Spring Training. NFL Preseason. Primary elections. Trailers for movies that come out in three years.
All of these are (to obviously varying degrees) necessary and entertaining. But let’s be honest. They’re all some of society’s biggest teases. It’s not what the people really want to see. To recycle words one of my favorite high school teachers – Mrs. Bryant – often hurled my way: that’s not what we’re here to talk about.
Neither are scrimmages. But tonight’s will feel a little different. Why? I can’t exactly say, but I promise I’m not making it up to generate excitement. Could you imagine? I’ll provide a little context, though.
Perhaps it’s possible to put a positive spin on the above proceedings. Each of these “teases” – save for the latter two – are omens that something big is coming. They all represent the fact that we’ve made it through a lull and are on the cusp of what we’ve all been waiting for. The main attraction if you will. Each alludes to the reality that we’ve made it through the dark days.
Welcoming East Hall to campus tonight is good on multiple fronts. For one, the last taste any of us have of seeing the Raiders play on our own field was from Nov. 4 of last year against Shiloh and that memory is less than ideal.
I’m willing to go out on a limb and say the Raiders will score some points this evening. (See last year’s 47-0 final score in favor of the good guys.)
That’ll get the energy flowing amongst Benji’s group. The scrimmage will also act as a dry run before a showdown on Aug. 18 that everyone can see on the horizon. We can put a lil’ grease on the wheels of Raider Stadium before that whopper of a season opener against Stephens.
Show up for our devoted cheerleaders and the Band of Blue. They too put blood, sweat and tears into what they do. For you.
Everywhere I go to cover sports in Northeast Georgia, I hear all about how Habersham Central has the most well-traveled fan base in the region. Opposing schools can’t stand it. It’s almost insulting to have so much orange and blue packing their stands.
So much so that they add a caveat when complimenting Raider fans for their mobility. They say something along the lines of “Habersham travels super well for a team that doesn’t win that much.”
Ouch. Bulletin board material. Sometimes the biggest improvements can be made when we’re fueled by being uncomfortable. Turning negatives into positives.
My point is that it should sting. And it should also be the reason we band together to make sure this team has our support. We have their back and they have ours. That starts today – right now. Despite anything the opposition may say, our roster this year is loaded with talented playmakers. This team is experienced and I believe wholeheartedly that those who come out on the other side of trials and tribulations are better off because of it. So again, let’s let it rip. It’s time to loosen the reins.
The Vikings are rolling into town and tonight, we give no quarter.
Lang Storey is the sportswriter for The Northeast Georgian. Reach him at 706-778-4215 or lstorey@TheNortheastGeorgian.com.