Fall is in the air and that means high school football. Despite my mixed history with Tiger football (I've discussed my senior year in another journal entry), I love this time of year. I started playing football in the youth league for the Carthage Jets and soon after all other sports interests fell away. Friday nights became ritualistic with my dad and his friends up on the top row at K.E. Baker Stadium and my grandpa down on the field manning the cannon. By the time I made it to high school, the most important things in my life were football, weight lifting, and church. Following my high school years, I still followed Tiger football and stayed in touch with several of my coaches. In a moment that felt redemptive, Mr. Hicklin asked me be an assistant coach to the 8th grade team. It was a rough start, but Coach Hicklin stuck with me, mentored me, and turned the experience into a formative one. My final triumphant moment came when I lost weight several years ago and could fit back into my old football shirts. These days, my joy comes from watching the kids of my friends and classmates take the field.
Go you Tigers! Go Tigers!
Dave
Bonus picture: Young Dave with an actual tiger.
