Greenon HS at Greenview HS

It was Friday, August 24, 2007 at 7:30 pm when the Greenon Knights and the Greenview Rams took the field. It was hot and not as humid, but enough to make it even tougher on the field. The Refs announce that due to heat and humidity additional official timeouts will be afforded each team for frequent water breaks. The crowds cheer - we don't want anyone suffering from heat exhaustion or worse. My boy plays and so does my nephew. This is my boy's first varsity game - ever. I'm filled with so much pride that I can't speak and tears are in my eyes. Not from worry, but from PRIDE! That's MY boy! Anyway, back to the game. Coaches patting helmets, shaking hands, patting backs, giving directions, running plays in and out - cheering for their kids.

Kick off occurs and within a few plays the Knights score. My boy shuffles in and out of the game frequently, showing me and his Dad that he is a valuable 12, 13, or 14 player. The bench is pretty deep, which is good for any team....but my boy is up there. Not a starter, but a player with heart. He is in on almost every tackle. I always told him to be the big train. My breath is held during every play. Not because I'm afraid - it is adrenaline. I'm on that field with my boy. I'm pushing through, helping with tackles, running hard, and feeling every hit just as he. He doesn't know it, but I'm in that helmet with him. Knights score again, and quickly then again. By half time it was 32 - 0 Greenon. The boys are tired and pumped, they go to the lockers for rest and coaching.

The bands play. Greenon HS Marching band takes the field - a far cry better than last year. They MARCHED this year - and actual routine, to more than one song. Last year they stood. Nicely done kids! Way to work hard. Nicely done band director - way to get the kids to where they are now. They looked great, they sounded great. It was great to see my niece march and her friends that I have gotten to know. Greenview's band was a bit smaller than ours, but also put on a nice performance. They didn't march as much, but did a nice job and moved around for a couple songs. Half time is almost over - players re-enter the stadium. People cheer.

Third quarter begins. Kick off - Greenview receives, my boy was first on the tackle. He was the BIG train. Sole tackle - beautiful tackle. Surprised the kids carrying the ball - some of the teammates, too. But he was there - first. That's MY boy! SCORE! Greenon scores again. Plays, tackles, the air cooling down to a bearable temperature, plays, tackles, punts, kick-offs, running, hitting, sweating, football. Greenview has to punt again. I will say this about the Greenview Rams. Although those kids didn't put numbers up on the board last night, they played with as much heart and tenacity as they could muster. The coach is only in his second year and they are recovering from a 1-9 season from last year and I don't think they won any the year before that.

Fourth quarter would yield yet another touchdown for Greenon ending out the evening with a final score of 44-0. Greenview was gracious, and so were our guys. There were many displays of good sportsmanship on the field last night after hard tackles, good runs, and tough hits. Even after not putting numbers up for four quarters. It is a tough thing to do, but good job Greenview. The Greenon players came over to the band after the game and sang along with their fight song to show appreciation to their support. Again, heart filled with pride and tears - I hate that...the tears. I wish they didn't come, but it is pride. My boy, his first varsity football game and all totaled, he put in about 2 full quarters worth of playing time, if not more. He played defense, kick-offs, some punt returns, and other things as assigned. Nice job, son. I'm so proud...but I'll tell you when you get home.

The crowd is abuzz as we make our way out of the stadium and we talk about the great playing on the way home. Excited to see our boy and tell him about our pride and the game and how he played, we waited. He got home, he didn't share our excitement. Disappointed and a little hurt that my boy, the one I'm so proud of, didn't share the appreciation, excitement, and fun of the game, I went up for the night. I remember he is a teenager and he lets little things get to him, so I discount it. But I have learned something about myself. I still love football on Friday nights. I especially love watching my boy play at his new school on the varsity team. I'm still SO proud of my boy and no matter the amount of self-loathing he may feel won't change that fact. Good job Greenon Knights, and great job my boy. I love you.

-Mom

PS. Today is my nephew's game. Good Luck Easy-E! I'll see you there.