12TH MAN PALMDALE TAKES MEMORY OF TEAMMATE ON PLAYOFF RIDE.Byline: Lee Barnathan Staff Writer PALMDALE - Members of the Palmdale High football team live to play another game, which is what G-MAC would have wanted. So there's little time to reminisce rem·i·nisce intr.v. rem·i·nisced, rem·i·nisc·ing, rem·i·nisc·es To recollect and tell of past experiences or events. [Back-formation from reminiscence. about their teammate, little time to savor the upset of the top-seeded team. There are preparations to be made for their Southern Section semifinal. They place a helmet dedicated to their teammate on a 10-foot wooden stand, where it watches over the players as they practice. At games, it is placed on a shorter stand and every player touches it as he takes the field. After huddles, they yell two cheers: ``Champions!'' and ``G-MAC!'' ``It makes us think we're doing it for him,'' one player said, ``so we've got to play our hearts out.'' The memory of teammate George McIntyre, who drowned July 20 in Littlerock Reservoir, has helped propel the Falcons (9-3) into the semifinals for the first time since 1988. They play Valencia (10-2) in a Division III
Division III (or DIII) is a division of the National Collegiate Athletic Association of the United States. matchup at 7:30 p.m. Friday at College of the Canyons College of the Canyons is one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the state. According to the National Junior College Research Association, College of the Canyons consistently ranks in the top 50 community colleges in the nation. . A victory puts Palmdale in its first final in its 41-year history. Other Palmdale teams have had the talent to reach the semifinals, but either injuries, ineligible or underachieving players have dashed those teams' hopes. The difference this year, players and coaches say, is the Falcons are healthy, everyone's grades are up and the players are reaching their potential. Plus, the playoff draw was favorable. Players say it was better to play top-seeded Notre Dame Notre Dame IPA: [nɔtʁ dam] is French for Our Lady, referring to the Virgin Mary. In the United States of America, Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks, which they beat 14-7 in the quarterfinals, than No. 2-seeded Hart of Newhall. And, there's G-MAC. McIntyre was a 5-foot-4, 136-pound running back who would have been a senior this season. Teammates described him as a friendly guy who rarely was without a smile or a quip quip n. 1. A clever, witty remark often prompted by the occasion. 2. A clever, often sarcastic remark; a gibe. See Synonyms at joke. 3. A petty distinction or objection; a quibble. 4. . One of his primary loves was football, and he never let his size prevent him from succeeding on the field. Last season, he rushed 29 times for 123 yards and a touchdown. This season, he was to be a team captain and starter. Friends also say McIntyre often was in search of fun. He tried to get as many of his teammates as possible to join him for some swimming in Littlerock Reservoir that July day. Derek Hagan Derek Steven Hagan, Jr. (born September 21, 1984 in Northridge, California) is an American football wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Dolphins in the third round (82nd overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft. was one who did. He remembers watching McIntyre splashing about before going under water and thinking he was joking. Only McIntyre didn't come up for air. Sheriff's deputies said McIntyre experienced difficulty swimming and drowned. Two friends tried unsuccessfully to save him, then swam to shore and called 911. It took about an hour for divers to find his body in the murky 30-foot- deep waters "Deep Waters" is a short story by P. G. Wodehouse, which first appeared in the United States in the March 25 1910 issue of Collier's Weekly, and in the United Kingdom in the June 1910 issue of the Strand. at the north end of the reservoir. McIntyre was taken to Antelope Valley This article is about the Los Angeles County region. For the census-designated place in Wyoming, see Antelope Valley-Crestview, Wyoming. The Antelope Valley Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The tributes came almost immediately. Within two days, two players - including McIntyre's younger brother Wiki is aware of the following uses of "'Younger Brother":
``I look at it all the time,'' LaRon said. ``I reach out and grab it. Not a day goes by I don't look at it (and say), 'Miss you. Love you.' '' The Falcons weren't able to wrest wrest tr.v. wrest·ed, wrest·ing, wrests 1. To obtain by or as if by pulling with violent twisting movements: wrested the book out of his hands; wrested the islands from the settlers. the Golden League title from Antelope Valley this season. However, they've been at their best when it counts: They upset Beverly Hills Beverly Hills, city (1990 pop. 31,971), Los Angeles co., S Calif., completely surrounded by the city of Los Angeles; inc. 1914. The largely residential city is home to many motion-picture and television personalities. in the first round of the playoffs after falling behind and stunned Notre Dame last week in the quarterfinals. ``George is our 12th man on the field,'' Williams said. ``The kids carry his spirit through these football games.'' That spirit will be very much alive Friday in a game the Falcons consider fitting because of three coincidences: George McIntyre wore uniform No. 13, this is the 13th week of the season and Valencia eliminated Palmdale in the first round last year, George's last game. Lineman Jason McGaughy has a saying: ``If your hands are tired, do it for George. If your feet are heavy, do it for George. If your head hurts, do it for George.'' CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1 -- color) Palmdale's football team has rallied around the memory of former teammate George McIntyre, who drowned last summer. (2) ``George is our 12th man on the field. The kids carry his spirit through these football games.'' - Jeff Williams For the poker player, see . For the physician, see . For the astronaut, see . Jeff Williams (born June 6, 1972 in Canberra) is an Australian-born, left-handed pitcher for the Hanshin Tigers baseball team. , Palmdale High football coach Evan Yee/Staff Photographer |
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