The Boys of Fall!

The Boys of Fall!

Football...its one of my favorite words and favorite sports.  If you've never listened to Kenny Chesney's "The Boys of Fall" then you are missing out <listen here>. It captures what I think most football players feel and makes me think back to my olddddddd high school days and Friday night football games.  Something about fall, cooler weather and football that makes me a wee bit giddy. 

Friday night football magic...bright stadium lights...smell of concession foods..squeals of younger children running under the bleachers...stadium rocking..and a winning team!

My son plays High School football #71...he's 6'3 and 240 lbs and yes he plays Defensive Tackle.

Last night for the Varsity home opener he was asked to dress out for Varsity.

A HUGE honor for a JV player and he was ecstatic..floating on cloud 9.  Said it was the best night of his life but this mom hopes he has many more.

There is nothing more exciting for these boys then hearing the howl of the wolves (we are the Huskies), the smoke blowing and running out of the tunnel.  Riley said he'd never felt anything like the vibe they had before running out of the tunnel onto the field, the stadium rocking and cheering and the team doing their own special chant.  It does give you a bit of a chill and goosebumps every time you see it...and having a son playing now makes it even more special..I just can't explain the feeling but if your child plays you know what I mean.

TUSKY TERROR in action (thanks to Kate for pic)

Football is a very serious subject here where we live.  The entire school and parent base show up for every game...at home or away.  This county's football teams are scouted by some of the best colleges in the US and its very competitive.  We have many boys scouted and given full sports scholarships for college.  You don't joke about football in our town, that's just the way it is.

This group of students is known as our Tusky Terror...student fan base...they take over an entire section of the bleachers..they have blue outs, black outs, white outs & neon outs and they will travel to see their school play.  AWESOME school spirit!!  The bleachers shake when they are around!

Why is is this significant?  

Well our high school is only 4 years old...we moved here when my daughter was in 5th grade. She went to school with kids that she thought would go to high school with her.  Till they redistricted the county and changed all that.  Most of her friends went to one school while she and about 40 others went to the new school.  New cliques of kids from different middle schools all coming together to create a new school spirit and customs.  The first year was ROUGH I won't lie.  No seniors in the school, football team went 5-5 and the kids had a hard time settling in missing their friends at a high school that is NOW their rival school in sports.

Grace, Alexa & Sophia at the game showing school pride

My daughter and her BFFs (friends since 5th grade) will be in the graduating class of 2014...the first class to have attended all 4 years at the school.  And my how far this school has come and I'm proud to have my kids attend this school.  They have worked hard to create customs and traditions and rock a great school spirit.  We have all races and ethnicities represented in this school...a true mixing bowl. Great teachers, a principal that cares and takes notice and a superior sports atmosphere and staff.

Last graduating class took home over 4 million in scholarships both sports & academics...now that's amazing!

The football team has made the playoffs every year but the first year...this year we hope to go all the way.  These boys practice 12 mos of the year...their coaches CARE..encourage a family atmosphere and unity as a team.  To be a part of the team is an honor and my son felt that last night...the whole school stadium had that vibe.  Nothing like it in the world!

THIS IS OUR SCHOOL...WE ARE HERE TO WIN...WE ARE HERE TO SUCCEED

and we ARE PROUD!

The Tusky Terror - Blue Out last night

And they take up just a quarter of the stadium home bleachers...scary yes? LOL but so much fun!!

So if you are a football fan...you get this...you feel me ;)

If you like football go to a game at a local high school even if your kids are grown...support

your community...relive a bit of that Friday night football magic.  I promise you won't regret it!

We like all football...high school, college and NFL and it will take up most of our fall.

We are a family that roots for the Redskins and Ravens...the Gamecocks and Notre Dame and of course our local high school.

and of course my fave motto :)