End-of-Year "Best Of" Lists

In the next two weeks I'm going to publish a list of the "Best Of" what I've seen this season.  Boy, is there a lot to choose from.  However, I offer this one caveat:  I've been to multiple places multiple times, and I've seen multiple schools multiple times.

So, my sample is limited in scope. 

Or, you could look at it this way:  I've been afforded ample time to closely examine most of the schools in the running.  Except Bishop McGuinness, who is at worst going to finish second in Cheer of the Year voting.

Suddenly Sunday

True Southern football is an all-consuming experience best characterized by cool weather, hot grills, and a passion that is without rival.  On Friday night in Welcome, the best of Southern football came together to produce a hard-hitting conference opener that saw the host North Davidson Black Knights finally topple the Mount Tabor Spartans in a 7-6 defensive struggle.

The scene I encountered on Friday night was straight out of a Hollywood script.  Although the weather was less than favorable (a line of thunderstorms had delayed kickoffs across the central Piedmont), I followed a long stream of taillights bound for a singular destination.  I exited my car, saw the bright lights of Palmer Field in the distance, and was immediately overcome by the wonderful smells of fried chicken and barbecue.  The fact that the Spartans were in town promised a special evening of football, indeed, but the atmosphere was heightened by the fact that the Black Knights were also celebrating Homecoming.

I have been searching all season for "the buzz", the feeling I get when the football stars align and produce a special night.  North Davidson delivered within thirty seconds of my arrival.

After setting up shop in the press box, I grabbed my toys and went hunting.  It was not long until I encountered a group of students hovering by the end zone watching their "guests" warm up.  I enjoyed a good conversation with Caleb and his friends.

One of the things that Caleb (middle) let me know was that their chief rivalry was now Mount Tabor.  When I was in high school, the rivalry between North Davidson and Lexington was fraught with intensity and bad intentions.  Now, things have changed.  The link above should play in your favorite media player.

At halftime I sauntered down to the field to make a visit to the student section and met some really enthusiastic students who were more than happy to talk to Finally Friday!.

Hopefully I get some Pop Quiz! contestants from this year's Homecoming Court.  I will post them as soon as I get them back.  In the meantime, Mason Linker of the Winston-Salem Journal provides the particulars of the game here .  I am always happy to share a space with someone I can learn from, and Mason is no different.