Prepare for the New Year

We can look back on this year and talk about some really good things that happened and several others that weren’t so hot. I think it is important to focus on the good things and learn from the things that weren’t so hot and make the most out of the lives we live.

We can look back on some of the great people that passed away this year. We know friends and family that made our lives special and our community a better place to live.

We need to focus on how great they were to be around. We miss them but also must realize how much of a void there would have been in our lives had we not known them.

It’s interesting to note that all communities lost these people this past year and we need to carry on recognizing how valuable our communities are.

Our local college football teams made us proud. I’m not sure when EWU, UW, UI and WSU all played in the post season in the same year. But here they are at the end of 2016.

The EWU Eagles lost a heartbreaker almost two weeks ago which I told you about last week. The U of I Vandals knocked off Colorado State in a wild Famous Idaho Potato Bowl that I think needs to be renamed the ‘Tater Bowl’ and the Cougs are in the Holiday Bowl facing off with the Minnesota Golden Gophers which is being played after this column is written.

I’m sure everyone heard about the problems that happened at UM with the suspension of 10 players from the team.

It looks like the players realized they weren’t going to look very good in the eyes of the sporting world if they continued their boycott. I think UM has some issues that really need to be taken care of and soon.

The UW Huskies are in the semi-final game of the NCAA FBS game against the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Huskies are underdogs but if any Coach can put together a winning game plan in a high profile bowl game it is the Huskies’ Coach Chris Peterson.

This should be a good one and if the Huskies have any sort of chance to win this game they need to keep the game close throughout the four quarters.

The Huskies can’t afford to get behind by double digits in the fourth quarter against a physically tough Alabama squad.

But it should be worth everyone’s time to watch it on Saturday.

Remember, Alabama is the defending NCAA champion and many people have already figured that we will be watching a rematch of last year’s Alabama – Clemson game. I know that the Huskies and Ohio State will have something to say about that. Both games should be good ones to watch.

The Seattle Seahawks have their work cut out for them after another ‘come up short against a division rival’ game on Christmas Eve. It is going to be difficult because of injuries to key players on both sides of the ball and inconsistent offensive line play. It isn’t easy to get great in a couple of weeks but that is what is needed for success.

I know we would, or at least most of us would like to see the Hawks go back to the Super Bowl but it is really difficult to get there with all the talented teams in the NFL. Last year’s two teams won’t even be making it to the playoffs, which doesn’t happen often.

Lastly, after losing two great players to the NBA, the Gonzaga Bulldogs are having a season for the ages. They went 12-0 in their non-conference schedule and this team is deep and talented.

Their wins haven’t always been blowouts and several teams have come back late in games to make the final result in doubt in the last couple of minutes. But these guys have made some spectacular plays late and have come up big on defense.

It looks like a couple of teams have made big improvements in the WCC so it will once again be tough on the Zags whenever they play on the road for sure. But that is a good thing for Gonzaga to be pushed by conference foes. Those types of games will help when the NCAA tournament kicks off again.

We have a lot to prepare for in the New Year. We wish our favorite teams’ success and highlight the quality of teams that we have in our neck of the woods.

We need to wish for good things in our communities as well. When we lose great people, which we always will, others will need to step up to make a difference.

Happy New Year from the Worst Seat in the House!