From the Sidelines: White Deer vs Borden County

By Bobbie Brown

You know when your kid plays on the team, and you get all excited about each game? And when the game is going on, you feel highly emotional about most plays because your awesome kid is playing in it. I don’t have a kid playing anymore, but I still feel those feelings on occasion when I attend a game. I know that sounds a bit strange. Let me explain…
 
The White Deer/Borden County matchup was a little personal. I grew up with the coaches from Borden County. They are like my brothers. Anyone who grew up in Jayton during that time period feels the same way I do. It’s hard to explain. We are all a big family. Still. And always. I know them as wonderful people, and I know how they coach. And then on the other side there are two coaches from White Deer that coached my child. My son wasn’t the easiest thing in the world, but it says a lot that my son still really loves them because they were and are great coaches. And let’s face it… My son and I both really like the White Deer coaches as human beings. They are good people.
 
As unbiased as I am (I have lots of practice because of Little League – that’s a whole other story), I find myself in the situation of telling the story of a game through pictures. Last night’s game was a hard story to tell. I can tell you I felt an upset coming deep in my gut. And that’s exactly what happened. While I was incredibly happy for Rucker and the White Deer Bucks, I found myself feeling very sad for the Borden County Coyotes. I have favorite coaches because I have known them for a long time or because I’ve met them and know them to be awesome people. I do have my favorites. I’m human.
 
And that’s the way it is for players, too. While I know a lot about blocking, tackling, and offensive plays, I’m still a female (if that’s what you want to blame it on lol). I watch players. I can tell a lot by not just how they play on the field but how they interact with coaches and fans. And that’s interaction when they win or when they lose. Each team I cover I find has several players that have larger than life personalities. I also pay attention to those who are quiet leaders. The serious players with laser-sharp focus. When I see these players several times, I find I really want them to do well. I guess you can call that favoritism, but I just call it a part of the game because I watch several players from every team I cover. It’s hard not having a “team” to root for, but I have found that all different kinds of teams are my team. I see you all that way. My 1A team.
 
Last night’s Coyotes vs Bucks was incredible for three complete quarters. The fourth quarter saw a White Deer team that gathered steam and just stuck it to the Coyotes. The coyotes are pretty banged up. It’s hard to have team consistency week in and week out when players are missing because of injuries. I hate it when players are injured. As I know each of you out there do. That is not to take away from the Bucks. They played from the very first whistle to the very last like their hair was on fire! Each quarter they improved. The Coyotes just couldn’t play themselves out of the hole at the end. It was a great game!
 
Ok folks of 1A… I’ll be out there watching and rooting for teams and players alike. I’m watching those I know and looking for new players I haven’t seen before. And if you see me, strike a pose! I love taking pictures of fans! Until the next go ‘round, Go forward and do GOOD!