Sunset continues to occur sooner in the evenings. Frosty temperatures dip lower with each passing day. Gone are the shorts and T-shirts. In are jackets and long johns. That's just in Tucson. Ok, perhaps "frosty temperatures" and long johns are a stretch, but there is no denying winter is nearly upon us. The calendar also lets us know football season is coming to a close. The largest rivalry games are set to touch down on the college fields. Pads and jerseys have been checked in as high school teams across the country saw their seasons come to a close. State playoff brackets are complete. Those that are not will fill in title match-ups in the coming days. It is time for fans to choose a side. Montana's prep football championships kick off this weekend, with the Class AA title tilt this evening in Kalispell. Glacier High School seeks its first championship while C.M. Russell is hunting number 14, albeit the first without hall of fame coach Jack Johnson. (UPDATE: Kalispell Glacier routed C.M. Russell 56-19 in the Class AA championship game) Fans of each school will offer support from near and far as the Wolfpack and Rustlers kick off in Montana's frigid winter weather. Parents, alumni and students will root for their teams in each of the other four classes of Montana's high school football. The same is true beyond the Treasure State's borders. Programs still competing gain support from other teams whose seasons have come to a close. But what if I could offer a championship everyone could cheer for? I'll do one better and give you a championship everyone should cheer for. Montana's Class B state championship will send District 5B's Broadwater County Bulldogs into the home of District 3B's Huntley Project Red Devils. Each team has earned its place in Saturday's finale. But their respective stories go well beyond a championship game. Broadwater (Townsend) travels with heavy hearts following last year's passing of Dakota Kimbrough, the 18-year-old student who died in a car accident during Homecoming weekend. It was a devastating blow to the community and felt across the entire state. The Bulldogs played the remainder of the season in Dakota's honor and continued that trend into 2014, with the motto "Forever 26" commemorating their fallen teammate. Emotions still bite at the community, but Dakota's memory serves as motivation. Townsend has also drawn inspiration from other student-athletes in recent years. Former Bulldog wrestler Troy Spurlock earned his first win in one of Montana's most selfless acts on an athletic surface. Never has a Bulldog shown so much excitement, so much passion, as Spurlock celebrated with his teammates and coaches. Troy's "attitude and work ethic were contagious" teammates told me that year. The senior even earned the opportunity to compete at the all-class state wrestling tournament on Montana high school sports' biggest stage. Any casual sports fan can find a reason to back the Townsend Bulldogs in the Class B state championship. Whether it be Dakota's story tugging at our sentimental heart strings or Troy's touching first victory, the Bulldogs deserve extra fans in their corner. But don't make your decision quite yet. Huntley Project is traditionally one of Montana's more successful athletic schools. The Red Devils are perennial powers on the football field, consistently compete in postseason basketball tournaments and offer some of Big Sky Country's finest track and field athletes. While those credentials may not be enough to sway the casual sports fan, Huntley Project also provides us with stories of perseverance and affection. In October 2012, Red Devil Koni Dole broke his right leg playing in the Project's final game of the regular season. The teenager decided amputation was his best option. While rehab was excruciating and both mentally and physically exhausting, it was less than a year later, Koni was back on the field, finding immediate success with his teammates. Koni's return to the high school fields was moving, but his story did not end there. His dream was to play football at Montana State and the Bobcats made it a reality when Dole walked on at MSU. All of the hard work, the rehab and setbacks serve as inspiration to those chasing dreams. Koni Dole is a Montana hero, although modest and shy, he would likely scoff at the very mention of the word. Dole's story of tragedy to triumph still echoes in the coffee shops and gas stations of Montana. But the small high school in Worden has a new star to rally behind: Jake Vinton. The Huntley Project senior takes to the practice field every day after school with his teammates. He pulls on his pads, laces up his shoes and straps in his helmet, proudly showcasing "Red Devils" across his chest. Jake has Trisomy 21, a form of Down syndrome. According to Billings Gazette sports writer Slim Kimmel, Jake's "speech is limited and he's small for his age...but that doesn't prevent him from embracing life with a happy-go-lucky attitude." With his disability an afterthought, Jake found ways to score touchdowns for the Red Devils junior varsity team. His spirit gives the Red Devils an added boost heading into state championship weekend. The Townsend Bulldogs and Huntley Project Red Devils are rich in sports achievements. The two schools have championships, MVPs and excellent coaching staffs across all sports. Their students perform in the classroom and the community, making their hometowns proud. Yes, it's easy to see why Bulldogs and Red Devils have passionate fan bases. Thanks to the likes of Jake and Koni, Troy and the memory of Dakota, this championship game is one everyone could, hell everyone should, root for. Earlier this week I offered my allegiances to the Bulldogs, after covering the events following Dakota's passing. At the end of Saturday's game, the scoreboard will indicate one team has lost, but I know in my heart both community's have already won and that makes us all champions.
9 Comments
The frost touches the end of the lilac bushes where the leaves used to hang. A few of the once green petals, now boasting brown tones, line the base of the chaparral which is long overdue for a trim. The crisp air echoes with the sound of a bouncing basketball, flat from the frigid temperature. The sight of my breath escapes my lips. The combination of subfreezing temps and physical activity causes my lungs to burn. The ball continues to split time between my hands and the uneven gravel driveway before clanking off the iron and tickling the nylon below. Sunset will be here soon, its natural light disappearing beyond the horizon. No matter, the headlights of the 1993 Silverado will serve as as makeshift gymnasium lights for my personal playground. Another shot grazes the side of the rim forcing me to sprint toward the icy lawn to avoid the ball splashing into the puddle nearby. This was my routine. Dozens of shots, hundreds of dribbles, day after day. I loved basketball, lived for it in fact. My dream was to play in the National Basketball Association. As I perfected my form I would imagine myself on the court at American Airlines Arena with the clock ticking away. "Three, two, one...." the ball leaves my hand as the horn sounds. If the ball doesn't splash through the net the countdown starts over. If the spherical piece of rubber, which just so happens to be painted in Orlando Magic black and blue, falls between the 18 inches of orange iron the imaginary crowd roars in approval. Dozens of shots, hundreds of dribbles, day after day. During our childhood we are told to chase our dreams. Parents and teachers tell us we can be anything we want to be. "Dream big" they say. My dreams were above me as it would turn out. My 6-foot-2 frame was too slow to accommodate the demands of a guard in college, let alone the NBA. Fortunately, sports would leave a mark on my future. The end result of my dream may have changed, but my aspirations did not. As a recently declared communications major, I would find myself narrating play-by-play on Monday Night Football. Perhaps March Madness and buzzer-beaters would be my calling. "Chase your dreams" they told me. "Be whatever you want" they said. Through hard work and an ever-improving ability I would land my dream job. I still believe those practices to be true. By soaking in knowledge and advancing my capabilities I believe there is a probability of landing the occupation of my desires. The path to any dream is littered with hurdles and mine is no exception, though the hindrances in the sportscasting world are not as I expected. "We are not perfect. But we'll play hard. And we'll make the corrections." Jon Gruden spoke those words during his tenure as the coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The man dedicated his life to coaching, making stops from the University of Tennessee to the Oakland Raiders and eventually Buccaneers. But not even a Super Bowl can preserve a job in professional sports. Gruden has now tested the broadcasting world, starring on, you guessed it, Monday Night Football. Yes, Jon Gruden occupies one of the very positions I have been told to work toward. He's not the only one. Coaches and athletes continually land jobs in sports broadcasting when their careers have come to a close. Many improve a fan's experience of the game: Bill Cowher, Hubie Brown and Sean Casey bring personal involvement to their discussion. Others provide more entertainment value analytical knowledge. Charles Barkley sparks controversy, John Kruk overhypes and fans spend more time guessing what Lou Holtz says than listening to his opinions. As sports continue to be a 24-hour commodity, ex-athletes and former coaches linger as mainstays on our television sets. Young journalists set out to conquer the sports world but find it littered with those who no longer play or tutor. In 2013 ESPN admitted they keep a running list of NFL players they will pursue as broadcasters. Sports is not the only landing spot for celebrities. The late Joan Rivers made a career of bashing personalities' outfits. Soak in the irony. Now NBC News has announced the hiring of Pippa Middleton, sister of the famous Kate, one of Britain's most recent royals. Pippa joins the likes of Chelsea Clinton and Jenna Bush as correspondents paid by NBC. "If you've got a famous name and a degree that doesn't even begin with the letter 'J,' you've got yourself a job." The article nails it in one simple quote. In today's broadcasting world, sports or otherwise, does a name outweigh talent? Many journalists continue to land jobs at the highest level and deservedly so. Still many "stars" absorb these positions despite their lack of experience. This does not mean I will give up on those dreams my brain imagined all those years ago. 29-year-old me owes it to 12-year-old me to continue the pursuit of my goals. It may not be easy, but I join forces with other journalists who still believe in working hard to achieve objectives. Because in my world, true talent beats a name damn near every time. "Why so serious?" The quote above, made famous by the late Heath Ledger's Joker character in the Dark Knight series, raises an interesting conversation: Why are we so serious? What causes us to be so hesitant to let loose? I understand people have an obligation to provide for their families and need to focus on their career a majority of the time. I would recommend individuals attempt to have fun with their work, but many need an almost somber attitude to reach their goals and that's ok too. The second that timecard is punched the seriousness can remain behind. There is a difference in goofy and immature, although the two can cross paths. I have no issue with either, although the time and place for each can be debated. There is no doubt I am immature around my closest friends, yet those I meet in the business world see only the severity in my actions. My family gets the kooky version, my fiancé the cute version, my co-workers the responsible version, etc. The point of this post is disappearing quick as I describe all the ridiculous adaptations of myself. Life is stressful and times are hard. Strive to achieve your goals. Soak in as much information as you can. Find time to have fun. Chasing your dreams is a hell of a lot more fun with a smile on your face. Fallon and I were recently burdened with the pressures of planning our wedding 1,500 miles away from home. Work was overwhelming and the to-do list was never-ending. There was no better time to hit the refresh button. It was the perfect instance to unleash the inner child. Tucson boasts a local indoor trampoline park called "AZ Air Time." It appears to be a popular destination for youth birthday parties and after-school activities. That certainly didn't stop Fallon and I from taking our turn. Five minutes in I was breathing harder and sweating more profusely than Makena Morley post-race. I didn't care. AZ Air Time has trampolines connected to basketball hoops which was right up my alley. 10 minutes of embarrassing slam-dunk action later, I pulled a muscle in my right shoulder. I still didn't care. We spent every minute of our money's worth bouncing around, flipping into the styrofoam pit and laughing like schoolgirls on the playground. Every teenage employee watched us make fools of ourselves with judging looks on their faces. The children playing trampoline dodgeball laughed as I missed dunk after dunk. There was no denying the amount of fun the two oldest participants were having.
The next day I set off to work sore and exhausted. The ibuprofen had yet to kick in to kill the aching in my back with every breath. The Colombian roast was slowly kick-starting my sensors. The grin on my face and memories dancing in my brain were unmistakable. Embarrassing one's self is not for everyone. Trampolines may not be the first choice for fun. But the options are literally unlimited. Step away from the seriousness of work, finances and stress and find a way to unleash your own inner child. Even if it kicks your ass, you'll thank yourself later. |
AuthorRichie is a small-town boy chasing big-city dreams. When he's not involved with sports, he's spending time with his wife, Fallon; their yorkie, Tinker; and their Rhodesian Ridgeback, Rosie. Archives
April 2016
Categories
All
|