Tough Loss

By Chris
Went to Darling Stadium to watch Lauren's first varsity cheering game -- Indian River vs. Hampton. Football is big-time at Hampton, in the very impressive Darling Stadium. Big crowd on both sides of the field . . . very cool that Lauren is part of the "Friday Nigth Lights" atmosphere that is serious high school football. Being IR alumni, Teresa and I get into following the Braves, who have built a pretty good program again. We had a big Braves crowd and Lauren did good. It's surreal watching her do "rowser" . . . a cheerleader celebration dance done to a song played by the band everytime IR scores. The same "rowser" that was played and danced after every touchdown when Teresa and I were in high school. Sort of an IR tradition . . . and Lauren's front and center leading it now. The team lost 14-7 . . . very respectable against the Crabbers. We should have won . . . 2 really bad calls, which you expect at Hampton.

They are quite the football good ol' boys over there. $3 for parking. A crazy golf cart with lights, air horns and stuff on it made obnoxious noises all night on their side. After one touch down, some fireworks shot off in the neighborhood behind the stadium!

Deep Creek is up next Friday, at their place, and they are almost as crazy as Hampton. Then, it's Great Bridge at home. Should be fun. They're our old rivals and Lauren has a bunch of church friends at Great Bridge. Hope we beat 'em pretty good!