In small towns, Friday nights are special in the fall with the start of football season. As a child, I went to every single game-home and away since my older sister was a cheerleader. I myself was never a cheerleader- dancing and rhythm was not my strong suite, and I was determined to set my own path. These days I feel it takes forever before it’s actually “football” weather. I miss the old stadium. I could stand in my back yard and hear the River City Blue and the announcers. We could walk to the game if we wanted to. Football reminds me, too, that good friends sometimes have to move away.

Homecoming always has a special place in my heart. I can remember running across the street to the Middle School to the Homecoming dances. I loved wearing my mum with the giant Homecoming ribbon. I loved being in the parade. I loved working on homecoming floats.

When we entered high school, primping before home games was essential. The music you listened to was just as important. Cowboy Take Me Away was a favorite of my friends.  In high school, you had goals to achieve at the game, i.e. catching the eye of your favorite guy-where he be on the sideline, in the band, or in the stands. Socializing was a must at the game. After the game, if you were in the Key Club that meant you needed to stay to clean up the parking lot. We acted like we dreaded it, but it was another chance to socialize. Depending on the game, the next day after the game, as a member of Key Club, you were required to clean the stadium!  After the game also meant 5th Quarter at the Baptist Church.

Our hearts were broken the Fall of 02′ with a defeat from UMS Wright. I’d like to think we started the tailgate tradition at DHS since we tailgated before that game. I always think of our team when I hear, We ready (what, what), We ready (what, what), We ready (we ready, we ready) for ya’ll. Redemption was ours the next Fall when we won the state championship but unfortunately for us 03′ seniors we had already moved on to college, work, etc.  There’s some country song that says “Everybody dies famous in a small town” and that’s exactly how high school football is.

Tonight, I’ll go to the stadium and watch the Demopolis Tigers. It won’t be in the same stadium (sigh) but it will still remind me of a time when all that mattered was hanging with friends, flirting with boys, and cheering on your friends. I may even have to listen to Cowboy Take Me Away- here’s to you Beth and MC!