Gates, NY
9:40 PM
I just got back from a high school football game. My friend is one of the assistant coaches for the offense. I hadn’t been to a game this year and the sectionals/playoffs began today. I told him I’d try to make it, weather permitting. I don’t have kids, so if it rains and I’m not playing, I’m not going.
It turned out to be a perfect night for football. The day was grey, misty and around 60. The night temp was close to 50 but it felt colder because it was damp.
I went to dinner with my folks. They go every Friday with their friends. I am asked often, but it is too early for me. Eating at 6 does not cut it when I plan on being up until 2. I had my fish fry and soup. I dragged my dad to the game. I didn’t want to be the lone wolf, especially at a HS game. HS days come back to you. I can’t do anything by myself, how uncool. I even made my dad carry the blanket from the car to the stands. I am glad he accepted the task. It was cold.
My buddy’s team was Churchville (3-3) and they were playing at Gates (4-2). They had a running back who was pretty good, he signed to go to Pittsburgh, the college, not the Steelers. He wasn’t as big as I expected.
The first half was sloppy, with Churchville having 3 turnovers and some costly penalties, especially the running into the punter. They were down 14-7 at half. I text messaged my buddy and told them to get it their playmakers more (24, the RB, and 28, his younger brother and WR). I doubt he got the message, but they sure listened.
The second half was all Churchville. The brothers combined for 5 TD’s and they won 42-27. It was action packed, with long runs, and some deep passes. It was fun to be in the crowd. Everyone was fired up and the included my dad and I.
I still don’t get adults sometimes. This is the HS playoffs. The students from Churchville, maybe 100 of them, had over taken a corner of the stands for the start of the second half. They came to bring the noise, a huge boost to a team on the road. There was one group of adults who had sat at the top of the stands, they could not see through the students. A verbal lashing came from above with the focus being, “Sit Down!”
I said to me, “C’mon man, this is their game, not yours. Move somewhere else. Get the stick out of your…” People don’t remember back to when we were them. I don’t get it. Let them be kids. Let them show their emotion.
The kids did as they were told. They sat down. After a few plays they moved across the field, to an empty space vacated by the Gates band. We heard them the entire second half. And those people got to keep their seats.
The game ended and my dad and I wondered how many yards 24 had. We knew he had a lot of touches. I said that he had over 150 yards and at least 20 carries. I was correct. And then some. He had 277 yards on 37 carries. My dad and were glad we went. I think I’m going to the next game too.
HS sports. No money, no nothing, just love of the game. It doesn’t get more passionate than that.
Time to go meet some friends…