Coach's First Game: We Won!!

Friday was the Bucs first game, although not an official game, it was a pre-season opener against Out of Door Academy (ODA).

Coach is sitting by Fred who is standing by a chain link fence looking out at the football field.

We arrived a little into the first quarter and the Bucs were already up by one run and had just scored another.  Coach's sponsor Austin was getting ready to kick the extra point, which he did!, and he made the extra point.

Close-up of Coach's face with some fence and the field in the background.

We parked ourselves on the front row, so that Coach could see the action, but would have plenty of room.  I'm not sure if that is the best place.  Fred thinks it is.  Fred thinks Coach can see better from the front row.  I think perhaps a row up is better as you don't have people walking back and forth.

Coach is lying on the bleachers and the football team is seen in the distance through the chain link fence.

It was a hot night, but it did cool down later in the evening.  The Bucs kept making touchdown, after touchdown.

Fred with Coach sitting between his legs on the bleachers.  Coach has one ear laid back.

Coach was very calm and good on the first row.  Even when kids ran by, he generally stayed lying down or at a sit.  he never jumped at anyone.  Woot!

Photo of Coach's sponsor, #30 Austin as he waits to be called out on the field to kick.

Coach's sponsor, #30 Austin, is the kicker and he made all but one of the extra points.

Coach lying on the track with the boys football team practicing at half time behind him.

During halftime, Coach was able to meet Austin's grandparents and dad, who had not met him yet.  It was pretty cute.  We were sitting on the bleachers when two very lovely ladies came up and said they were Coach's grandmothers. They really wanted to pet him, but they knew they couldn't because he had the coat on and they were really good and didn't.  

What you blog readers might not remember is that football game several years ago that Fred and I went to with Bingo.  Fred kept saying I should take the coat off and I said, "No.  We'll be mobbed."  Fred didn't believe me.  (Note: This often happens! 8-) So, I said, "OK, let's take it off."

Once that coat came off, children came running out of the darkness like we had rung a bell and screamed "Free candy and ice cream! Come now!!!"  After the initial rush, we put the coat back on and I must admit I did say, "I told you so."

We don't take the coat off at football games.

Photo of the football team on the field with the dark clouds looming.  

I just love the look of the sky in the above photo.  It wasn't storming, it actually got a little windy.  Hopefully, not a portent of Isaac to come.

Coach at the end of the night, lying down with a tired look on his face.

At the end of the third quarter, we were ahead 41 - 6 and Coach was dragging.  He was a hot dog.  And believe me, he had had some refreshment earlier.  So, we called the game a winner and headed out for the night.  The final score was 41 - 12.  

Yea!  Our first home game was a success: for Coach and the football team!

Football and the Queen

Her Royal Highness Berkeley has made it to two home football games. On the walk into the first game, we happened to pass by a lower division girl and her mom walking to the football field. I heard the mom ask her daughter, "Do you see the dog, honey?"

Then, in the saddest voice imaginable, the little girl said, while staring straight ahead, "Yes. She has her coat on. She's invisible. I can't see her or pet her."

I thought I might cry or laugh. I tried not to do either. We kept walking. I didn't make eye contact with the mom to see what she thought of that comment.



When we got to the football field it was still light and not too crowded. I was able to say hello to the kids I wanted to let know I had come to support them. Then we took HRH up onto the metal bleachers. The photo above shows her and Fred striking a pose. She did pretty well, even though they made a strange sound when she walked on them and they were a bit narrow and had a gap on either side. I think she will like them better when she is bigger.



We made the mistake of taking her for a pee break between the 1st and 2nd quarter. Every student who caught sight of her without her coat on rushed over for a quick pat. They all lined up nicely though and it was an orderly affair. We did eventually get her coat back on and took her out onto the field to watch the game from there.

The second time we took her it was Tailgate, which translated means EXTREMELY CROWDED and FILLED WITH EXCITED CHILDREN. HRH had a meltdown about 20 minutes into the game and we took her home. Sometimes it works and sometimes you take 'em home.

We still kicked butt and won the game.