Ponderous thoughts I was pondering ...

Glen Farley (left) and me,  on the job in the Macktaz Field press box. 

Ponderous thoughts I was pondering while noting the disappearance of the sun on weekends now that Labor Day has come and gone ...

** It's definitely fun to be back behind the microphone for King Philip sports on behalf of North Attleborough Community Television (North TV). I've done one football game (KP 35, BC High 22) and one boys' soccer game (KP 3, Stoughton 0), and I have a pair of soccer games to do next week (see the schedule in the column to the left of this entry on my desktop view). In al, I'll be doing at least 12 events at KP and Tri-County through this fall season, not counting the possibility of football playoff games.

I will admit to being a little rusty on the calls, as I did only three football games and a smattering of volleyball in the "fall 2" season in March and April, then only one game apiece for softball and baseball -- both of which I'd love to do more. I do believe I've improved at football, although I still get a little absent-minded and insert the wrong player's name in a call, or miscalculate the line of scrimmage. I imagine the latter makes me sound like a real idiot, although I would admonish viewers to remember that you're seeing a much better picture on your TV than my view in the press box. I don't have a monitor, either -- the KP crew consists of me, my analyst Glen Farley, and our cameraman, Scott Tooker, who's on the roof of the Macktaz Field press box.

But to be honest, I think the lack of a monitor has made me work harder to improve. I don't have the luxury of seeing a replay and possibly being able to correct myself, so I have to try to pay better attention. And as I watch pro games very closely these days to pick up announcing tips, I've noticed that even the best of the play-by-play guys (even with their monitors and spotters talking into their earpieces) make occasional flubs on-air. So I'm not going to beat myself up too much for my occasional goofs.

This is my third season doing play-by-play and my fourth overall with North TV, and yes, I wish I could do more work. We're not doing the road games this year except for Thanksgiving Day at Franklin. And I won't be doing this Friday's game at KP against North Attleboro because when the Rocketeers are involved, North TV sends the North Attleboro-based crew (Jared Ware, Del Malloy, and the control truck and multiple cameras). Glen and I won't be back in the booth until Oct. 8 against Attleboro, but we'll have a stretch of three games in four weeks including the surprising Milford Scarlet Hawks on Oct. 15 and the Mansfield Hornets on Oct. 29. 

But I will go to the games I'm not announcing because I compile notes for my use during the games I am calling. That's why I'm glad I was able to take in last night's 30-6 win over Needham. It was misty and I was sitting in my camping chair about three-quarters of the way up a steep hill (no press box and very few stands at Needham Memorial Park), but I'm glad I didn't miss the promised debut of the Charlie Grant-Tom McLeish platoon at quarterback.

Grant is the starter and a solid game-manager. But as a change of pace, KP coach Brian Lee inserts McLeish, the 6-3 sophomore, behind center on passing downs. And sometimes, Grant shifts to wide receiver to take advantage of his athleticism and keep an experienced veteran on the field.

Friday night, it worked like a charm. McLeish threw TD passes of 37 and 55 yards to Grant to totally demoralize the Rockets. And later in the game, Grant threw a 4-yard TD pass to Jonathan Joseph to put the finishing touches on the win. You can bet other Hockomock League coaches will be spending more time in film viewing trying to counter that.

And how about the 40-yard field goal by junior Matthew Kelley? That had legs to be good from 47-50 yards. This kid could have a bright future ahead if he continues to develop his kicking skills.

Anyway, it's been great to be back to football. And if you should be interested in watching any of these King Philip games (they're all live-streamed), go to NorthTV.net, scroll down to the live-streaming box and choose the Plainville Channel option.

** Soccer, however, is another thing.

Don't get me wrong, I'm learning to appreciate the sport as played by the local high schools. And it was very satisfying to call the KP boys' first win of the year after two losses -- even if I did get the first goal wrong. Two out of three ain't bad, I guess, but I could really use that monitor when the goals are scored in close quarters.

However, I was at a disadvantage. I was working the game alone, which isn't normal procedure.

We have a local soccer official who lends his expertise to most of North TV's soccer telecasts as an analyst, but an unfortunate scheduling mix-up left me on my own on Wednesday. Now it's true, I do love the sound of my own voice -- but even I feel badly for the folks that had to listen to nothing but me during that hour and a half.

I listened to my efforts before writing this column, and I know the effort would have been improved greatly by some actual soccer knowledge. As I admitted during the telecast, I don't watch much of the sport except during the men's and women's World Cups because I appreciate those tournaments as the best that the sport has to offer. But for the most part, even with a measure of cramming, I'm still a little perplexed by the nuances -- and that's where a very good analyst comes in. 

I can guide the telecast through most of the action, but to fully explain what you're seeing, I rely heavily upon all my analysts. And without one? Well, let's just say that even my formidable bullshitting skills were severely tested. Hopefully, my games on Monday and Wednesday will go much more smoothly.

Are they selling Del's Lemonade? 

** I'm watching the Red Sox as I type this, and those ugly yellow uniforms they claim to be a tribute to the Boston Marathon are no less ugly today.

Remember when "uniform" meant everyone wore the same thing? I blame Nike. They've screwed up every sport at every level where they have the contract by cranking out all these alternative uniforms,

** I wasn't there, but that Mansfield vs. North Attleboro football game at Community Field must have been a gem to watch. The Hornets, playing North for the first time in six years because of the league's divisional split, defeated the Rocketeers 31-29 after two overtime possessions. I can't wait to see the replay on North TV -- and I hope both schools can find a way to keep the rivalry going in the years to come.

** Just a reminder that I did predict on camera that Mac Jones would be the starting quarterback of the Patriots from Day One. It was on an episode of "Up for Discussion," North TV's panel talk show, recorded back in May. Just don't ask me if I fully believed what I was saying -- after all, I had a 50-50 chance to be correct.

It just seemed logical that drafting a quarterback at No. 15 overall would make a change inevitable. Plus, Cam Newton's reluctance to be vaccinated for COVID did not sit well with the powers-that-be ... that, and his penchant for walking to the beat of a different drummer. He was a bridge and the Patriots stayed on the road ahead after passing over it, simple as that.

I thought Jones played well in the opener against Miami. He could have been better, yes. But he's the right man for the job right now. And it would help if his running backs could hold onto the goddam football!

** Time to mow the lawn. I hate the end of summer, but at least my knees will get a much-deserved break once the grass goes dormant. See you at the ballparks ...