Fall & Football
Two things I have been eagerly awaiting have finally arrived—the “real” Fall season and the nitty gritty pigskin play.
While I love to see the leaves change in their full array, there is something to be said when that cold spell hits and the leaves dry up, fall to the ground, and you get that crinkle sound when you step on them or rake them up. There were some warm days last week for sure, but Fall seems to be here in Georgia following this weeks’ rain with the temperatures set to reach the highs in the 60s instead of the 80s.
And with that cool brisk weather comes the final weeks of high school football, division championships for college football, and the NFL hitting midseason with eight weeks or so to the Super Bowl.
I’m terribly excited to see the Monticello Hurricanes making a deep run into the state playoffs this year. Go Canes, tackle the Fighting Irish this week like the fierce squad you are. Remember what David taught us in his battle against Goliath. My plan is to be at that battle under the Friday night lights in Dublin. Jasper County seems to have football fever and I am here for it. It seems the last time the squad made a big state run was in 1992.
As a 1990 graduating Hurricane, I remember many long bus rides to far gone places like Commerce and Buford in the late 80s for region and state playoff games, as the little engine that could.
Last Saturday, I sat in the bleachers watching the Newton High School Rams battle the McEachern High School Indians. I picked the right game to attend this year—it was some good high school playoff football had that night at Sharp Stadium. It was a back and forth that ended in a nailbiter with the team this side of Atlanta eeking out a one point win. A win’s a win when it comes to the playoffs and I’m good with that. I’m going to wish the Rams well this week as I won’t make the trip this Friday to North Gwinnett, opting to cheer on the Canes in Dublin instead.
On the college front, while Jacob and I were enjoying a lively high school game Robyn was in Athens taking in some Dawgs/Vols action after her HOSA Fall Leadership Conference. My high school junior was overwhelmed for a primetime game with big playoff implications.
Jacob and I have been getting our NFL watching on all season, but it’s heating up now with teams looking to ramp up and jockey for division positioning. He was more than happy to see the Buffalo Bills take down the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday to ruin their perfect season thus far.
He’s not anti-Chiefs rather pro-Bills—me too. I’m still pulling for the Eagles to make it to and pull off the Super Bowl this year. Nothing against the home state Falcons as they are not there yet, but they are turning the corner this season. And that’s good to see.
I’m just going to keep enjoying the crisp weather while watching and rooting for my football favorites.