I Can See Clearly Now

I can't really help it. I'm sitting there watching this why-is-kickoff-at-8:16-pm-on-a-Thursday-night game and I immediately get this feeling of "THIS is why I want to watch at least one scrimmage each August."

It's the same feeling as August of 2010 when we used to scrimmage at Rantoul High School and invite the public. It's the feeling of those avoid-the-heat evening scrimmages at Camp Rantoul. It was the feeling of hearing that they're using "the third field" along St. Mary's Road under Lovie which meant that they would probably be scrimmaging and we'd be able to lean on the fence at the top of the hill.

I would watch those scrimmages, and I'd see the players not just practicing, but competing, and I'd get a decent idea what kind of team we had. I don't know why I feel like I need to have a decent idea what kind of team we'll have each year, but I do. And I miss those scrimmages so, so much.

Before I come off as exceptionally ungrateful, I should note that media got access to two fully open practices this August. That's more than we've gotten the last three Augusts. I have pleaded for more access and this summer we received more access. This is me taking my inch and requesting a mile.

I'm bringing this up because last night, as I watched, I saw things that you can only learn from live, full-out football. How much certain juniors have improved over their sophomore selves. The level of physicality that certain they-need-to-be-ready transfers bring. Whether our skill players have developed any skills. Actual, bona fide player rotations. The pregame smoke took a while to dissipate, but once it did, I feel like I learned a lot.

Things like...