My earliest memories of football all trace back to backyard football with my friends from back home in Crystal Lake, IL. No matter the weather we were out there playing everyday right after school, and if you couldn’t make it, you better have had a pretty good excuse or else the next day of school was a living nightmare. No one came to watch us and there were certainly no camera crews around, but the passion we experienced together for those two hours exceeded the fulfillment any newspaper clipping could have temporarily provided.

This grueling game has taught me some lifelong lessons and it has introduced me to some lifelong friends. The game of football was a key factor in my path towards Augustana College and it has allowed me to be acquainted with the ‘backyard’ atmosphere that division III football brings. I don’t play in front of tens and thousands of people every Saturday, you won’t find me in the 2005 edition of NCAA Football for Playstation 2, nor did I get a full scholarship, but that is fine with me because I am playing the game I love with friends and coaches I care about.

That said, my teammates and I took a good initial step on the opening day of CCIW play as the Vikings of North Park bussed through 150 miles of corn to take us on in Rock Island. North Park got my adrenaline flowing as they stepped onto our field with a little swagger being 3-0 for the first time in quite a while. They approached the game with a different emotion than previous North Park teams and because of that alone, I think they will pick up a conference victory this year. However, last Saturday we jumped out to a 19-0 lead by the start of the second quarter, and again, our defense and ground attack rode with the momentum. The defense was lead by Tom Anthony and his three interceptions as Aaron Kuzniar led all Augie ball carriers with 146 yards on 15 carries. As the final seconds ticked away the scoreboard read 50-6 in our favor, but walking away from this game, we are completely aware that there are many things we need to improve upon in the following weeks to become a better football team.

Holding that thought, we travel to Kenosha, WI in week 6 to face the defending conference champions and the number 16 team in the nation, Carthage College. Returning 10 of 11 starters on defense from that conference championship team a year ago, our offense is up for the steepest challenge yet this year which should make for quite a game. As we strive to improve week to week we know that we must have a strong and productive string of practices leading up to an emotional game this Saturday at 6:00 pm under the lights. There won’t be tens and thousands of people in Kenosha on Saturday night, but you can surely bet that the intensity between the lines will match any other big game in the nation on any other football field … or backyard.

Dear reader:

We’ve asked a few Division III players to join our blog and give us an inside look into life in Division III football. Allow us to re-introduce Augustana wingback J.J. McDowell, who originally wrote for us as a junior last season in Around the Midwest:

The newborn 2005 season has already presented my teammates and I with a few significant experiences. Before we even had the chance to take the field against an opponent we lost senior captain Chris Studer to a broken arm. Chris is the type of player/person that every coach yearns to have on his roster. For three years he has put nothing less than one hundred percent into every off-season workout and every practice without a single complaint. Then his senior year rolls around, and his hard work and commitment finally earn him the opportunity to show what he is capable of doing on Saturday afternoons, but after one play, it is all taken away from him after an awkward landing after a reception. Unfortunately, Chris will miss the rest of the season, but he still hasn’t complained nor has he missed a single practice. He may not be strapping it up with us on Saturdays, but because of what he means to his teammates and this program, he remains to be a staple on the 2005 Augie football team.

Heading into week four after a bye week, with a record of 1-1, we hosted the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in front of our 1985 National Championship team. The defense came up with a stop on the opening drive, and we responded with a 92 yard drive resulting in seven points. A long interception return by defensive back Travis Shea, and a blocked punt by junior Aaron Call sparked the offensive ground attack and the momentum carried throughout the entire game. Though we walked away with a strong effort and a 45- 14 victory, we lost starting center, sophomore Donnie Gelsomino to yet, another broken limb. During the first half, at the end of a running play, a series of screams could be heard throughout Ericson field. I was ahead of the play so when I turned around I found Donnie, a kid who had worked so hard to earn a starting spot, lying there holding his leg up as his foot awkwardly hung with no support. Donnie suffered a broken leg, but just like Chris, will continue to be an essential part of this team.

Looking beyond our misfortunes, it was nice to get a big win in front of the 1985 National Championship team. One of my roommates who does not participate in football has an uncle who was on the ‘85 team, and after the game a bunch of alumni were at my house and I had the opportunity to talk to them for a while. It was fun swapping stories because many of the drills in practice and coaches they had are still around today. We shared quite a few laughs and I got to meet Brad Price, one of the greatest running backs Augie football has ever seen. It was enlightening to hear stories of the past and see their faces light up when talking of the championships or cracking a joke on a former teammate.

Next week we meet up with North Park University (3-0) for our second home game in a row. No matter what previous seasons North Park has had, running backs coach, Tom Schmulbach was quick to point out that they are currently leading the conference in rushing defense. That is all he needed to say, these Vikings will be ready for the challenge.

This past weekend was another big win for us. The win moved us to 3-0 and set up a very big divisional game with rival Bridgewater State. The game was one that I personally would like to forget as I had the worst day of my career. Three missed field goals that almost cost us the game, had it not been for a great effort by the defense. We ended up wining the game on a 1-yard touchdown run in the third overtime.

The defense was very good all day; two picks in the end zone by John Hirko and Dee Whitehead ended two scoring chances, and once again they were led by NEFC defensive player of the week Frank Famularo. The defense pitched a shutout for 60-plus minutes.

Saturday was the first time that I have ever played an overtime game and it didn’t end the way I had envisioned it to. As a kicker I have always in the back of my mind wished we could play an overtime game, so that I could win the game with a kick. That opportunity was there on Saturday and I didn’t get the job done like I had wanted to.

I am still getting treatment for a quad injury. I feel like it is getting better but it’s not there yet. I would like to be back to 100% within the next week, so that I can get back into a routine and start helping the team a little more than I am right now.

This week is very important to us, because the winner will have a game advantage in the Bogan Division. Bridgewater is a very good team with a lot of veterans, and has been playing very well this year.

A concern this week is getting everyone healthy, because it is going to take a good effort from everyone this week to win. The good thing is that they have to travel to us this week. We are still playing on a local high school field however due to delayed construction on our new facility.

The internship is going well; I am starting to do a little more. Last week I was out with some detectives and made my first arrest.