Friday Night Lights

SEASONS CHANGE
Going to bed early. Warm day. Triple digits.  Needed to take a nice dip today. Nothing fatiguing, just a way to escape this Summer October. Funny in 30 days will Halloween and thoughts of wearing a sweater feels comforting. Friday night lights where the big game is just a few days away. I can hear the band playing down the street. Not my high school, but still mine just the same.  Thoughts of the band director’s past discretion are gone with yesterday’s memories. I can hear the crowds cheer as new Hope springs.

AMAZING MOMENTS

Missed catches. Game saving tackles. Overloading the left side as that one lone defender flies and deflects that point after. Watching the errant kick sail just pass the field goal. Wide. There was that incredible catch by Shannon. He looked like a gymnast tumbling through the sky as his legs cart wheeled over the defender. Seeing his hand shoot up in the sky as the referee raised his arms upwards. That was something. 

NEVER ALONE
I am sitting in the crowds with her. She’s not here. She’s married with child. I see her Facebook post of his newest adventure. Still she is with me. In my heart, I am not alone. Her memories is enough. Like then, there was no one else and that would be okay. No cares in the world just being there. It was all that mattered. Never really cared for the outcome of the game. Just enjoyed the night with her.

Times changed now.

ICE CUBE

I am on the field now, watching my brother, the Coach. He’s on the sideline shouting at his players. His wife, my sister in law, says he might get kicked out of the game.  He’s a passionate player.  Voice that would scare most. An intimidating character. Reminds me of O’Shea Jackson. Think NWA and Are We There Yet?  He has that Mad Dog Scare. Eyebrows furrowed. Face grimaced. Ears red. His coach said one time, “Give me 20 more like him and we would never lose any battle.” This is true. Born under the sign of the warrior, Sagittarius. He is smart, athletic, with an indomitable will. Not tall in stature, he always found a way to compete. He found a way to excel.

FALCON PRIDE FOREVER

Sitting in the stands with girls. Both off from gymnastic practice. Texting and Instagramming. Wearing the Falcon Jersey. They move with the cheerleaders. Screaming and shouting better than the ones on the field.  They have been going to the games since they were little. “Palmdale Falcons How Do You Feel?” They scream, “We Feel Good. Oh We Feel So Good. . .There is more to it. Add some hip gyrating and arms twirling like riding a bronco. You get the idea. 

Dorian’s favorite is “Palmdale. . .Palmdale. . .Palmdale” Crowd waves one arm in unison as the team rallies for a score.  

FOOTBALL WIVES

Luz is talking with the other Football wives. One is the Cheer-leading Coach. The other is wife of the head coach. She has the most spirit. She screams when no one else would. She shouts and pumps up the crowd. She is the one that all of them love. She is the heart.

YOUNG FALCON FRIENDS

Angelo is with his new found friends. Running up and down the stairs. He gives the cheerleaders a kiss. He’s only four years old.  He’s their mascot. He’ll be an athlete, too.

Score is 54 to 6 at half time.

Lancaster is a fine team, but simply this not their year. I heard next Friday will be for Golden League. Both teams are undefeated. Couple years ago, the Rebels beat Palmdale during our Homecoming, 27-0. Not a great atmosphere. They might have won State. Or was it CIF Sectionals. Still.

What’s best is that on any given Friday one team can win and turn around a whole new season.

NOW MATTERS

For me, it’s the time right now. Watching the kids grow up. Watching the kids stay young. Watching memories of yesterday come back again.  It is the then, the now, and tomorrow all right here. Smell of the hamburgers wafts through the air. The monotone football announcer relaying the game to the crowd. It’s the half inflated Eagle across the field. Band and flag team parade across the field. Cheerleaders from the other side invite their counterparts to sit with them in a time honored  tradition camaraderie.

CYCLE ENDS, CYCLE BEGINS

Last whistle sings and the game ends. Palmdale Second stringers get one more touchdown. Defense pitches a shutout the second half. Its one more win for the season. Both team lines up and slap hands in respect. One more happy memory. Until next year when Friday Night Lights will shine again.