Introduction
Last week there were issues facing me that demanded actions discussing events yet to take place. Therefore I wrote my Wednesday Sports Column and sent it to Alex even before the late week sports (softball game and football games) had even taken place. And I could not care less whether Brazil or Germany (or whoever was playing) won the gold medal in soccer. As a disclaimer I share with you the words I began that “pre-written” column when I thought I would not have opportunity to write Wednesday’s column.
Out of necessity I write this column for the first time before the athletic events of a weekend. Still, there is much to say and about which I can comment. My good friend and our outstanding Sport’s Editor Alex Farrer will report the news relevant to the performances of our schools in weekend games. I did hang around long enough to hear Dave Stokes and Ronnie Reeves broadcast the Calhoun Lady Jacket’s victory over Ringgold: Now for an item or two of philosophy and opinion.
From that point I modify my remarks in that composition as I write:
Most exciting day in High School football
It is affirmed here that the most exciting day in high school football is not the events involved in the first game. Rather, it is the Thursday before that opening date that provides a feeling of excitement for coaches, players, parents and fans that is peculiar to the game of football.
Much I wrote in the “unused” column was philosophical in nature. Let me get down to the heart of the matter and explain the defining characteristics of this “day before” the opening game. The day is a day of great division and distinction. The long offseason weeks of strength and conditioning are primarily ended. The days of preparation for hitting day-after-day ends and a new era begin. In fact a long five-day week of the drudgery of learning assignments and the practice of fundamentals ends. These words do not suggest no teaching and learning take place after the first game. Rather, with great anticipation. Of course, the feature event was the induction of seven new members to be added to the inaugural 14 from the 2015 Class.
It was with great familiarity the performances and accomplishments of this class had been studied before the banquet and even more so since the event. The article written in the Calhoun Times by Alex Farrer covering the banquet and the statements each inductee made with sentiments expressed was a matter to impress anyone interested in and familiar with athletic competition.
Let mename them again: Maude Chattam, Michael Durham, Zeke McDaniel, Helen Jane McDonald, Kenneth Moore, Mike Nance, and Matthew Pitts. What a group with outstanding credentials they brought to the table. I admire them all.
It is strongly recommended that each person interested in this countywide endeavor do whatever possible to obtain a copy of last Wednesday’s (Aug. 17) Calhoun Times. Read about past athletes from Gordon County and their outstanding performances and contributions both here and far beyond our borders. All will be proud.
Also, the Banquet program book is a masterpiece and all at the banquet received one. Obtain one and preserve it. It, too, will make you proud. The leaders of the Board of Directors are to be commended for their outstanding job.
To our citizens: It is not too early to begin thinking about and collecting data of nominees for the 2017 class. Here is both a hope and prayer I will be here to be a part of it.
The football game that changed a wedding date
We go far back into the 1979 Red Bud High football season for the elements of this section. It was the first head-coaching job for this old coach. I was at Coach Buzzy McMillan’s house one evening when the phone rang and my daughter Summer Smith and her fiancée Frank Mills were in Calhoun before their senior year at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas.
They wanted me to come home for an important conference. It was really an announcement as they told me they wanted to get married and the date would be August24. My immediate response was “Marry you may but it will not be on August 24.” My Red Bud Cardinals opened at home on that day against Banks County. The game was played at Red Bud won 7-6 on their way to their fine 7-3 season.
Summer was in Calhoun last week and we laughed about that game moving her wedding date a week earlier to August 17. After both Summer and Frank taught and coached in both the Gordon County and Calhoun City school systems for years. Then Frank began a fulltime ministry with the Calhoun Church of Christ before they moved for a work in Searcy and then back to Frank’s home town of Florence, Alabama where Frank preaches for the Cross Point Church of Christ. The years have rolled by and their four grandchildren have provided this old coach (as other children have provided their parents) with more joy and happiness than I deserve. I am sure the change in that playing date did the trick.