I’ve always felt a particular affinity for the underdog, quite possibly because I grew up going to a high school with a somewhat less-than-stellar football team. That doesn’t mean my optimism is quashed year after year, though; my blood runs blue and gold, echoes of “Bomber Man” replay in my mind, and I will forever believe that THIS YEAR (whatever year it happens to be) is the one we’ll turn things around.
Witness my upcoming road trip to Arkansas for the annual Beat Harrison game. Who else, but a hope-springs-eternal lifelong fan, would drive eight hours to see a high school football game her team has lost for more than two decades straight?
I’ve been following the team’s preseason as well as I can given my distance. (Thanks to my buddies at the Baxter Bulletin sports department and Fearless Friday, a site recommended by Tommy a couple of years ago!) My father told me last night Mountain Home is actually (Lord help us) picked to beat their first regular-season opponent, Marion, tomorrow night (even though Marion is technically ranked a few spots higher statewide than is Mountain Home). And they did manage to win their first scrimmage last week at McClellan in Little Rock, 10-7.
However, Harrison’s already played (and won) their first regular-season game against Pulaski Academy (24-16); they don’t play again until the big game Sept. 10. Eeks!
Here’s a picture I’m borrowing from the local newspaper. ‘Cause what fun is football without pictures of the guys? 🙂
