The Big Game: Fleming Island vs. Clay

Hooray, hooray, and "go team." There was a lot of hype and hysteria leading up to Friday night's game. I'll start out by throwing my pom-pons in the air because we won. It was glorious.

We were winning 14-0 for the first half and then all of a sudden there were 2 minutes left in the game and we were down 17-14. What happened? There was no way I thought our boys could do it. Rozzie reported that she was already thinking about skipping church because she had spoken brashly to the Clay kids and now she had to eat her words. But, lo and behold, our boys marched down the field and scored with 25 seconds left. One of my students caught the winning pass. The crowd went berserk and then Clay had two more plays before we intercepted and it was over. YAY!!

As far as rivalries go, Clay is a big one. Before there was Fleming Island High School, there was Orange Park and Clay. Now we sit right in the middle of the two and they are our sworn enemies of the Galactic something or other. Always big games. The stands were full, the track was full, people were everywhere! I had to sell tickets for the first half, so I was unable to work the crowd like I normally do!! After the first half, I was able to hang up my apron and go see the half-time show along with the rest of the game.

In preparation for the big night, we had a pep rally - also referred to by some as the "pepper alley." The band played the fight song and the cheerleaders cheered. The thing we were most excited for (in our family) was the Golden Girls dancing!! They did such a great job. Morgan said it was really fun to watch Rozzie do her thing out there. They really worked hard the past week to bring in on! I'll admit, I got a little choked up watching her out there. I get choked up when I watch the band when they bring out the big, gold flags. Now I'm just so gosh darn proud of Rozzie (and nervous for her). It brings back some really great memories. Here is one formation where you can see Rozzie, a little.

Our gym can only hold half the student body at a time, so they do two rallies. In bewteen the two, I caught Morgan with some of her band friends chillaxin on the bleachers. There were only a few, but when Morgan rolled her eyes at a mother with a camera, I announced that Morgan wanted all her friends in the picture, so everyone jumped in!! Children beware: I am a mother with a camera, and I will use it!! Morgan has had such a great time being involved with the band and they are some really fun kids!

Now it's game time and while I sold tickets, all the important people took to the field. "Swoop" and "Soar" are escorted on by Rozzie (to the right). We thougth this was kindof funny.

Now for half-time! The band played the first section of their show. I hope that next week we'll get to see the whole thing. Morgan said they have it down and they ahve 5 more hours of practice before the next game. I know, these pictures are COMPLETELY different looking from the ones last year, and the year before, and the year before that. Thank you for not complaining and being interested! (Yes, I figured a way to label my kids, although it isn't as creative and cute as Sara's technique. And, Sara, see all that black background? That is where the ticks are.)

There is a photographer who comes and takes a ton of pictures of the games, the crowd, the performers, etc. Then she posts the pictures of facebook and allows us to use them on the internet. She caught this one of the Golden Girls and it is a really cute shot of Rozzie on the right!!

And last, but not least, how about a nice kick!! Rozzie is on the back row as she is a lowly freshman. As she gets older, she will move in the ranks towards the front of the triangle.

And the most wonderful shot of the night: