Friday, September 12, 2008

Friday Night Football

We sat in the stadium, excitement high. People were shouting, the band was playing, and soon everyone was on their feet. Clapping, singing our fight song and cheering for the team, we were pumped. Red and white flashed everywhere, on everyone from the infantile to the elderly. Spirit filled the stadium, pride in our school flowed through us all.
The football team scored a touchdown, bringing the score ever closer, and then another tying the game. With the entire crowd on their feet, the clock ran down, and overtime began. We waited anxiously to see who would win the toss for offense, and the energy dipped momentarily as the other team did. Not for long though, as it was soon 4th and ten. Time for a field goal. This would be the fourth of the night, and we thought they had it in the bag. We got quiet as they kicked, knowing the game was done.
With a roar the crowd realized the official denied it, and we were back to the energy of before. Jumping and clapping, we cheered anxiously for the next three plays. Come 4th down, still nothing. As we lined up to kick our own field goal, no one knew what to expect. As the ball flew perfectly through the goal, the crowd went wild. People were hugging and jumping and clapping and celebrating.
But this was nothing compared to what happened on the field. The entire team rushed out to meet our offensive line and our kicker, one pile of teenage boys. Ranging from freshman to seniors, age didn’t matter in that moment. They were all Panthers, and they had all won the game.

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