Friday Night Football Archives

September 16, 2016

Marching in the Rain

Tonight was Friday night football, and for the Carl Junction Bulldogs, it was homecoming. It has poured rain all day, cancelling the town’s homecoming parade. But the weather didn’t delay the game or dampen the enthusiasm of the fans. We just accepted that it was raining.

Greg and I met our daughter Elissa and son-in-law Josh at the stadium. I had three folding seats to protect us from the wet bleachers. Josh graciously stood, gallantly holding an umbrella over his sweet wife.

The band stayed dry inside the school until two minutes before halftime. But they weren’t going to let a little rain stop them from performing.

The Marching Bulldogs presented an excellent halftime show, playing a patriotic medley in four parts. I admire this hardworking group. I know from conversations with my grandson Dayan that the band members put in many hours of practice, meeting early before school.

The band will soon be marching in fall and holiday parades and competing in area competitions. These halftime performances allow the band to hone their skills while entertaining the crowds.

I was so proud of Dayan and the Marching Bulldogs. Their dedication is showing. And their commitment as well. It requires more effort and concentration to play well in cool, rainy weather. In spite of droplets pelting their faces and challenging conditions that can affect the musical instruments, the band gave a powerful performance that drew whoops and applause.

I am very aware that Dayan only has a few more halftime performances left as a Marching Bulldog. His senior year is well under way. I will be there for all his performances, throughout the year, rain or shine. Go Bulldogs! Go Dayan!

Rain can’t dampen my enthusiasm either.

Catch the Marching Bulldogs’ performance HERE

August 20, 2016

Historic Moment

School began this week across the area and tonight the first Friday football games were played at local highschools. Carl Junction had their first home game, against fierce rival Webb City. When the Bulldogs are home the marching band provides the halftime entertainment, along with support for the football team with rousing songs during the game.

Home game, marching band…that means this Yaya was on the sideline, cheering for the Bulldog team and the band as my grandson Dayan marched onto the field.

This first game was huge. The rivalry between these two local schools is friendly and intense, which created a record breaking attendance this evening at the Bulldog Stadium.

At the half, the score was Carl Junction 10, Webb City 0. And the Marching Bulldogs took the field. I loved watching the halftime performance. The band performed World War II, Remembering an Era, expertly moving together across the field as they played. The band then brought the crowd to its feet with the Bulldogs Fight Song. It was an excellent halftime show!

When the football game began again, it was obvious the Bulldogs were all business. They only allowed the Webb City Cardinals one touchdown. As the second half ticked down on the clock, the energy within that stadium soared. Last year, Carl Junction lost to Webb City by one point, in the last seconds of the game. The Bulldogs were not about to repeat that situation

It’s been 39 years since Carl Junction won in a football game against Webb City. Many of the players’ parents weren’t born yet the last time CJ claimed victory over WC. Fans were on their feet. There was cheering and screaming and thunderous applause. I was part of that, carried along by the wave of excitement.

Yes, it was a high school football game. And it was a historic moment, not witnessed before in the lifetimes of most of the crowd.

The Carl Junction Bulldogs prevailed, winning their opening home game, 23-7.

What a fun evening. I’m proud of the Bulldogs, both the football team and the marching band. They gave their best tonight, and much deserved celebrations were rampant after the game. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to witness a game that will be talked about for years to come.

Go Bulldogs! Have a great rest of the year.

Watch the wonderful halftime performance HERE

August 21, 2015

Journey 233: Carl Junction Football – First Home Game

Area schools have started their fall semesters and tonight, high school football games kicked off, literally, all over the region. A gorgeous evening with very fall-like temps encouraged a huge turn out for the Carl Junction Bulldogs first home game.

Elissa and Josh, Greg and I, perched on the stadium bleachers, right at the edge of the student section. Those kids stand up, so not the best seats for the best view, BUT the energy was high…playful and spirited. And we could hear the band very well, since they were in the next section of bleachers.

And while the football games are fun to watch and parents and students alike enter into the joyous, party-like atmosphere, I am there for the marching band. I am there to cheer during the half time show and appreciate a fine musical performance. Grandson Dayan, who is a junior in high school this year, plays the tuba and is the leader of that section. I am there for my grandson.

Dayan, his section, and the entire band gave a wonderful performance. They played Grand Illusion and Mr. Roboto, lively selections by Styx. The band sounded great and marched together well. I’ve been in marching band. It takes concentration and skill to march in formation while playing an instrument. Well done, Marching Bulldogs.

And well done, CJ football team. They won their first home game, 61 to 7. Their season is off to an explosive start!

Elissa, Josh, Greg and I slipped away after the half time show. As we walked toward the car, Josh suddenly said, “Rootbeer floats”. That sounded like a great way to finish the evening! We ended up at Shakes, in Webb City. And no one had a Rootbeer float, although Greg came the closest with a Rootbeer smoothie, which is ice cream and Rootbeer blended together like a shake.

We all enjoyed our cold treats, seated at a picnic table in front of Shakes, on a beautiful night. The conversation was fun and lively and we laughed as we chatted. Football, marching band, family, ice cream…a great Friday night tradition.

Josh strikes a pose.