Charlie Wilson's War is one of the more underrated historical movies made within the past decade.
The movie portrays the true story of how former U.S. Congressman Charlie Wilson worked behind the scenes to help build up the Mujahideen in Afghanistan in the late 1980s in their efforts to rid the country of the Soviet Union's armies.
Over the course of the decade, the United States privately funded the group under the idea of the Reagan Doctrine, a policy aimed at (rightfully) fighting communism around the world - no matter how big or small the battle was.
To cut the boring history lesson short: the Mujahideen eventually prevailed in the battle against the Soviet Union and eventually drove them out of Afghanistan. The victory by the group is credited with helping to bring the Cold War to an end.
However, later on, many who fought the Soviet Union eventually formed into the Taliban and the war is credited with helping establish Osama bin Laden as a hero in Islamic society.
Years later, bin Laden helped organize the September 11th attacks on New York City and Washington D.C.
There's an interesting quote in the movie from the CIA agent who was behind the American efforts to bring down the Soviets in Afghanistan:
There's a little boy and on his 14th birthday he gets a horse... and everybody in the village says, "how wonderful. The boy got a horse" And the Zen master says, "we'll see." Two years later, the boy falls off the horse, breaks his leg, and everyone in the village says, "How terrible." And the Zen master says, "We'll see." Then, a war breaks out and all the young men have to go off and fight... except the boy can't cause his legs all messed up. and everybody in the village says, "How wonderful."
The quote is used in the move to warn the United States of the possibilities of abandoning Afghanistan and leaving it under the control of the "crazies," as they are described.
This movie passage, the successful season Schlagle is having and the disappointing season Harmon is having is inspiring this post.
After the 2009 football season, Herman Ming, Isaiah Ming, James London and Jay'P London all transferred from Schlagle to Harmon.
Herman Ming was Schlagle's quarterback, his younger brother was an up-and-coming running back and the Londons were two very reliable offensive linemen for the Stallions.
The four transfers sparked some controversy in the community. They led to many accusing the Harmon program of recruiting players (they did not) and there were hurt feelings from the Schlagle side.
Two years later, the four transfers leaving were the best thing possible for the 2011 Schlagle Stallions.
Hear me out: All four of those guys who left are good to great players.
The Londons are solid linemen. Isaiah Ming is one of the three best talents in KCK this year. And everyone should know how I feel about Herman Ming. He was my Player of the Year last year and he is the only reason alive why I would ever consider rooting for the Pittsburg State Gorillas.
I have all the respect in the world possible for the Ming family.
But them leaving the Schlagle program opened up the door for the players they have now.
The 2010 season was a rough one for the Stallions.
D.J. Sayles was pushed into the quarterback position as a sophomore, J'veyon Browning had nearly 400 yards as a sophomore running back and the Londons leaving helped open the door for Stephan Mcintosh and Tyler Wallace, the two anchors of Schlagle's offensive line.
The Mings and Londons leaving the Stallions program was terrible for the 2010 team at Schlagle.
Those four players leaving were a blessing in disguise for the 2011 team.
The core of Schlagle's team would be no where at the level they are now if they did not play last year.
Thirteen sophomores saw significant varsity time last year. Browning earning those carries - carries that probably would have went to Ming last year - have prepared him to be the great player he is now. Browning is the city's player of the year right now and is on pace for a 1,800-yard, 18-TD season.
Those reps earned by Wallace and Mcintosh have helped form the best offensive line in KCK. D.J. Sayles had an additional year of leading the Stallions offense and he's a mature quarterback who can make plays when the coaching staff asks him too.
Two years ago, the Zen Master referenced in
Charlie Wilson's War should have told both programs "we'll see," as one school's fans were going nuts for a positive reason and another group of fans were upset.
It appeared the Schlagle football program had lost momentum due to the Mings and Londons leaving. Now, it's likely the Stallions could have the last laugh.
They are 5-0 this season and are on the door-step of a league title. A seven or eight win season looks likely at this point. The majority of this year's team returns for another go-around next year.
Meanwhile, Harmon had three wins last year and with Wyandotte, Turner, Bishop Miege and Mill Valley knocking at the door, the Hawks are staring at another 3-6 or 2-7 season in the face.
An overall point from this saga is the fact so much can change within a year.
That's one of the beautiful things about sports and life. One moment, things can look dark. One short year later, sunshine dominates your life.
Schlagle looks poised for two straight league titles right now. Harmon, meanwhile, has a shaky future ahead.
Then again - perhaps this time next year another vision of the future of KCK football will be there for us to talk about.
"We'll see."
