Halfway between Huygens and Diablo Mountain College was the Treasure Island Naval Station, located in the middle of the Bay Bridge. Instead, last year, Griff suggested meeting Larry, Coach of the Diablo Mountain Wolves, in Rockridge, where he planned to ply Larry with mocha lattes, French croissants, and custard cream Brioche. This year, Larry suggested meeting at the Rockridge Cafe, where he planned to disarm Griff with Breakfast Carnitas Tacos or Chorizo Benedict.

Last year, the Wolves beat Huygens by only one point "I was concerned about that narrow one point victory," Larry said, "but, watch this". He passed Griff the film of his team's slaughter of the Clairemont Swifts. Griff responded with a film of Huygens victory over Humboldt. Huygens 27 - Humboldt 10. He ordered ricotta waffles with bacon; watched with horror as scrambled eggs on home fries, the whole topped with cheese, green and red peppers, and deep fried onion rings were triumphantly delivered on Larry's plate.

The conversation turned to shared experiences of career ending knee injuries. For Larry, this had occurred early -- at Arizona State, just when he was positioned to step into the lead Quarterback position. Subsequently, as Diablo Mountain Head Football Coach, Larry built a team that year after year led the area D3 standings. No upstart new coach, who had made it as far as the Raiders, was going to interfere with another perfect season for the Wolves, Larry, who had mashed all the ingredients on his plate together, informed Griff. Griff responded by ordering a second side of bacon. "Last year scoring against your Defense was difficult," he said to Larry. "But, we are already working on this."

arrow Last year's game film exchange was collegial. This year, it was less friendly. Nevertheless, there was a mutual respect, and both coaches had senior players who -- not always expected in D3 teams -- were headed for the NFL draft. "Let's limp down College Avenue and go shopping for our wives", the legendary coach of the top-ranked Diablo Mountain Wolves suggested.