Hey, filmmakers. If I told you I had the script for the next big inspiring sports movie, is that something you would be interested in?
Here’s the pitch: upstart upstate New York public school soccer team defies the odds with grit and know-how, led by a local boy who came out of nowhere to lead the team in goal. It’s a tie game — season on the line — in the conference semifinals with said unproven local boy in goal, facing penalty kicks for the first time in his collegiate career.
Let’s add some spice to the scenario and make the other team a rich preppy one from New England and the only team to beat the local kid’s team in conference play.
Unproven local kid looks nervous at first, missing his blocks, not instilling too much faith. But that’s where his teammates come in, making their penalty kicks, each one more dramatic than the last. The heroic public school players can’t seem to miss! All the kid needed was one block — one block to be a hero in a game in which his team never led.
That is what Jason Stenta faced on Wednesday. The season on the line, the season in his hands. To make matters worse, Boston was sending out the most evil player on the team to shoot.
Paul Mignogna played the entire game with his collar popped; he took dives and drew the ire of the Binghamton faithful, who repeatedly told him to unpop his collar.
Oh yeah, and Mignogna hails from Tarrytown, N.Y., better known as Sleepy Hollow, very well the most evil place in the continental 48 states.
The evil preppy kid stood on the field and stared down the local kid. He ignored the boos and the chants. The preppy kid, obviously not realizing he was part of a movie, felt confident that he would score. He had counted on everything, but the one thing he hadn’t counted on was … destiny. (I’m getting goosebumps!)
The goalie didn’t need the confidence; he knew it was time to make a save; the hopes and dreams of the public school rested with him.
Yeah, this one has all the makings of a Hollywood ending. Local kid steps up, leaps with perfect timing to his right and sends evil preppy kid home to cry and summon the spirits of dead horsemen.
Cue die-hard fans of upstate public school rushing the field and screaming. And then we have the hero breaking off from the hoards of screaming fans that have rushed the field, walking over to the sidelines looking for his loved ones and then embracing on the sidelines.
Wow, I’m tearing up already. So, Disney or Miramax or whoever it is that makes movies now-a-days, if you’re interested, you know where to find me …
… at West Gym Field on Saturday at 1 p.m., because the local boy and his Bearcats, are in the finals, shooting part two. Here’s to hoping this is one sequel that’s actually on par with the original.