Last Friday morning, I did not make it to the coffee shop to see Dale and Gaylen and the crew because Rose and I were attacked by a group of coyotes on our front porch and I had to…….I lied, I just overslept and then played golf. The coyote thing sounded good at first but…..nah! Anyway, Friday not only started the Labor Day weekend, but football was back at full throttle. Greenville lost, but I do see some good coming for them. They are young, but they are also learning and I see progress. They will get better! Tri-Village lost, Arcanum won, and the MAC conference should be a dog fight again, with Marion Local looking strong again. Speaking of High School, do you know where the first High School game was played in Ohio? I’ll give you the answer later.
Saturday was a full slate of college games, and the usual suspects are good again. Ohio State, Georgia, and Texas thumped lesser opponents, while Oregon, even though they won, was a lot less impressive. I was glad to see OSU try and run the ball more, and I also think that Howard will be a really good QB. Georgia is Georgia again, they looked real tough, and so did their arch nemesis, Alabama. Notre Dame, not a favorite of mine, looked ok, but needs some work. At this point, I have no idea who is going to challenge seriously Georgia for the national title, Ohio State maybe, but they still need to run the ball better, as does Oregon. Should be a great college football year! By the way, do you know when cheerleading started in college ball? The answer later!
All fall sports are going strong so let’s not forget cross country, golf, soccer, volleyball (there is some really good volleyball played around here!), field hockey and Girls Tennis. These athletes work just as hard at their craft as football and basketball does, and they are good examples for others. While I’m on it, don’t forget the band kids. If you watch them practice, you will see what I mean. They contribute as much as the other athletes for their schools. One other thought before the answers to the trivia questions: Parents, let the kids play, leave the officials alone, cheer, not jeer for all of them, and please, represent your kids and school like an adult. Most of you do, some of you don’t and you probably know which one you are, If you are the latter, either get help or stay home!
Now the answer to where the first High School football game was played? It was in Cleveland at the oldest public High School in the State, Cleveland Central High School and the Newest High School Cleveland University School which had barely been open six weeks. This was also the first High School game in the Midwest. The game took place in 1890! University school won 20-0.
The answer, to when did college cheerleading start? On November 2, 1898 when University of Minnesota student, Johnny Campbell, led the student body in a chant. That event is now celebrated as the “Birth of Cheerleading”. The first known cheer, however, was at a Princeton game in the 1860’s.
See, now you can tell people you know stuff! Have a great Labor Day weekend and don’t forget those who have to work to keep us safe! HAPPY LABOR DAY EVERYBODY!
Football game in the 1860’s.
