Football in the south
Football season is officially in full swing. Friday night high school football is in its second week and college football began this past Saturday. The stadiums were filled with parents, friends, and classmates this weekend. Some of the high school teams had a rough start while others have done well, but each team plays hard and tough.
Football season is one of my favorite things about fall. The aroma of grilled hot dogs and hamburgers from the concession stand, meeting up with old friends and meeting new ones at games, and listening to the marching bands play is all great fun. Football games make for a great time to spend with family, friends and classmates.
I have three brothers, Jimmy, Charlie and Bobby who played football. My oldest brother, Jimmy, was nicknamed `Moose.’ The team said he hit hard and sounded like a moose coming through the line. He is still called `Moose’ to this day by many of his high school friends. Charlie, even though he was quiet, held the line and was quick. My youngest brother, Bobby, was tall, strong, and resilient. They all enjoyed high school football and have many stories to tell.
My sisters, Mary Ellen, Carolyn and Teresa, and I were either in the band or cheerleaders. I started off playing the clarinet in the band and moved up to the flag team. My sophomore year, I moved on to be captain of the rifle team. We had a great band with Gary Taylor, our band director, leading us to win many first place trophies in band competition. Mary Ellen was a cheerleader first but decided to become a majorette later in her high school career. She was head-majorette her junior and senior year. My two youngest sisters were cheerleaders and loved it.
My dad and mom went to high school ball games for 20+ years. Getting us to practice and keeping all of us in line with our associated schedules couldn’t have been easy, especially with seven kids. My youngest sister Teresa was born the day after my oldest brothers’ first high school football game, and now her birthday kicks off the football season every year.
Football is a family tradition. My daughter, Emily, was a cheerleader at Shoals Christian in Florence, AL. It was a fun time for her and for me as a parent. Even though it was a small private school, Shoals Christian had a good team. As for many other football teams, the bond between the players was phenomenal because many of them had been playing together since grade school. It was and still is a fun way to end the work week by going and supporting your favorite team.
Marshall Academy took the big win Friday night, at their first home game, with the score 48-6 over Rossville Christian Academy. I was on the sidelines with my camera at the Holly Springs and Ripley ballgame Friday night. Ripley took the win 56-6. Byhalia lost to Lewisburg 43-12; Ashland took a beating against Mantachie 45-0; and Potts Camp lost against Kipp Collegiate 40-6. H.W. Byers was off Friday.
College football began Saturday. Families and friends gathered either at home or filled the stadiums to watch their favorite team this weekend. The south started off the season winning the first games. Ole Miss won against Troy 28-10 with the 64,038 fans in the stadium according to espn.com. Mississippi State beat Memphis 49-23; Alabama rolled over Utah State 55-0 and Auburn beat Mercer 42-16.
Football season is a tradition for many families and friends. It is a great time to get together and back the greatest teams in the south whether it be high school or college. You can’t live in the south and not like football. It’s a tradition. It’s a time for family and friends to get together to support their favorite team while enjoying good food and each other’s company.