From the Sidelines: Garden City Sixman Shootout

By Dency McClure

 We rolled into Garden City early Thursday afternoon with the Fandominium in tow. Coach Jeff Jones met us and showed us the perfect place to camp on the campus. Right behind the home stands by the shot put. A row of large pine trees just waiting to shade us in the heat of the day. It was the perfect spot for running back to between games, during halftime or after games. It was extra nice because the players walked right by the big window on their way to the field so I always knew when it was time to leave the ac and jump back into the heat.

Being on a 1A campus is nostalgic for me. I love the sound of swings squeaking and the voices of children laughing and playing wafting through the air like a breeze of contentment. The voices of high school kids visiting by their trucks and making plans. The teachers and coaches giving instructions just a bit louder so everyone can hear. My favorite from the weekend was the sound of Gators and golf carts buzzing all around. Carrying water coolers, supplies and people. It’s the most awesome transportation on campus. Tempting to do some Gator racing for sure.

Once we got settled, Coach Jones took us for a quick tour of the new gymnasium. Bobbie Brown was correct in calling it the “Taj Mahal” of 1A gyms. I couldn’t think of anything I would change, and it was a blessing to the eye. My favorite thing is the giant scoreboard hanging down in the middle like a crown of crowns saying this is the place to play. I often find myself a bit in awe, as in standing with my mouth hanging open, at some of the facilities small schools have been blessed with. The land around Garden City appears barren to the eye, but it is a rich and giving land.

We learned that we would get to eat with the players and coaches every night and have lunch in the cafeteria on Friday. What an unexpected nicety. Not only for the food but for the fellowship. It’s always nice to see the players without helmets and coaches released from the burden of the game. Some downtime conversation is always good.

On our way back to the stadium to start making game preparations, we ran into the Klondike Crew. They are always a good group to visit with. Coach Degraffenried told us that he played for Coach Jeff Jones his freshman and sophomore years at Crane. I thought that was pretty cool and even neater that Degraffenried now has his own team playing at his past coaches’ event.

Michael got all set in the press box, and I made my way to the field with my camera gear. Five o’clock is no joke in the August heat. Had my cap and my water bottle at the ready. Let me thank everyone in advance for letting me refill my water bottle from your coolers during the games. As you know, it’s a must and I appreciate it.

The kickoff of the first Garden City Shootout soon commenced and we were off for another great opening weekend of the Sixman Season. I love how we do it in Sixman. All these multi-game events remind me of family reunions. We all come together every year to kick off the season in style. It's a great tradition! A Sixman tradition! Because just watching one game opening week is not enough when you are Sixman Crazy!

I love to listen to Delmer Batla announce at the games with the help of his trusty spotter, Travis Pate. After spending hours with them in the press box because of lightning delays, we have become forever friends. Crossing paths throughout the Sixman seasons. They travel all over as do we. I call them “the flip phone guys” with great tenderness and appreciation for all they do.

I’m the photo lady so having to do videos and learn ScoreStream this season has added some responsibilities to which I am not accustomed. I was chugging right along with entering scores until Bastrop Tribe started making 4pt field goals against Sterling City. ScoreStream doesn’t have a button for that. Up to that game, I think I had seen two successful field goals my entire life. They made two in that game alone so now I have seen twice as many. Pretty major in the realm of things.

I caught as many coaches as I could that I hadn’t already interviewed this year. If I missed yours I apologize. Sometimes it just isn’t meant to be and it doesn’t work out. Interviewing coaches is interesting. They are like all the rest of us. Some love it and like to talk while others see me coming and want to run for the hills. I have gotten to where I give them the question run down and ask if all the questions are acceptable to them and then I tell them I’m recording so if they mess up we can start over. FYI I have messed up at least twice this season and been the reason for a restart. Because I’m so awesome like that.

Lots of times at opening week events, the chain gang stays the same for all the games. So I couldn’t resist teasing them the very first game to see if they would be hanging out with me all three days or not. They informed me they would be getting some relief so wouldn’t be doing all the games completely by themselves. One of the chain gang happened to be Glasscock Counties very own Sheriff Keith Burnett. He quickly asked me if that was my new home behind the bleachers. When I told him it was indeed, he gave me a business card and told me to let him know if we needed anything during our stay. The hospitality in Garden City was nothing short of spectacular.

When facing Balmorhea, I once heard a coach say “stop playing like you are scared”. They were scared and with good reason. Have you been hit by Kyle?! Or any of the Balmorhea boys? I have covered Balmorhea many times and during Thursday’s game, I was super impressed by number eight and his ability to carry players on his back for major yardage. I was so impressed I consulted Bobbie Brown and Leman Saunders during the game on just who this new number eight was. I quickly found out it was still the amazing Marcos Mendoza from previous seasons. I had mistakenly thought he had graduated as so many others did last year. I am a huge admirer of his strength and form. While dragging multiple players along, he keeps a tight hold on the ball and reaches out as far as he can before landing for added yardage. FYI he is a beast and will carry all six of the other team into the end zone for a touchdown if the need arises. Beast-Mode Mendoza! By the way Balmorhea, where was the horn!?!

I enjoyed watching all the games, fans, coaches etc. It’s more than just the game that makes Sixman so great. The Sterling City Eagles have a new run through since the last time I saw them. It’s a huge eagle with large talons. I was a little afraid it would take flight and have us all for a snack. In all seriousness though, it was quite impressive and a run through to be proud of as I could tell the fans were.

When Rankin arrived, they brought their own announcer, and I must say the game was on at that point. I felt like I should be bouncing up and down in the corner of a boxing ring ready to throw a punch. He was full of energy and got us all pumped up for the game. I’ve enjoyed listening to him in the past and hope to hear him again.
 
Hats off to all the mascots that battled the heat for the Shoot Out. My youngest daughter was the Paint Rock Indian Chief Wanna Win for a couple of years so I know the perils of the mascot life. One time she was performing and ants were crawling on her and she could see them crawling around inside the costume head. Needless to say the minute it was over she hit the truck and stripped like a wild Indian.

On Friday Coach Jones took us to lunch in the school cafeteria. He told us it would be a great meal and great atmosphere. He was correct on all fronts. The food was fantastic! We had sloppy joes with all the fixings and grape salad. I had quite a bit of grape salad. Several staff members made sure I didn’t miss the grape salad, and I did not. If you have never been to the Garden City cafeteria manager Reeann McKinnon has made it a time capsule with amazing food. When you enter you leave the present behind and enter a 1960’s diner. Complete with lots of real antiques and a cardboard flashing jukebox. I kept looking around and seeing more an more neat things. Coca Cola signs, records, food ads from the 60’s, an old phone booth and the list goes on and on. It was worth the trip to go back in time.

When I first started covering Garden City, there was a ball boy named Hunter McMillan that would talk my ear off. I always enjoyed visiting with him on the sidelines over the years. He is now a junior and playing in the games. I always enjoy watching him play and getting a hug and  visit with him. He has turned out to be an impressive player.

Also on Friday, we were invited to Coach Wiburn's home for an after-game gathering. I know when I see co-workers gather where they can share about their work and enjoy each others company it’s a good thing. Teachers and coaches’ families need each other. It’s a job of long hours and never ending duties so when the families can bond together in support and social enjoyment it’s a great thing. Elizabeth Wilburn laid out an amazing spread of homemade sliders, cookies, chips and dips etc. I don’t know how she did it all with a toddler and a new baby. It was fantastic and much appreciated after day two of covering games.

Day three of the Shoot Out began with a bang, and I mean literally. I woke up to gunshots. I’m not a city girl so started to go back to sleep and then realized I was on a school campus. Even though it was Saturday, I thought I better listen for a minute and figure out where they were coming from. I quickly ascertained that they were coming from the opposite direction so went back to sleep. Yep, it was the opening day of Dove season.

I enjoyed the last morning in my lawn chair with a cup of coffee in the breeze and the shade of the pine trees. I was kind of putting off going back inside to stare at a computer screen again. I love taking sports photos and seeing what I caught, but it is hours of looking at a computer screen and breaks are a necessary thing for the eyes and mental stability. While I was outside, the band director, John Miller, was taking a walk and happened by. I thoroughly enjoyed a visit with him, and I am very impressed how well his elementary and junior high kids did performing at the pep rally and game.

When day three was coming to a close, the superintendent, Scott Bicknell, asked if we would be staying one more night. I said, “please.” He laughed and told me absolutely we were welcome to stay as long as we needed. The hospitality at Garden City was top notch. Everyone was friendly, supportive, helpful, and unbelievably accommodating to anything we needed. We had a great trip and appreciate everything Garden City as a whole did to make it great.

All good things must come to an end. As the last teams circled up in prayer on the field, Delmer sang “Turn Out the Lights the Party’s Over” from the press box.
 
See you on the Sidelines!