This is the week we have all been waiting for. Our Pioneers are 12-0. We worked all the way through the playoff bracket and are playing for the Class 6A-II Championship under the Friday Night Lights in Owasso, Oklahoma against Bixby. Lots of build up and pressure as the week progressed. The team had their LAST Team Dinner on Thursday night. Friday there was an amazing Pep Rally, which also kicked of Wrestling season, and a GREAT send off for the team with the whole school gathering in front of the school to sing and cheer as the buses pulled out for the 1.5 hour trip to Owasso. So much riding on this single moment in time.
The biggest threat, however, was not necessarily the Bixby Spartans. The Oklahoma weather was having a hard time remembering it was winter, and not Spring. Storms were rolling through, and there was a threat of severe weather, including tornadoes! We wanted to get to the stadium early, so the Weavers rolled out before 4pm to head over to the game. We got there before the gates were even open! Not too long after we settled in to our seats, there was a tornado warning and the entire stadium was evacuated. We went to the indoor practice facility directly behind the stadium and waiting out this wave of weather. We were in there about half an hour, and the game was set with a new kickoff time of 7:25pm.
The game was a good one. Played close. Defense was definitely carrying our team - we had a hard time getting anything really going on offense,. And as expected, it was an intense time. Both teams got sideline warnings and the fans were really into it! The Stillwater (Away) side of the stadium was PACKED with football fans true to the bronze and blue! It was extraordinary to see so many people roll out and make the drive in questionable weather to see the boys vie for the Championship.
 |
| THIS CREW! So much love... |
By halftime, we were behind on the scoreboard, but still fighting hard. The pep band was there to help with the atmosphere, and the fans were still 100 percent behind these boys! The weather was still giving us fits - occasional sprinkles and big gusts of wind. A few minutes in to the fourth quarter, we were evacuated again, And this was a BIG one! As we were trying to navigate our way down the stadium stairs, we were pummeled with rain and HUGE gusts of wind. It was a bug unnerving to say the least! And then, getting into the indoor facility was marred by epople who went 5 feet inside the door, then STOPPED! Luckily, the team and trainers were in another building and didn't have to deal with the fans. We spent over 2 hours in this holding pattern. We even went to the car, prepared to leave, when at 11:40 they announced we would resume play at MIDNIGHT! Jake and Finn chose to stay in the car, but Mom and Dad had a game to finish.
 |
| Traditional Halftime Photo! |
Ultimately, the game did not end up the way we had hoped. It was so so late. Everyone was wet, and cold. We received the Silver Ball trophy, as well as a plaque for being first in Academic GPA for our class, All things to be very proud of, but the sting of defeat is oh so real. It was well past 2:00am when we got home, and almost 3 when Lara got home. This one was going to take some time to heal from. And to dry out from!
Saturday was spent recovering and resting. Sunday, too. Then Lara was a social butterfly and went to 2 parties. One was a Christmas cookie decorating party and the other was a surprise 16th birthday party for a friend. She was WORN OUT when she got home - people-ing is hard!
Hard to believe Christmas is right around the corner. Another week in the books. What will next weekend hold?!? (Maybe next week I won't be super late with the update. It's already Friday night now... )
No comments:
Post a Comment