NGU @ Delta State

Whether you had an hour and a half plane ride or drove 10-12 hours to support the Crusaders in the quarterfinals in Mississippi, there was plenty of time for those feelings of excitement and intensity to skyrocket.

For several of the Crusaders, it was their first time flying. Many of them had feelings of anxiety while others where ready to get the show on the road.

Game day, the Crusaders started out kneeling with prayer just like they do prior to every game.

 The guys were full of energy and ready to get the game started

THE TEAM CAPTAINS: Mark Smith, Willy Korn, Nathan Batchelor, and Nick Rosamonda

 The opening kick-off

The game was neck and neck the whole time and by half-time, we were leading 17-14

The 2nd half was just as intense as the 1st-neck and neck the whole way through. 4th quarter the Crusaders could just not get the ball back. In the end, the Crusaders fell to the "Fighting Okra" (yes you read correctly) 28-23. It was a heart breaking loss and it was so sad to see such a wonderful season come to an end. For me the hardest part was after the game as I was sitting next to Jamey by the locker room.

Several of the seniors came up to him with tears in their eyes, hugging and thanking Jamey for believing in them, for caring for them, for everything that him and the staff had done. There is nothing worse than seeing grown men cry, it breaks your heart.

The plane ride back was pretty somber. As we landed, I looked back at the team and couldn't help but feel like a proud mom. Even though we lost, we won in so many other ways. As a team, they have accomplished so much. They have stood by the coaches and believed in what they envisioned, they stood by and supported each other as teammates and friends. Most importantly, they have become closer in their walk with Jesus. In the end, that is all that matters. If by chance you didn't read the following article, take a few moments to read this amazing article on Jamey and the team posted by the NCAA.

                                                Chadwell anchors wild ride

This group of coaches and players have taken a losing program to a winning program in the span of three years, made history over and over by having back to back winning seasons (never been done in school history), made the playoffs, then made it to the quarterfinals, and the amount of publicity that they have brought to this small school in Tigerville, that people have never heard of, is priceless. I will be sad to see these seniors leave and this season end but this team will always be a part of us and a part of the legacy that they helped to build at North Greenville University.