When superstition becomes reality

I’m a pretty superstitious guy when it comes to sports. I couldn’t tell you why I re-fuse to get off of the couch until halftime during Bears games or why I have to have seltzer with lime as my beverage of choice.

I do know that since I have strayed from certain rituals the Bears have been terrible. That couldn’t be my fault, could it?

There are a matter of reasons why the Bears have been playing horrible, but I have to say after the defense stood tall to the NFC champion Seahawks last Sun-day (though they ultimately lost 26-0) there may be reason for optimism, either this season or next season…. Mark my words.

Let’s go back to my superstition. Friday, before the Mustang’s 71-0 blowout over Poplar, I pulled up to my usual parking spot, with a new-to-me song called, “Lay Up,” by Andy Mineo.

The song is basically painting a picture in which a basketball player has an open shot to win the game and he has a chance to perform the most fundamental shot in the game, a lay up.

It also points out scenarios that should be easy decisions in life.

I went to the game against Poplar thinking, this should be an easy win, or a “lay up.”

Turns out, the Mustangs were unstoppable - to a fault. It was the worst blowout I have ever seen. It was an embarrassment for anyone not on our side.

I felt bad for everybody. I felt bad for Poplar because, they got de-cleated. I felt bad for Malta because the game wasn’t even a serious challenge. I felt bad for my family because all I wanted to do after half-time was go home and kiss my wife and son goodnight. I felt bad for the Malta cheerleaders because they had to do a grand total of 424 jumping jacks.

I know our kids are super talented, but did superstition have anything to do with the drubbing?

The next night I traveled to Whitewater to cover the North Country Mavericks’ smashing of Lustre Christian.

I rolled into town listening to the same track.

The girls flogged the Lions, winning in three games and it wasn’t even close.

Again -- our kids are very talented -- but did my musical selection jinx the games?