Besides being the feast of the Immaculate Conception, in my mind, today is Matt Ericksen Day!

(Matt Ericksen #16)

Matt Ericksen is a high school senior and the son of my best friend. I am so excited for Matt and his teammates at St. Charles Catholic High School (LaPlace LA). Tonight, they play in the 2A state football championship against the #2 team in the country, John Curtis. (Everyone who follows Louisiana football knows John Curtis.)

Matt reminds me of me when I was in high school– in terms of size, but he’s been doing a ton better than I ever did athletically (no snickering, please). He’s a part of something special at St. Charles and I admire his persistence, his work ethic and the way he is growing as a young man. He’s getting to have an experience tonight that I hope he never forgets. I regret my travel schedule won’t let me be there to see the excitement in the Superdome at 7 pm.

Congrats to Matt, his teammates, coaches and the entire school community at St. Charles. I am especially proud to join in congratulating his parents, Kevin and Hollie, sister Ashley (a freshman at LSU—beautiful and brilliant), dog Phoebe (what an animal!), grandparents Warren, Faye, Ben and Carol, as well as his big fan, Aunt Kim (Go LSU!) and his entire family not only on the season they have had but also on the great family they have.

Go COMETS!