Finally

School is Finally back in session.
The hottest part of summer is Finally coming to an end
The sweet smell of fresh corn is Finally in the air
Football is FINALLY back in season.

I enjoy the preseason games on the tube in the hot beginning of August. It's always a welcome view compared to the reruns from last season, the hohum of new reality pilots, award shows and yet another season of the Cubs losing. I do hesitate to put a lot of credence to the preseason games of the NFL. They are full of rookies and 3rd place depth chart players working hard to make an impression on either the team they are currently with or for one of the hundred scouts watching each game to find a player that will get released and help their team. So, the action is usually filled with some great plays and emotion. That always seems to die a little in the last week of the preseason schedule. Still, couldn't the Bears look a little more like they really want to win?

The 27th was opening night for IHSA Friday Night Football, Football under the lights. I was assigned to the local Normal Community Ironmen game. The Iron were hosting the Maroons from Champaign Central. A decent game that could have used a little more fan base from the city 40 miles east. The bleachers on their side were pretty vacant. Maybe every school needs to put the bathrooms and concessions on the visitors side... But the game itself had a good bit of action. Lots of tough runs up the middle, some short yardage runs and passes up the sidelines, interceptions, sacks, and a TD about anyway one could be scored. Even one kick off that nearly went through the uprights (but that's a feet for the kicker from West).

The only bummer on the night was the mosquitoes who seemed to have lined up a week ago for admission. They had me almost thinking that I wished it was Finally time for a hard freeze - ALMOST!

Enjoy the images.


20100827 Champaign Central v Normal Community - Images by Alan Look