RAH, RAH, RAH...SIS BOOM BAH!

Last night, as part of my new effort to de-hermitise, we went to a football game. Beaverton's Southridge HS pitted against Portland's Grant HS...the "Skyhawks" versus the "Generals."

Most of our friends live within the boundaries for Southridge, unlike our own personal high school experience at Aloha HS (pronounced Uh-LOW-Uh...not at all the Hi-wian greeting) for Chanel, and Beverton High for Geoff...in fact, when Geoff was in school, Southridge was his arch rival...except that because we lived barely outside the school boundaries, most of his best friends were at Southridge, so he wasn't toooo arch rival-ish...fortunately for Chanel, Southridge didn't even exist when she was in school....ANYWAY! I hadn't been to a Friday night football game for a very long time...since the days of Bucky Beaver! I just love the energy and excitement they generate...the kids are all riled up, tho few of them actually watch the game, as they are too busy playing their own game of socializing...but there is just nothing quite like it...a phenomonom like very few others...maybe it's the marching band that stirs me...

A lot of our friends still have kids at Southridge, so they sort of HAVE to go to the games, but they are, every one, the kinds of parents that wouldn't miss a single minute of what their kids are involved in.....and boy, are they involved!You name it, we know 'em...Carrying the offense is Mitch Matthews, hot on defense is Kyle Rose, Peppiest cheerleader Hillary McDermott, Drum Major Tommy Williams, Spiritmonger (student body VP)McKay Garrett, and middleschooler ball boy Cody Graham
Now, I know these names only mean something to me, but when I am ninety years old, and can't remember who belonged to whom....and believe me, it happens a lot already...re-reading these names will bring wonderful memories into focus.

It couldn't have been a more perfect night to be out under the stadium lights...it was the sort of day you wish every autumn day could be...clear and warm with just the hint of fall in the turning leaves and early sundown...we sat out on TOP of our stadium blankets, not huddled UNDER them...no coats, jackets, umbrellas or tarps which are the normal accessories for outdoor football in Oregon...

Well, a fan is a fan, is a fan, is a fan....I love watching football, no two ways about it...and I get excited...so it should come as no surprise to anyone that even though the final outcome of the game didn't favor the Skyhawks, it wasn't because I didn't root for them every play, every down, every call! Who can stay seated when exciting things are happening on the field? Who can keep from yelling and cheering and hootin' and hollerin' when the action is revving up.....well, apparently not me!
This did not go un-noticed by two "band moms" sitting behind us...women we had never met....midway through the first half they leaned down and asked us "who is your player?????" uhh..OUR player?..."All of them" I said...."Which on is your family?" one asked... "Oh! None of them," I said..."REALLY???" she said...."Yup, we just like them all..." They seemed more than a little surprised as they complimented us on our "enthusiasm" and noted our strong vocal support of the home team, our "encouragement" of additional training for the ref's and even our well meaning suggestions for the opposing team....bless their hearts for noticing!

Well, in the end the Grant Generals marched all over the Skyhawks...24 to 14...but, hey, it could have been worse...the Hawks didn't execute to their potential, and after, all, Grant is rated number 4 in the Metro League...they ain't no slouches! For me, it didn't really matter who had the higher score at the end...
I just loved being out in the great atmosphere of camaraderie and support...the company of family, friends, fun, and free tickets....
The season is young, and we're looking forward to next week's game...I think they're saving our seats! In the meantime,

Lean to the Left, Lean to the Right....Stand Up, Sit Down.....
FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!!!