The old line of no cheering in the press box holds true for many, but I have to admit I was rooting under my breath on the sidelines Saturday and said more than one spirited "Yeah!" as the game was put on ice and the hard-working 'Cats earned a ticket to the big dance.
I'm still a new resident in this town — I feel a little like I am showing up at someone else's house for supper empty-handed. But I will eat anyway — set me a place at this celebration table.
My wife and kids said they were not bashful in the least of jumping on the blue and gold bandwagon. My wife, who works at Sulphur Springs High School, knows many of the players and is overjoyed, like many fans, over the accomplishments of this team.
I watched this team work out in 98-degree heat in August, but I couldn’t imagine that the season would still be rolling in week 16, dang near at Christmas.
While this is the first trip to the state finals for Sulphur Springs in football, I have covered a few big dances before.
I was lucky enough to get on the train and ride with Class A Alto in back-to-back state titles. I also have been to the state basketball tournament with Jacksonville and Troup. I have seen the happy faces and shattered hopes which come on the spirited fields of athletic competition. I was told by another coach when I took this job that I just attracted good quarterbacks. While Tyrik Rollison is leading the Wildcats, I was fortunate enough in Jacksonville to cover the McCown brothers, Randy, Luke and Josh. Two of them are in the NFL right now. I had no part in their success, but they were fun to watch.
Sulphur Springs has a long and storied history of success in football. I was just lucky enough to come along this magical year.
I traced Sulphur Springs playoff games and scores back to 1922. Never has anything like this happened. The stars had to be aligned correctly, I guess, for this time in this year to get this chance.
Or maybe it is the superstitions. I admit to being superstitious. So is my wife and many of the folks at the games. Their attitude is "if it worked last week, don't rock the boat.”
So they wear the same clothes, or sit in the same place. In a few days I might be changing my name from Don to "Shaggy" Wallace — my wife won't let me get my hair cut, all part of the superstitions. Another lady at the game had to wear the same scarf she wore before. Nobody wants to jinx the good luck.
I have my own pre-game routine at every playoff game. It’s what I did at the Alto games, and it worked for the Yellowjackets as they went 28-0 on a two-year run that I covered.
So I will keep that going. I feel like that is worth at least two rabbits’ feet and a four-leaf clover.
What makes this whole experience so wonderful, however, is that Sulphur Springs is so deserving. This is a nice, football-loving community with a talented team led by a hard-working coach in Greg Owens.
Owens and his staff outwork other teams; they are ready for anything at anytime. The team members are unselfish and care about team goals. They have been a pleasure to watch.
This has been very exciting as the team and town build to a fever pitch before heading off to San Antonio.
Last person to leave town, turn out the lights.
Show/hide comments
written by Jeff Cunningham , December 20, 2008
written by Jeff Cunningham , December 20, 2008
written by Cindy Roller , December 18, 2008
PS If I have to I will remember to bring my barber's scissors to work on Monday and take care of Shaggy!
Show/hide comment form
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
