At the game last night.....

22.09.12

At the high school football game (American football) last night, between the Monticello Buckaroos and Summit Academy, I had a small glimpse into the American way of life. It was rather touching. Played under floodlights (It finished after 10pm), it seemed as though most of the town had turned out to support their team. Whole families were around the touchline having picnics, from toddlers to grandparents, most of the young ones oblivious to the actual game, preferring their own playground antics. The cheerleaders were suitably 'cheery', youthful and enthusiastic, although their energies appeared to have little connection with the match. The home crowd did not seem to mind though. It was a real community enjoying itself. But with cheerleaders.

Suddenly one of the Buckaroos did not get up from a scramble on the pitch. When a doctor and various paramedics were called out, the atmosphere in the ground changed. I recalled reading the week before of a high school kid who had been paralysed on the pitch after a tackle. I noticed that the cheerleaders had dropped to one knee, that all players from both sides had lined up, again on one knee.

As the moments went on, a grandfather and another relative ran onto the pitch, and those around the sidelines all drew breath. I noticed a few praying. The young lad, named Austen, was clearly known to many if not all of the locals. It was collectively emotional.

After some time he was stretchered off the pitch, and the game resumed. (Occasional announcements throughout the game proclaimed that it was not considered serious after all).

The Buckaroos were losing with only 1minute 50 secs on the clock when they took possession of the ball. Suddenly a surprise pass out to a tubby youth, who then ran like the wind with it, taking them to the 15 yard line. The crowd went crazy. After a shaky attempt a touchdown followed, which was also converted, to give them a 3 point lead. At least that's what I think happened.

The opponents attacked again and were close to scoring when a pass was intercepted. This time the home crowd really did go crazy. And so did I, albeit in a quite, British kind of way.

Way to go, Buckaroos!

 

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