Football: Family war games
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Ontario Christian Coach Chris Stevens might feel as though he needs a full set of medieval plate mail every week of the Full Armor Game.
He could use the protection against the verbal jabs he has received the last two years from the rival coach at Murrieta Calvary.
Last year, they came from his father, Laing. This year, they came from his younger brother, Cameron.
‘We talk back and forth throughout the week and banter about it,’ said Chris Stevens, who improved to 2-0 in the family affair Friday with Ontario Christian’s 25-6 victory over Calvary and first-year Coach Cameron Stevens. ‘We joke around about trick plays and not blitzing each other in the first half.’
The contest has been dubbed the Full Armor Game because it matches teams nicknamed the Knights and Warriors. The winner receives possession of a trophy featuring a soldier wielding a sword and shield, with scores of past games along the base.
Chris Stevens claimed the inaugural victory when the Knights defeated the Warriors, 10-7, last year during Laing Stevens’ only season at Calvary. Laing is now an assistant on Chris’ staff.
The one raging debate during the days before the game: Where does Mom sit?
‘We always say Mom is going to sit in the end zone and split the difference or on the 50-yard line on one side for one half and on the 50-yard line on the other side for the other,’ Chris said. ‘It’s never fun for Mom. She never likes these weeks.
‘She’s always praying for a tie, but it didn’t work out like that.’
--Ben Bolch