For me personally, I started my Czech career as I ended my college career, on the offensive line. With the addition of an American quarterback and running back, I had to move positions. European rules generally state that you can only have two Americans on the field at once. So with that, I was moved to nose guard on the defensive line. For the first time since high school, I was on the defensive side of the football. I was nervous about it, but I caught on pretty quickly. Nose guard in our system is pretty simple. Before the start of Game Week, however, it became apparent that a few of our defensive ends were not going to be able to make the trip to Germany. So, with a week to go, I changed positions to defensive end, not a complicated position, but definitely more complicated that nose guard. So that was quite a source of anxiety for me.
As we went through warm ups these anxieties began to occupy much of my mind. I was not in a place to compete on a worldly level, and certainly not ready to play a game with the freedom accorded to us in Christ. I was concerned about the offensive line that I coach and my own performance. I was not enjoying the experience.
Then out of nowhere, George, a missionary with another organization and our defensive line coach, snuck up behind me and did his usual pre-game prayer in my ear. Immediately my worries ceased. Once I hit the field, I was able to enjoy the game, make a few tackles, coach my guys up, and participate in a great victory. Sometimes I get so preoccupied with things that are subordinate to my job as a missionary and my life as a Christian, that I lose sight of the real reason I am here and the reason that I live. I am here in Prague because God called me to a minister to students at FTVS and players on the Prague Lions. I live a Christian life because I have freedom from worry.
We went on to win the game 37:13. It was the first victory for the Prague Lions Senior Team since June 2009. Between then and now, the Lions have undergone a nasty split which saw 90% of our team leave and form another team (as well as a lot of our equipment, all our sponsors, practice and game fields go with them). We were literally left with nothing but a handful of guys and a hope to rebuild. I want to make sure to thank each one of the guys who stuck around through the split. I hope and pray that this victory is the sign of things to come for our program. We have a foundation in place.
Some of the guys who have been around the program for awhile made some great plays. We also got great production out of some new guys. Miroslav was playing in his first game ever in the defensive secondary and had an interception and made three or four difficult plays on the ball which resulted in incomplete passes. And, of course, our American quarterback and running back both had great games.
If guys continue to play with that passion and determination we will continue to have success this season.
