San Antonio def. (7) Los Angeles Lakers 4-2

2nd Round:

(1) Oklahoma City def. (4) Los Angeles Clippers 4-1

(3) Denver def. (2) San Antonio 4-2

Conference Finals:

(3) Denver def. (1) Oklahoma City 4-2

-The Nuggets fast paced offense is orchestrated by Ty Lawson, and with a dominant rebounder in Kenneth Faried, this Denver squad can make a deep run in the postseason. This will be attributed to an equally deep bench and team-first atmosphere instilled by coach George Karl.

Eastern Conference:

First Round:

(1) Miami def. (8) Milwaukee 4-0

(5) Chicago def. (4) Brooklyn 4-3

(3) Indiana def. (6) Atlanta 4-1

(2) New York def. (7) Boston 4-3

Second Round:

(1) Miami def. (5) Chicago 4-2

(2) New York def. (3) Indiana 4-1

Conference Finals:

(1) Miami def. (2) New York 4-3

-In what seems like a no-brainer to some, the Miami Heat will come out of the eastern conference. It won’t be an easy road however, facing two tough defensive teams in Chicago and New York.

NBA Finals:

(1) Miami def. (3) Denver 4-2

-LeBron getting his second ring is all but inevitable in the 2013 playoffs, and the only way Denver will stay competitive in this series is with the help of their raucous home crowd. If the Nuggets can steal a game in Miami, there’s potential for a monumental upset by Denver. However, LeBron and company are men on a mission. For everyone else in the NBA, it looks like mission impossible.

(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

A short time ago I wrote an article praising LeBron James as an all-time great. What I now regret is how minimally I acknowledged Kobe Bryant as one of the greatest of all time. In tonight’s 118-116 victory over the Golden State Warriors, the Los Angeles Lakers took a blow from which they may never recover. Multiple sources in Los Angeles have confirmed that Kobe Bryant has a torn achilles tendon, an injury suffered while Bryant played yet another grueling stretch of minutes.

In this case, there is nobody left to blame but the Los Angeles Lakers organization and coach Mike D’Antoni. No professional basketball player with 17 years experience should ever play 48 minutes in a game. Bryant did that Wednesday in Portland, and gave a historically great performance.

Los Angeles continues to scratch for an 8-seed, and they will undoubtedly have to do so without Kobe Bryant henceforth. The truly appalling aspect of this situation is that Bryant’s career is in jeopardy, solely because nobody else on his team could step up when it mattered most. When asked if this injury was the biggest disappointment of his career, Bryant told reporters, “By far.”

Another reporter acknowledged the ludicrous nature of his question, but asked Bryant if there’s any way he could play through this injury. Bryant replied with tears in his eyes, “I can’t walk man.” Kobe fielded countless other questions from the media, continually holding back a plethora of emotions. Further discussing how this injury can become a motivating factor, Bryant snickered and replied, “It’s fueling me. I can feel it right now. It’s pissing me off right now.” What a competitor.

Although the Lakers defeated the Warriors, a man who is the definition of a warrior may have just limped out of Staples Center for the final time in purple and gold. Throughout his career Bryant has carried the Lakers to 5 of their 17 championships as a franchise. In the latter stages of his career, Bryant should never have been subjected to the wear and tear that even rookies can’t handle. And to think that Bryant had to put his body and career on the line for a measly 8 seed? It’s pitiful, it’s embarrassing, and it shows just how much of a “business” the NBA has become.

Being in the playoffs means playoff t-shirts, tickets, hats, TV deals, and more money for King Kupchak and company to roll around in while legends like Bryant continue to put their livelihoods on the line. If the Lakers organization thought of Bryant as anything more than an asset, they would not allow coach D’Antoni to play him such heavy minutes. But making a playoff push is impossible for the Lakers without Bryant on the floor. No matter how many miles he has on his odometer, and even with 4 flat tires, Bryant is the proverbial vehicle that the Lakers have driven into a ditch; all in an effort to maximize profits.

(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

As the Miami Heat’s 27-game win streak came to a bitter end in Chicago on Wednesday, a timeless debate resurfaced: who is the greatest player in NBA history? Despite the fact that LeBron James and his team fell short in the house that Michael built, James has begun to show signs that he’s superior to Jordan.

Basketball enthusiasts and purists are seldom comfortable with challenging Michael’s position as the “G.O.A.T.” They look at his myriad of accolades, competitive fire and assertion of dominance as key factors in being the most talented player this game has ever seen. However athletically, James has a clear edge on the man he once idolized.

At 6’8″, 250 pounds, James is a man among boys in a league filled with dominant athletes. He was a highly touted football star as well as a basketball phenomenon throughout his high school career. His conditioning and brute strength coincide with lightning-quick speed and sensational footwork, making James nearly indefensible.

Early in his career, James could be forced to shoot an outside shot and defenders would hope to contain his driving abilities. The ever-improving James now shoots 39% from downtown and is a consistent threat all over the floor. His post-game has shown significant improvement from his days in Cleveland as well.

As a defensive presence, LeBron James is a menace. Although his career blocks and steals do not even compare to Jordan’s, James posts a better career defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions) coupled with a better block percentage. However, DWS (Defensive Win Shares) is the most important defensive statistic of all, measuring total estimated wins attributed to a player’s defense. Through nearly 10 NBA seasons, LeBron James has 47.5 DWS. Michael Jordan’s 10-year DWS was 42.1.

In his first nine seasons in the NBA, James is ahead of Jordan’s 9-year pace in total rebounds and assists. Additionally, James has so far posted 36 career triple-doubles while Jordan had 28 in his entire career. Despite a clear advantage in this category, LeBron could have almost twice as many triple-doubles as he currently does. On 24 separate occasions James has been one rebound or assist short of a triple-double. If he hadn’t come up short on all of these opportunities, his career triple-doubles mark would be at 60, instead of 36.

Numbers never lie, but they can be deceiving. A large portion of statistical categories belong to Jordan, but James’s career is nowhere near over. Right now, LeBron James is not the greatest player of all time. Although he’s spent a decade in the NBA we cannot decipher his greatness just yet. When all is said and done, James’ accolades will speak for themselves.

“Five beats one every time I look at it” once said his airiness not too long ago regarding the James vs. Bryant debate. As far as titles and 80+ point games go, Bryant has the edge on James. He also has 20 more career win shares (estimated number of wins contributed by a player). However, Bryant is 6 years older than LeBron and continually produces at a high level. He also has a ring for every finger on one hand, while James believes that his one ring can be placed on a particular finger towards his critics. But can greatness truly be measured by playoff success?

At the pace James is setting, he will likely surpass Jordan and Bryant in categories that don’t include titles. Jordan has five career regular season MVP’s, while James is on track for his fourth at the end of this season. All-star games are somewhat irrelevant when fans are allowed to vote, but James needs only 5 more to tie Jordan’s mark of 14. Michael Jordan was named to 10 all-NBA first teams, and LeBron James will be named to his 7th in a few weeks.

Intangibles might be the most important aspect of determining a G.O.A.T. Competitive edge and overcoming adversity are two factors that Jordan and James share. Both men experienced adversity in their childhood. James dealt with poverty and growing up in a single-parent home, with basketball as his outlet. Jordan was cut from his high school varsity team his sophomore year, but persevered and was eventually named a McDonald’s All-American his senior year.

Both athletes possess a competitive fire and desire to win, but Jordan rarely experienced criticism at the level that LeBron has. Leaving Cleveland for South Beach turned James into somewhat of a villainous figure in pro sports. The pressure to win a championship weighed on him until the end of last season, and he has since become a more admirable and charismatic athlete. Jordan never had pressure to be great. He was always great in the eyes of the fans, and possessed nearly every quality of the perfect role model.

Who is the G.O.A.T.?  Myriad answers will span generations. Jordan, James and perhaps even Kobe Bryant will be considered as fans continue to debate this hot-button issue that rages on in basketball culture and lore.

Potential Bracket Busters: (7) Creighton, (12) Oregon, (5) Wisconsin, (5) UNLV.

Projected 1st Round Upsets: 

(12) Oregon over (5) Oklahoma State

(11) MTSU over (6) Memphis

(13) South Dakota State over (4) Michigan

(14) Davidson over (3) Marquette

Projected Final Four: (1) Louisville, (3) New Mexico, (1) Kansas, and (5) UNLV.

Projected National Title: (1) Louisville def. (5) UNLV 64-57.

What’s not to like about Louisville? A dominant paint presence in Gorgui Dieng matched with a stellar point guard in Peyton Siva has earned Louisville the number one overall seed in the tournament, and rightfully so. After demoralizing Syracuse in the second half of the Big East championship, Louisville flexed its muscles and proved that they’re in it to win it. The Cardinals’ road through the midwest looks favorable, with my picks matching them up against Colorado State, Oregon and Creighton.

New Mexico faces a tougher road to Atlanta, projected in my bracket to take down Arizona, Ohio State and Wisconsin before falling to the Cardinals. The Lobos have speed, talent and togetherness; a deadly combination come tournament time. Chemistry seems to be lost in translation with all of the one-and-done superstars in college basketball. With 7 combined juniors and seniors and only 3 freshman, synergy will lead to success for the Mountain West champs.

“Rock Chalk Jayhawks!” has been cheered in a myriad of march madnesses, and Bill Self’s senior laden squad has one mission in mind: a national title. Despite the fact that Kansas struggled in early February, they’ve come roaring back to claim yet another Big-12 title over in-state rival KSU. Ben McLemore is a potential number one draft pick in the NBA, Jeff Withey holds down the middle with his shot-blocking prowess, and Travis Releford provides veteran leadership.

Finally, we have the Runnin’ Rebels of UNLV. If the shoe does indeed fit, this team has a chance to be a Cinderella squad in the 2013 tournament. They’ll no doubt have a tough road to the title game against projected Syracuse, Indiana, Miami and Kansas. However, freshman sensation Anthony Bennett and his cohort Anthony Marshall will cause a bevy of matchup problems for these title contenders. Avoiding teams such as Wisconsin and Ohio State was a crucial step toward the Rebels’ success, with both possessing a lockdown defender in their backcourt. Unfortunately for Dave Rice and the Rebels, Louisville will best them in the national title game.

(Photo: Steve Dykes, USA TODAY Sports Images)

Every rose has its thorn, but for the young Portland Trail Blazers, the last 9 home games have been thorn-free at the Rose Garden. Victories bursting with emotion have become the signature of a team that was spiraling towards the lottery back in November. The turnaround for the Trail Blazers has been fueled by a stellar starting lineup. Portland is lead by All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge, as well as budding superstars Nicolas Batum and Damian Lillard. Despite sub-par bench play, Head Coach Terry Stotts has managed to lead his team to a 20-15 record, good enough for 7th in the Western Conference.

Should the surprising success of the Blazers propel Stotts into the coach of the year discussion? The answer is yes, depending on how Portland finishes a season with 47 games remaining. Stotts should definitely be in the conversation with names such as Mike Woodson and Mark Jackson, and he has a bright future ahead of him. Plenty of cap space and a young team with a winning record should cement Stotts’ job for as long as the success continues. But how long can the Blazers ride this momentum?

With a thrilling 92-90 victory over the defending NBA champion Miami Heat on Thursday, Portland captured its 9th consecutive home victory. Raucous fans and an overall record of 13-4 at the Rose Garden create a deadly matchup for a lackadaisical 1, 2 or 3 seed come playoff time. The electricity is quickly returning to the Blazer fan base despite a dismal 2011-12 campaign. If and when the Trail Blazers make the playoffs, their focus has to be on stealing a game in enemy territory, because the Rose Garden is one tough road venue.

So what happens when all is said and done? What comes after the shattering of expectations and possible playoff run? Excess of $13 Million will be available in cap room this summer, and with any luck, the Blazers could land a superstar along the lines of Dwight Howard. But I don’t believe that Portland should invest in a Dwightmare. J.J. Hickson has been the MVP of the Trail Blazers this season solely based on his rebounding effort. At 6’9″, Hickson may not be the biggest, strongest center in the NBA, but he possesses something that Dwight Howard lacks greatly.

Heart.

J.J. Hickson goes after every rebound with unparalleled force and effort. In every one of Portland’s 9 consecutive home victories, Hickson has posted a double-double. Some will argue that there are far more important components to the Blazers success, like the play of rookie sensation Damian Lillard or French swingman Nicolas Batum. However if you analyze Trail Blazer games, Hickson is a catalyst in victories. In the last 7 games where Hickson had the game-high in rebounds, Portland was 7-0.

There’s a lot to like about the Portland Trail Blazers. Key role players like Wesley Matthews and Luke Babbitt are steadily improving and finding their niche. Damian Lillard is a shoe-in for rookie of the year barring serious injury, and Nicolas Batum has superior athleticism along with an incredible basketball mind. If Aldridge can keep performing in his prime as those two continue to grow, watch out NBA.

Photo Credits: www.cbssports.com

In a year full of record breaking performances and spectacular rookie Quarterbacks, this season’s NFL Playoffs will be one of the most exciting in league history. A multitude of story lines surround the 12 teams that remain, but only 1 can hoist the Lombardi trophy come February. From the Perimeter has laid out detailed projections and analysis of every matchup and projected matchup from Wild Card to Super Bowl.

AFC:

Wild Card:

(3) Texans def. (6) Bengals 28-10

The Bengals may be the least talented team in the playoffs, but don’t expect Cincinatti to go down without a fight. Houston will dominate this game defensively but moderately struggle on offense.

(5) Colts def. (4) Ravens 21-17

Arguably the greatest story of the 2012 NFL Season, Colts head coach Chuck Pagano has beaten cancer and inspired his team to shatter expectations. A defensively depleted Ravens squad will be upset by the resilient Colts.

Divisional:

(1) Broncos def. (5) Colts 31-21

Redemption at its finest; Peyton Manning vs. the team where he spent the majority of his career. Although Pagano’s team has been awe-inspiring this season, inexperience will catch up to the Colts against a red-hot Broncos squad.

(2) Patriots def. (3) Texans 35-17

New England has had its fair share of struggles this season, but more recently so have the Texans. Expect an uninspired performance by Houston as Tom Brady and company cruise to another appearance in the AFC Title Game.

AFC Championship:

(2) Patriots def. (1) Broncos 27-21

The AFC championship will be a renewal of one of the greatest QB rivalries of the modern NFL era. Tom Brady vs. Payton Manning part 14. This game will make for an all time classic as two hall-of-famers clash once more. The improbable win streak of the Denver Broncos will come to a bitter end as the Patriots make their 6th appearance in the Super Bowl with Tom Brady under center.

NFC:

Wild Card:

(3) Packers def. (6) Vikings 37-28

Adrian Peterson could very well be the MVP of the NFL this season, but his team will fall 9 points short of a playoff victory, just as he fell 9 yards short of the single season rushing record held by Eric Dickerson.

(5) Seahawks def. (4) Redskins 31-20

In a battle between two superb rookie quarterbacks, Russell Wilson and the stingy Seahawks will edge Robert Griffin III and the Redskins. Seattle’s defense will be the greatest test RGIII has faced in his young career, and despite his best efforts, the Seahawks will prevail.

Divisional:

(5) Seahawks def. (1) Falcons 17-16

In what will go down as the biggest upset of the 2012 NFL Playoffs, the number one seeded Atlanta Falcons will fall to the Seahawks on a last second field goal. Look for the Falcons to enter this divisional game incredibly overconfident, allowing the Seahawks to swoop in and steal a berth in the NFC title game.

(2) 49ers def. (3) Packers 28-21

Aaron Rodgers and the Packers haven’t lived up to immense expectations this season, and the 49ers defense is truly menacing. Young QB Colin Kaepernick won’t have to do much throwing, as he and Frank Gore will flourish on the ground against the 17th ranked rushing defense of the Packers.

NFC Title Game:

(5) Seahawks def. (2) 49ers 31-21

An unlikely victor coming out of the NFC, Russell Wilson and the Seahawks will make history with Wilson becoming the first rookie quarterback ever to make an appearance in the Super Bowl. Seattle’s tough defense and fluid offense will open some eyes in this years playoffs, but will it be enough to bring home the Lombardi to the Emerald City?

Super Bowl:

(2) Patriots def. (5) Seahawks 27-24

Cementing his hall of fame legacy, Tom Brady will be the recipient of his fourth championship at the expense of the Seattle Seahawks. Look for Brady to struggle early against Richard Sherman and a stifling Seahawks secondary. Greatness never gives in however; Brady will lead his team to a comeback victory and become the MVP of Super Bowl XLVII.

Discover BCS National Championship: (1) Notre Dame vs. (2) Alabama

Projected Outcome: Alabama def. Notre Dame 31-21

In a game that will end up much closer than it should be, the Crimson Tide will prevail. Backed by their stellar running attack and a stingy defensive unit, Alabama is going to come out swinging against Notre Dame. Look for a game that sees the Fighting Irish struggle to compete early, but show resurgence in the fourth quarter and bring the game within two scores.

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl: (4) Oregon vs. (5) Kansas State

Projected Outcome: Oregon def. Kansas State 52-38

Two high-powered offenses clash in arguably the most intriguing matchup of the 2012 bowl season. Chip Kelly’s Ducks will thrive against a Wildcat defense that gave up 52 points to a 7-5 Baylor squad. Look for Collin Klein to prove his Heisman valor against a depleted Ducks defense, but on the other sideline, beware of Barner and his buddies as they look to make the Wildcats whimper.

Discover Orange Bowl: (12) Florida State vs. (15) Northern Illinois

Projected Outcome: Florida State def. Northern Illinois 49-10

In a game that features an arguably undeserving team in a BCS bowl, Florida State’s dominant defensive line will cause a multitude of problems for Jordan Lynch’s Huskies. Being the champions of the MAC seems an odd way to earn an Orange Bowl berth, and shows the incredible flaws that pervade the current BCS bowl system.

Rose Bowl Game presented by VIZIO: (6) Stanford vs. Wisconsin

Projected Outcome: Stanford def. Wisconsin 35-13

The Cardinal experienced some tough tests in 2012, handing Oregon their only loss of the season on Nov. 17th and taking Notre Dame to overtime in October. Montee Ball and Wisconsin hope to pull another huge upset, after finishing their otherwise disappointing season with a 70-31 thrashing of (16) Nebraska in the Big Ten title game.

Allstate Sugar Bowl: (3) Florida vs. (21) Louisville

Projected Outcome: Florida def. Louisville 27-24

A last second field goal will be the difference between these two physical football teams. Although Louisville struggled down the stretch of a season in which they started 9-0, the Cardinals will put up a fight against an SEC powerhouse in Florida. QB Jeff Driskel and the Gators have been in this position before, winning close games against inferior opponents, and the leg of Caleb Sturgis will give the Gators the edge against Louisville.

*Fan’s Pick* Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl: TCU vs. Michigan State

Projected Outcome: TCU def. Michigan State 28-17

From the Perimeter’s fans have weighed in, and the non-BCS bowl of choice will feature the Spartans of Michigan State matching up with the Horned Frogs of TCU. The inaugural BWW bowl should be a good one, and guest picker Tannan Luzzo projects an 11 point victory for the Horned Frogs. It’s truly inspiring to see TCU have the opportunity to win a bowl game after a season filled with turmoil on and off the field.

1. Alabama (6-0, 3-0 SEC)

No surprise here. The reigning national champions continue to dominate the college football world under tenured head coach Nick Saban. Led by Junior Quarterback A.J. McCarron, the Crimson Tide have yet to battle with a team currently ranked in the top 25. The Alabama defense has been truly dominant, ranking 1st in the country in points allowed per game (7.5). Despite a relatively easy ride through 6 weeks, the Tide will face 3 ranked SEC squads in the next 4 weeks: #12 Mississippi State, #6 LSU, and #18 Texas A&M.

2. Florida (6-0, 5-0 SEC)

This ranking was no doubt the surprise of the weekend. After squeaking by #6 LSU in week 6, the Gators have proven that they belong among college football’s best. However, quarterback struggles and margin-of-victory issues are bedeviling in the bayou. Whether or not the Gators can keep their streak alive is in question, facing #7 South Carolina and #11 Georgia in the next 2 weeks. A loss in either week will no doubt send Florida plummeting down the BCS Standings, but two victories? Watch out ‘Bama.

3. Oregon (6-0, 3-0 PAC-12)

After dropping from 2 to 3 in the standings, the Ducks look to send out a mighty quack towards the BCS with a victory over ASU on Thursday. At 5-1, the Sun Devils provide a formidable opponent on the road for Oregon. Chip Kelly’s offense has been far from unimpressive, ranking 2nd in points per game (52.3) and 4th in rushing yards (302.3). Heisman hopeful De’Anthony Thomas and freshman QB Marcus Mariota lead the high-powered offense, but the Duck defense has been surprising, displaying it’s potential in a 49-0 rout of Arizona in week 4.

4. Kansas State (6-0, 3-0 Big 12)

Other than an impressive victory over #9 Oklahoma, the high-powered Wildcats have endured a relatively easy schedule to this point. Kansas State has outscored their opponents 245-99 in 6 victories this season, with an average margin of victory standing at 24.3 PPG. Compared to the likes of Oregon (32.3) and Alabama (33.5), this statistic displays a chink in the armor for the Wildcats. Competition has been relatively nonexistent with the exception of Oklahoma, creating a cause for concern in the coming weeks. Kansas State is scheduled to play Geno Smith and #13 West Virginia this week, followed by a rejuvenated Texas Tech squad fresh off an upset victory over the aforementioned Mountaineers.

5. Notre Dame (6-0, Independent)

The dark-horse team in college football hails from South Bend. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have returned to their former glory, living up to enormous expectations set mainly by the media. After a quarterback controversy earlier in the season, the Irish have succeeded with a stellar defense led by Senior linebacker Manti Te’o. Notre Dame has allowed an astonishing 8.7 PPG under head coach Brian Kelly. If they can run the table and beat the likes of Oklahoma and USC, the Irish may be fighting for a national championship.

Early in the game, things started slowly for the young Wildcats. A 14-3 first quarter crushed the confidence of the ‘cats fans, but Westview wasn’t going down without a fight. Two rushing TD’s by QB Julius Rucker brought the Wildcats back within 2 by halftime. Rucker’s mobility combined with his strong arm make him a dual threat every play, but it was the defense that stepped up for Westview in the second half.

During the 3rd quarter, a blocked punt  by Westview fell into the hands of star linebacker Mitch Kekel on the opposing 22. Most players would fall on the ball and give their team great field position, but not Kekel. Determination coursing through his veins, Kekel made a huge cutback around the 15 yard line and powered into the end zone. After his masterful return, Kekel let out a mighty roar and pointed to a Westview crowd exploding with excitement. Westview ended up defeating Lincoln 32-27 to improve to 2-1 on the season.

There’s nothing like the atmosphere at a high school football game. I was right in the middle of it all last night, cheering on my friends and classmates as they left it all out on the field. To be a true fan of your team, it takes hours of effort. The typical day of a high school football fan begins in the classroom, anxiously waiting for the bell to ring. After school is preparation time. Face paint, wigs, hairspray, you name it, anything to go over the top with the theme of the game.

The dedication doesn’t stop there, because the real fans show up 3+ hours before the game for tailgate. Food, friends, and football is the atmosphere in the Westview parking lot on Friday afternoons. A sense of community is developed at tailgate before Wildcat fans even set foot in the stadium. The memories from these Friday nights will resinate not only with the players, but also the fans. The camaraderie is matched only by college sports. I know that I’ll never forget last night’s game, but the worst part is,

I can still smell the baby powder.