Some are calling it the “Mississippi Miracle.” With two seconds left in last Saturday’s (October 27) Division III conference rivalry game in Jackson, Mississippi, the Trinity University Tigers football team seemed to have little hope as they lined up for the final play of the game against the Millsaps Majors.Behind by two points and with the ball on their own 40 yard line, the Tigers had only two options – throw a long “Hail Mary” type pass into the end zone, or throw a short pass and try a series of laterals to score a touchdown. Both were high improbable options. They chose the latter.

Trinity quarterback Blake Barmore threw over the middle to wide receiver Shawn Thompson. After catching the pass near the fifty yard line, Thompson ran a few yards. Realizing he was going to be tackled, and thus end the game, Thompson lateraled to teammate Riley Curry, who ran a few yards and lateraled the ball back to Josh Hooten, a 266-pound guard. He threw a no-look pass over his shoulder and into the arms of teammate Michael Tomlin. . .

If you have not seen it…click here to watch the video via ESPN

And so this amazing play continued – the ball was passed fifteen times with seven Trinity players carrying the ball. It took sixty-two seconds, but finally Curry, who got the ball four times during this circus play, ran it into the end zone. The Tigers won by four points. It was Millsaps first conference loss of the season.

The Tigers coach, Steve Mohr, was as stunned as anyone. “Things have to go perfectly for that to work. . . We couldn’t do that against air if we tried it again.”

I have watched the replay of that never-to-be-repeated play several times. I find myself cheering for the Tigers, though I had never heard of them before a few days ago.

So here’s what I’m thinking – To finish strong requires unselfish and intentional teamwork. Team work really does make the dream work.

Your family might be your team – your co-workers – your basketball team – your close friends – your youth group – your deacon board – your classmates. . . Your team may yet be in the future. It is not yet formed.

Here are a few questions we might want to ask ourselves:

What kind of team would you like to have to accomplish your dream?

• Which member of your current team could use some encouragement today?
• If you could put a team together to do anything you’d like to do, what would that be?
• What are the purposes and goals of your team?
• About what is your team passionate?

Both teams, the Tigers and the Majors, wanted to win that game a lot. One team found a way to win. The other team. . . well here’s what their coach, Mike Dubose, said, “The worst part. . . is we had five or six guys just quit on the play.” Those five or six players thought the Tigers would never get to the end zone. So they stopped playing.

Let’s encourage our teams – let’s do what it takes – let’s pass the ball often, not caring who gets the credit. Let’s finish strong.

John M. Palmer

p.s. Have you seen the replay yet? If not, you can by clicking on the link on this blog.

What comes to your mind as your watch this amazing play?