Where's The Romance in Fall Football?

 Fall brings football to our little town. The stands full of families cheering, hot chocolate flowing, and cuddles under warm blankets. But 2020 has different plans.

This year, is so very different. Each player is allow two guest per game. I picked up my season passes in the office this week. Despite being so few, we still hung banners, cheered loudly and rang our cowbells in support of our boys. We don't complain, this season wasn't even supposed to happen. The Michigan governor wanted football to be played in the spring. Ah... we have snow until April. (?????) Lucky for us the powers-that-be in high school athletics managed to keep fall sports in the autumn but with few adjustments. (Read the MHSAA article.) We parents complied because our kids NEED this and the games are for them not us. We are simply supporters.

Nevertheless, the game went off without a hitch. Our team is wearing a first of it's kind type of  shield on their helmets so they don't have to wear fabric over their mouths on the field. (Read the article here.) The players have matching gators around their necks they pull up when they are on the sidelines sporting their team name and colors. Coaches sport masks and gators showing their team spirit and unity.

2020 Montrose Rams games look very different than years past.

Teams are a little smaller this year and they struggle with all the Covid restrictions. No team dinners or bonding exercises are allowed. Masks, spatial codes, crazy school schedules, online courses and mental stress are all factors weighing on these boys. Somehow, the boys manage with a team group chat and having fun on the field. 

As I sat in the stands, I closed my eyes for a moment. Was the romance of fall football gone?

The cool breezed carried the faint smell of  bonfires and grills tickled my nose. The grunts and and smacks of powerful young men pushing themselves to their limits for the love of the sport could be heard between the cheers of proud parents. 

I opened my eyes to look around. Bottles of water and a thermos or two were spotted among  the small crowd. Moms were chewing on their nails when their boys hit the ground. Dads jumped and shouted encouragement to their sons. Couples cuddled close and smiled at each other with love as if to say, "That's our boy!". The sky blessed us with a lovely sunset. 

Love and pride abundant. The romance of fall football remains.