Sometimes a 17-point win still represents a hell of a comeback, and it did for an alumnus of Indianapolis' Roncalli High School.
Kotaku reader Trevor W. graduated from Roncalli 15 years ago, in the middle of a stretch that saw the Rebels playing in 11 Indiana state championship games over a 22 year span. But since 2005, his alma mater has won just one playoff game and is 21-20 over the past four years. Also, they've been regularly humbled by their rivals, Cathedral Irish of Indianapolis' northside. "As a former player, staff member, and coach, this weighs heavy on my heart," Trevor says.
So last year, Trevor took to NCAA Football's Teambuilder to create Roncalli's 1994 squad. "I was stoked to see that they still existed for play in 2011," he writes. "I loaded them up and then went looking for the Irish. I couldn't find a team from the time I played, so I settled for the 2009 model - a team that not only dismantled the Rebels by 45 points at Homecoming but also beat both of the teams that played for the state championship in Indiana's largest class (Warren Central and Carmel).
"Even though playing the game on Varsity skill level all but guaranteed the outcome, it was still fun to 'play' with my high school friends again and beat up on those no good cake-eaters," Trevor says.
He picked up his cell phone and took some screen grabs as NCAA 11 cycled through the highlights. "I decided to write a little smart-ass caption and post it on Facebook," he says. "Not surprisingly, it was a hit with the alumni base. Friends I hadn't talked to in a long time dropped in to comment on the thread and the 'game.'"
As someone who's put his high school in the college football game, I can attest to how much vicarious fun it all is, especially when Facebook friends who don't play video games are told their alma mater's in one, kicking the hell out of their old rivals once more.
As Athenaeus said: "No one has yet calculated how many imaginary triumphs are celebrated by people each year to keep up their courage." Well, for 2010, there's at least one:
Remember, all you have to do to get yourself featured in Box Scores' Game of the Week is take a picture of whatever you've been playing - crappy cell picture will do - write up a couple sentences about why it was so compelling, and email it to me, owenATkotakuDOTcom, with "Game of the Week" in the subject header.
Now the Kotaku Sports open thread commences with the sports TV schedule for today and tomorrow. All times are U.S. Eastern.
- Baseball
Fox's game of the week is either Boston at New York (much of the nation) or Texas at Oakland (those less fortunate) 4 p.m. Or you can watch the Chisox kick the crab out of Baltimore on WGN at 7.
Tomorrow, TBS has the Giants at the Braves, 1:30 p.m.; WGN has the Reds at the Cubs, 2:10 and ESPN's Sunday Night game is the Red Sox at Yankees, 8 p.m. - Football
On Sunday in the MLS, New York takes on Chicago at 9 p.m. on ESPN2. - Handegg
Saturday, the Pro Football Hall of Fame willindictinduct seven, including Russ Grimm, Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, John Randle and a long overdue Floyd Little. ESPN, 7 p.m.
Sunday, the Bengals and the Cowboys play in the Hall of Fame Game, 8 p.m. on NBC. - Horse racing
The Hambletonian is the most famous harness race I know. It's also the only harness race I know. The standardbreds run - or, well, trot - at 3 p.m. on NBC. - Car racin'
Sunday, NASCAR's Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips 400 is on ESPN at 1 p.m. This is up at Watkins Glen, so, they'll be turning right in addition to left. Also Sunday, the Honda Indy 200 is on Versus, 2:30 p.m. - Tennis
The dudes have the semis of the Legg Mason Clasic at 7 p.m.. The ladies are in the semis of the Mercury Insurance Open at 10. Both are on ESPN2. Tomorrow, both tournaments run their finals, dudes at 3 p.m., womenfolk at 5 p.m., also on ESPN2.
- Golf
Tomorrow, the final round of the Bridgestone Invitational is on CBS at 1 p.m.
Remember, you may send Game of the Week nominations to owenATkotakuDOTcom, and flag it "Game of the Week" in the subject header. Please include your commenter handle for proper credit.