An ode to Georgia Southern

For those of my readers who I've picked up along the way who either A.) didn't attend college with me, or B.) I haven't personally met in the last 10 years, you might not know just how much I love my Georgia Southern Eagles.

Last week, they took on an Old Dominion squad with the best offense in the country and quickly fell behind. I won't lie. I was just about to throw in the towel on my Eagles.

But then, some magic happened. The Eagles got off the mat and tore off a 28-0 fourth quarter to seal the win and advance to the semifinals.

A win like that isn't done justice with the postgame wrap-up, or even with the thousands upon thousands of message board posts recounting the drama. So in an attempt to immortalize the incredible final 15 minutes of action, I'd like to present this poem, written in the style of the classic "Casey At the Bat," but with a much better ending for the heroes of the story.

The outlook wasn’t great for GSU that fateful day,

The bracket was stocked with talent and Old Dominion was in the way.

And then, when the Monarchs took flight and the offense hit its stride,

The Eagle Nation was rattled and nearly swallowed up its pride.

The stage was set, it would have seemed, to be the Monarchs’ day,

But the Eagles stood, defiant, saying “there’s a quarter more to play”

Just one little spark was needed. Just the slightest bit of hope;

It could come from Darreion, McKinnon, Tray Butler, Bryant or Swope.

The Eagles broke through finally and cut into the lead,

To which ODU fans chuckled and said, “You might as well concede”

The Monarchs took control once more and went right down the field,

It seemed, for every Heinicke pass, the Eagle defense would yield.

A dink, a dunk, a broken play, a run through open space,

Old Dominion seemed destined to take another step toward grace.

Into the Eagles’ red zone the Monarchs quickly sped,

And justified was all the Eagle faithful’s somber dread.

But as Heinicke dropped back and dialed in on another score,

DuBose ran through a block and shook the passer to his core.

With momentum in the balance, the pigskin danced upon the ground;

And as Flowe descended upon it, Eagle Nation’s hopes were abound.

New life had been bestowed, the ODU attack stopped in its wake;

Another score from the Eagles and the game could be theirs to take.

With a bold determination and defenders strewn aside,

GSU marched down the field, and suddenly the game was tied.

“Too much time left on the clock”, the Monarch faithful said.

“Our offense will do the trick this time. You’re still as good as dead.”

But a Stevenson hit left Heinicke writhing on the ground in pain,

And it was clear the Eagles wouldn’t let the Monarchs score again.

Facing 4^th-and-6, and with their backs against the wall,

The Monarchs’ offense stayed on the field, spurred on by Wilder’s gall.

Another hurried Heinicke pass fell harmlessly to the floor,

The magic was gone from ODU. It was the Eagles’ ball once more.

With hands on hips and heads hung low, the Monarch defense wilted.

Championship dreams started fading away. The ODU fans - jilted.

The Eagles went right down the field, showcasing all their speed,

Then one more run from Swope and Georgia Southern had the lead.

“But surely,” cried the home crowd “Heinicke can still lead us back,”

“He’s got records, skills and stats. There’s just no way he’s going to crack.”

With the Monarchs in possession and magic lying in the wait,

Defiance gleamed in Heinicke’s eyes and in his sturdy gait.

With the hopes of maddened thousands neatly piled upon his back,

Heinicke was certain that he’d finally get his team on track.

In the time when heroes shine, and losers fade into the past,

ODU was confident that Heinicke’s laugh would be the last.

For the Monarchs, glory laid a football field away.

For the Eagles, one more stop would mean to live another day.

One more chance to get downfield, or one chance to make a stand.

One more chance for either to claim its stake as best in the land.

Now Heinicke drops back to pass, and now he lets it go.

And now the air is shattered by the force of Heinicke’s throw.

Out into the distance the pigskin pellet flew,

A dot against the Norfolk sky. A speck against the blue.

Oh, somewhere in this troubled land, bad feelings hide the good.

Some teams are taken out too quickly, not playing when they still should.

Some teams are sent home early, with plenty of mountain left to climb,

But Eagle Nation is happy because they’re playing, JUST ONE MORE TIME.

For those of you who don't do so well with word pictures - even perfectly crafted rhyming ones - and weren't tuned into the game, here are some of the plays depicted above:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCsA4zqau70

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApZ5zSsjK_4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHPiUZ0FEJE

If you aren't already a GSU fan, I'd like to recruit you. The Eagles play their semifinal game on Friday at 8 p.m. on ESPN2. It's a little late in the season, but there's always room for another Eagle on the bandwagon.