Welcome to the Jungle: Friday Night Lights

This Friday was the wrap up to the flag football season here at ISR. Friday Night Lights is a tradition here where the whole community comes out to enjoy a taste of Americana; complete with cheerleaders, college fight songs, announcers, and playing the big game under the lights. This is such a big deal here that even people without kids or a connection to the school come out to support the players.

The first game pitted the 49ers versus the Steelers. The 2nd-4th graders filled out the rosters of these two storied franchises. Kade was a member of the Steelers. After a hard fought back and fourth, the game ended in a 35-35 tie. Since there was another game waiting in the wings overtime was not permitted. A few highlights from Kade's night included him scoring two touchdowns and making quite a few tackles. His most interesting highlight came after he scored his second touchdown and proceeded to do cartwheels back down the field. Apparently the officials were looking the other way and he was not flagged for excessive celebration.

In the second game of the double header the defending Superbowl Champion Saints were taking on an upstart Cowboys team (You knew with all of the Texans here the Cowboys would be one of the team names). These squads consisted of the 5th-7th graders. Sydney was a member of the Cowboys.

The Saints jumped out to an early lead but after some back and forth scoring the Cowboys emerged victorious 35-21. Sydney had some great tackles and scored a touchdown on a great 30 yard screen pass and scamper up the sidelines. She also was heading into the endzone for a second touchdown when mysteriously her flag belt fell off, untouched, at the 5 yard line.

The crowd had a great time watching the kids. All of them played very hard and came out of it feeling like they had an opportunity show their stuff on the big stage. It was quite a night.