Friday Night Lights

Tonight’s the night Friday night football starts in the Prairie state and across the country players are ready for the big game, some are nervous, some are confident, some have college invites on the line—all based on their first few games of a very short season. The kids are ready, but are the parents? I was one of the parents that couldn’t wait for the game—there’s so much that goes though your mind—will my kid make big plays? Will he not let something bad happen to his team? And of course can all these kids make it though this game healthy? I live in a football factory town, you get involved young and you know most of the teammates from flag football right up to high school. That’s what makes this town special—the families, the functions, the kids that become part of you.

My Cassie is a Bulldog, she will be a four-year three sport athlete, something seldom done in her school; her goal is to get the “golden bulldog award.” Something about this town, these coaches, and this school make you want to do the best for them. But back to the parents, your kids have trained all summer for this, they are more ready than you are. While you watch these kids, understand how fast this time goes, understand that nowhere in your athletes career will he be coached and treated this well, and the chances of a D-1 school are slim. So take it in, enjoy the lifelong friends you are making.

I have no skin in the game for Batavia football tonight—they are playing a big fast East St. Louis school loaded with talent. They may be the best football team in the state but this team chose to play them because Batavia football is straight up 100% badass! I shouldn’t be sitting here with angst when I have no kid on the field but I do, that’s what Bulldog culture does, it makes you love these kids. I used to sit with the dads just under the booth that Rudy, “voice of the Bulldogs” calls the game from with Glen Albanese, and Dick Anderson’s entire family and we have a blast. As a matter of fact I have to give those guys a call and set up the after game meeting at the Batavia Moose club!

Go Bulldogs and safe plays to all the kids that are playing this weekend!

RR