Friday Night Lights

We were on our way to dinner last night, heading towards the southeast end of town and happen to drive past the high school stadium where the teams took to the field to stretch out with forty minutes on the clock. This year we promised the Farmers that we would take them to a game and never got around to actually doing it. Guilt was settling in the pit of my stomach like a cold, fat, greasy Big Mac.

“Isn’t it late for football season?” I asked as we slowly drove by, eyes glued to the field. By the end of the block I had my answer; State playoffs. It was now; our last chance to not be slacker parents this year.

None of us were dressed warm enough to brave the November night air so decided take our time. If we showed up just before half-time, that would be perfect. We ended up making the quick jaunt back home to grab coats and a pile of blankets, Devin’s ID card, the camera, binoculars, then back to the school and in the stadium just after kickoff. The kids kept pointing out the news helicopter hovering above, “Are we on t.v.?”

Dave and I both took the time in educating them on the in’s and out’s of football. What the numbers mean, those little yellow flags and why losing yardage is not good for our team if we have the ball. There were some spectacular plays; the opposing team not only had a quarterback that could throw a mean spiral, they had the receivers and tight-ends to catch them. Chalk it up to wrestling with cows and bails of hay?

I was so excited cheering on our team who had just caught an interception, that I forgot I had hot-cocoa in my post-Halloween, black nail polished hands. It doesn’t look so bad, but you should’ve seen the rest of my sweatshirt! The play sadly ended in a fumble and the Bull’dawgs lost their momentary control, dang it.

The kids loved it and Mr. “I don’t like sports” had a good time too. Devin enjoyed seeing the 6-time and current Regional Marching Band Champions perform during half-time and said that he can’t wait until he gets to be good enough – and old enough – to join. That’s only a year and a half away! Holy Crap!!! I’ll have a high school student in a year and a half !!!!! I’m much, much too young for that! Please excuse me while I breathe into a paper bag.

In the end, our team lost respectably and it was well deserved for the victors. I’m sure we’ll be back next year, and the year after that - and after that!

Labels: Family