Raining 'Cats and 'Dawgs...

Friday night means football for all who bleed Maroon and Gold. Only the elite faithful braved the weather and made the trip to watch our Wildcats battle the Newberry High School Bulldogs tonight. If you think that means we had a small crowd, think again. We're talking about Ninety Six High School football. There's nothing quite like small town high school football, even when the weather is not cooperating... and it wasn't! It had already rained steadily all day and this continued for the whole game. Karen and I huddled under a large umbrella. We also wore ponchos because the umbrella just wasn't enough.

We scored first. Blake added the extra point and we took a 7-0 lead into halftime. Newberry scored and their extra point was blocked. Newberry scored again later, and the two-point conversion failed. The score was 7-12. With time running out, we took possession of the ball and started a long drive, but then had to punt. Blake did the honors and hit one of his several beautiful punts, pinning Newberry deep in their own territory. With 1:36 left in the game, we forced a Newberry fumble and took over inside their 20 yard line. We scored with about 0:42 left in the game, making the score 13-12. We went for two because a three-point lead would mean that if Newberry could get good field position on the kickoff, a field goal would not beat us. The two-point conversion failed. No worries, though. Our defense not only held Newberry, but forced yet another fumble, bringing the game to an end.

On another positive note, Blake has been invited to come to Newberry College to meet the coaching staff and enjoy their home game against Carson-Newman on Saturday. Coach Liner sent them some film of Blake kicking, and he is now on their recruiting list. Karen and I are so proud of what Blake has accomplished through the hard work he puts into football. Any college program would be blessed to have him, and not just because of his athletic ability. He is also an awesome young man.