Plexico & Picasso

8 February 2022Coach TCH (Toby Collis Handford)

There exists a chasmic gulf between proficiency and artistry. While one can work for countless months on understanding the technique of brushstrokes, this will not always equate to becoming a successful artist — or an artist at all for that matter. Consequently, it is the escapability of high art that is so profoundly rewarding to witness — but it is the exact same escapability that makes it so rare.

Artistry is not earned; it is perceived.

Thus, when a quarterback scans the field of play and their perception finds a wide open receiver — it’s so much more than a well-run route: it is art.

Such artistry was on display last Sunday during the rainy showdown that was the Staff vs Student SuperBowl. Several intrepid staff members braved the cold weather, unobservant of the fact that the cascading raindrops were a harbinger of the touchdowns that would soon flood into their end zone. Inexplicably, the staff did not account for the fact that the students had been training for football games like this for months.

The game was over before it began.

While the staff proved themselves capable of running proficient routes, it was the students that proved themselves capable of artistry.

Flashback to a freezing day in early January: Flag Football Captain Alana H, Hope, 23 was told that she would catch the first pass of the Superbowl. Practice makes prophecy. She did. She made the second too. And the third. Her dominant efforts were rewarded with double coverage, which freed Brother Balaclava himself – Oliver C, Ellis, 22 for the game’s opening touchdown. Good luck guarding either of those two 1 v 1.

If route-running is art, then this game proved to be a masterpiece. With three more touchdowns from Norbert M, Rogers 24, Connor W, Whittall 24, and Jack S, Whittall 2), the students went in to halftime up 28-0. Like a

Thanks to the energetic efforts of soccer skills coach Noel P, the staff team would mount a cute comeback, only to be immediately answered by four more touchdowns from Oliver (again), Norbert (again), Nicholas L, Rogers 24, and Jago N, Rogers 23.

A 56-21 final score left no doubt in the eyes of all that came to support: Brentwood Flag Football is a programme destined to have its own jerseys.

The student team would like to thank the staff team for their keen and sporting efforts; we appreciate you!

I leave you all with one, unanswerable question: what really is the difference between Picasso and Plexico?

Coach TCH (Toby Collis Handford)