Strike First, Strike Hard, No Mercy. Well that is the Cobra Kai mantra but that is not what we did last Friday night in our biggest game of the season against the Swim N Fun. The stage was set for a big showdown for second place and a clear path to the championship game. The Kai were primed and ready…..but we did not follow through for some reason on the field. I think everyone was gearing up for Neil’s big blowout birthday and the obligatory pie in the face at gators.

Swim N Fun jumped out to an early lead and they never looked back. Not much to write about from the game as once the Swimmers jumped out to their lead it appeared the Kai could not match their intensity level. The Swim knew they were playing one of the most elite teams in the league and they were not about to let that opportunity slip by.

“I wanted this game so bad, I was going to give everything I had and then some” Said the Swami after the game. Well, the Swami did that as he provided some pop for the team offensively and even smacked an in the park home run to try and spark a Cobra Kai rally. Well, unfortunately the team did not respond.

Most of us know the legendary packers Coach Vince Lombardi's famous quote: "Winning isn't everything; it's the only thing".

While he always put that kind of emphasis on winning, most of us don't know that he also said: "If you can't accept losing, you can't win." While we all like to win much more than we like to lose, in order to play and be a part of something greater, we have to be willing to take the risk that we might lose. It has to be accepted that losing is a natural a part of participating and of winning.

Well, the beauty of the Cobra Kai spirit is that we get to live again to fight another day. And that day comes this Friday as we take on our mini-rivals the Goonies. The team will use this loss as a learning tool and grow from it and we will have our chance for revenge in the playoffs.

“There were things said after the game that were tried to use to motivate the team, but when it’s all said and done were a family and the family that plays softball together stays together” Thus, the team will move on from Friday’s nights loss and become stronger together” Said Capt. Tucci after the game.

Well, the team certainly kept their championship pace at Gators as the Kai downed a record breaking 47 pitchers in celebration of Capt. Tucci’ 30th Birthday. Oil Can Spragues even successfully used a 300 lb lineman to sneak up on the Old Man Tucci and to complete the Pie in the Face tradition. Good Times.

I will see You under the Friday Night Lights!