My Backyard Bowl Week

Maroon, White, Maroon, White- these are the only colors I can even picture this week. Why, because on Friday night, we will face the redskins once again at Chapman Stadium. It has been a constant battle every year: buy the t-shirt, get the tickets, decide how I will paint my car this time around-but this year will be the pinnacle of my high school year, the last chance for me to see Jenks beat Union, my senior year. The week will begin with all of the usual preparations: themed spirit days, people standing in lines for tickets while the students eat their lunches, more and more of the Jenks/Union t-shirts seen around campus, etc. However, this year, the pep rally will be much out of the ordinary. Seniors already receive many incentives, but the largest gift of all will be finally getting to sit in the coveted bleachers that give prime viewing privileges during the pep rally. Every year there is a skit done by the Superfans, Trojan spirit things, cheers by the cheerleaders, the usual chastisement of Union, and a presentation of the fall athletes; and finally, I will be able to see all those people, a simple pleasure, but so worthwhile. I think the best part about the actual game is not necessarily the time from kickoff to buzzer, but more of the preparations. The senior class has a tailgate party in which everyone "paints up" and eats. Then, as soon as the doors open up, all of the die-hard fans rush for the most desired seats in Chapman Stadium, the front rows between both of the 35 yard lines. After the majority of the high school fills up those particular bleachers adrenaline takes on a new power of pumping. Yes, we have been preparing for the game all week, but just entering the stadium and feeling the power of the field and what is about to occur there is breathtaking. Soon the camera crews arrive and interview many of those who have "painted up" in order to get the best sports story and everyone finds their friends as we all watch the pre-game show in anticipation for the kickoff. No matter what, win or lose (though we all know who will win) the Jenks/Union football game is one of the best experiences in my high school career. It is still amazing how excited people become about football, even when they don't understand the game-the Jenks/Union rivalry cannot be encompassed only in football, it is more of a civil war, with a little less bloodshed.