Friday Nites Texas may have the market cornered on H.S.football when you talk about stadiums, rivalries, big-time athletes, movies-"Friday Nite Lights" but the same anticipation builds in the Hog state, just on a smaller playing field. Texas has its Roman Coliseums for stadiums that will seat 30K-50K which is great, but there's nothing like traveling to Barton High School which is in no specific town, but more referred to as a corner, 20 miles west of Helena, and watching the bleachers fill up and the remaining faithful encircle the bermuda grass sidelines waiting impatiently for the kickoff. (Total capacity with standing room would be about 2,500) The air is chilled near gametime to a crisp 40 degrees and falling but you wouldn't know it by watching Coach McClelland warm up by throwing passes to his recievers in a tight polyester shortsleeve coaching shirt, his breath visible with every pant. The Harding Academy Wildcats, (my team) have traveled 2 hours to tangle with the mighty Barton Bears at a place that could compare to the field in the movie "Field of Dreams." Some 8 or more McClelland-coached teams battled on this field enroute to becoming state champions. Unprecedented. At least ESPN thinks so. You can see their week long filmed documentary of the legendary coach sometime in January on one of their many networks. The stage is not as big and bright as its neighbor to the west, but the excitement reaches the same fever pitch. The athletes are a little smaller, not as quick, facilities are dwarfed, but the execution of both teams is surgery-like. Barton has about 10 running plays and 2 passing plays and H.A. has 100 passing plays and runs the draw to Kreg Kell-youngster who touched the ball 4 times on H.A.'s last drive in the 2002 State Championship game as a sophomore to clinch the title. The date on both teams calendars has been circled since 2 a days in August. Let the game begin.
Why do I travel 1,2,3 hours on friday nites to witness such a contest? Its not really for the love of the game of football as much as it is observing the entire event unfold. Beginning with watching a few practices and talking to collegues, coaches, and players throughout the week about the upcoming opponent, all the way through to the final whistle, it is a rewarding environment to be a part of. Seeing a kid at church on Wednesday nite and wishing him the best this week in the game and watching his face light up when I tell him about his mug shot in the weekly paper. Listening as his mom or dad overhears you and chimes in with about 10 more minutes of additional stats on their son that you really didn't care to hear; but its all good.
Witnessing brothers playing on the same field, at the same time. Wow. A parents dream. An experience that will last a lifetime. Seeing tears after an overtime loss which leads to tight hugs, pats on the back, well wishers, "we'll get em next time." Joint team prayers after the contest...heads bowed...everyone forgetting the score for a moment to honor the Maker.
I can't wait to drive to Dierks, Ark. tonite with my son and a friend to see another game. Would I have had any other reason to drive this far on a cold, rainy nite to this town of 3,000? I look forward to the unfolding. By the way, this was Harding Academy's year. They beat Barton 35-0. I hope Coach McClelland will coach for 10 more years! Mr. Old School will be missed when his time finally comes. But his legend will live on.
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