It feels like just yesterday that I walked back into the Tribune Chronicle after an 18-month hiatus. But never fear, I am back and now even in charge. A woman running a sports department? That's right folks. It was about time we got some female blood running the show here.
All kidding aside, these past three months have absolutely flown by as I swear just yesterday I was putting together the High School Football Preview. As the saying goes, the high school football season is the fastest 10 weeks of the year, and before I even have had time to blink and starting putting up the pink drapes in the sports department, we are now knocking on the door of the winter sports' seasons.
But before we start talking about basketballs, swimming pools and wrestlers on the mat, there is still high school football to be played. And there might be no bigger week on the schedule than this week for the Brookfield Warriors.
Coach Randy Clark and company have put together a flawless record - one even this sports editor didn't know to be possible - and are the last Trumbull County school going in the playoffs.
Their first "on paper" test was in Week 3 against Campbell. The Red Devils are always a quality team and were seeking revenge from when the Warriors defeated them in 2011. But Brookfield didn't let that happen, as it rolled to a 58-20 victory.
Then came Week 5 against an also undefeated John F. Kennedy team. No problem there as the Warriors shut out the Eagles, 35-0.
Then there was the final test - and perhaps the biggest game of the regular season - as Brookfield hosted Youngstown Christian. These Eagles, who are still alive in the Division VI playoffs, were shut down by the Warriors, as Brookfield eased to a 33-7 win. At the time of this victory, Youngstown Christian was allowing around 10 points per contest.
After that, I was a believer - this team is the real deal.
Led by a twin pair of Quinlans (quarterback Jeremy and linebacker Jimmy), a stud running back in Ryan Mosora and a defense that is just stifling, the Warriors have got back to exactly where they wanted to be - in a rematch with Creston Norwayne in the Division IV, Region 13 final.
This game is worthy of a Week 15 game at Canton's Fawcett Stadium. And if the Warriors have their way, it will be sweet revenge from last year's loss.
Since losing to the Bobcats in the first round of the playoffs in 2011, the Warriors have had the score of that game, 42-7, displayed in their locker room. The score reminds them every day of how their season ended last year.
Can the Warriors avenge the loss? Can they knock off the defending Division IV state champions? Time and the week will only tell. But I will go and say this, whoever wins this game could very well be hoisting the state title trophy on November 30.
Mike McLain, the most veteran member of this sports department, told me after the Youngstown Christian game they were absolutely the real deal and could go all the way.
If the Warriors do beat Norwayne, and head down the road to win the school's first title since 1978, it will be a sweet way to end the football season - one that flew by in the blink of an eye.
Sulonen is the sports editor of the Tribune Chronicle. E-mail her at dsulonen@tribtoday.com