By Sonny Jones
With apologies to Clement Clarke Moore, who wrote “A Visit from St. Nicholas” in 1822, let’s get ready for high school football that opens in the heat and humidity of August with a takeoff from the classic Christmas poem.
East Bladen is scheduled to host Wallace-Rose Hill on Friday. West Bladen’s game against South Columbus has been postponed because of COVID-19 protocols.
Twas the night before football, when all through the fieldhouse,
Many players were stirring, perhaps, even a mouse.
The helmets were hung by the lockers with care,
In hopes games will be played, if they dare.
The linemen were nestled all snug in the trenches,
With visions of no holding calls sending them to the benches.
And cheerleaders with their poms-poms, and the fans ready to clap,
There was no way that any of us could settle down for a nap.
When out on the field there arose such a clatter,
The fans sprang from their seats to see what was the matter.
Away to the goal line the runner flew like a flash,
Juked a defender and scored with a crash.
The moon up above shone on the field with a glow,
Gave a luster of midday to objects below.
When what to wondering eyes did appear,
But a returner breaking a tackle and into the clear.
With the speed of a sprinter so lively and quick,
We all waited for the extra-point kick.
More rapid than Eagles — or Knights, if you will,
The games and the players provide such a thrill.
“Now East Bladen! Now West Bladen! Now Clinton and Midway!
On St. Pauls! On Red Springs! On Fairmont! Let’s play!
“To the 50 and 40 the receiver carried the ball!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”
The teams will face obstacles such as COVID-19,
It is a virus that can be deadly and mean.
So up to the pressbox the coaches they knew
With their books full of plays that they themselves drew.
And then, in a twinkling, we looked back to the field,
Where time had been called and all the players would kneel.
As fans watched and were turning around,
The ref tossed his flag and it landed on the ground.
He was dressed all in stripes, from his shoulder to his waist,
And he marched off the penalty, pace by pace.
The coach flung his headphones, which landed on his back,
And he looked kind of mad and was ready to crack.
The teams played hard, until the final whistle,
That one player could run faster than a missile.
As the fans headed home and drove out of sight,
We hope everyone enjoys each and every Friday night.
Sonny Jones can be reached at wibbyj@gmail.com
About Author
