FRIDAY NIGHT IN IRA

By
September 15, 2007

There has to be a song in that somewhere. There was a good crowd there with it being homecoming and all. If you were not there, I wished you had been. It doesn’t get any better than seeing a good Six-Man game. We are talking a game where the community comes out in force to cheer their team. It was a typical homecoming game where most people watched the game and some visited with friends from days gone by. The field was in grand shape thanks to the work of the coaches and player’s dads and other volunteers. It was a Six-Man setting at its best. Enough about the atmosphere.

Entering this game, the visitors from Aspermont were supporting a 2 and 0 record that matched the Ira Bulldogs record. Two undefeated teams coming together means someone leaves with a loss. The folks in the know of such things had Ira as the favorite to win by about a touchdown. I myself thought I would see Ira win by perhaps 20 points.

The game began with Ira kicking off to the Hornets of Aspermont. Folks were still trying to find their seats when Trace Myers of Aspermont scored on a 14 yard run with just 56 seconds elapsed off the clock. The PAT was good and the Ira homecoming crowd seemed a bit stunned to see the Dogs down by 8 points so quick.

Enter the Ira offense and Mr. Andy Rivera. With a mere additional 18 seconds run off the clock this game was tied 8-8. Less than a minute later, Aspermont scored again and led 16-8 with 7:49 left in the first quarter.

Sensing an opportunity to extend their lead Aspermont tried an onside kick and recovered the ball. Unfortunately the Hornets would turn the ball over immediately on an interception. The Ira Bulldogs soon returned the favor by fumbling the ball into the hands of the Hornets. Another Trace Myers touchdown run and PAT had the Aspermont Hornets up by the score of 24-8. I am surprised the game was halted for lightning. Lightning scoring that is. There was still 6:21 left in the first quarter. Momentum was alive and well in the Aspermont cheering section. With that being said, I commented to a fan from Aspermont that there was lots of football to be played and that the Hornets looked a little winded.

At the 4:46 mark of the first quarter Ira scored again but missed the PAT and trailed 24-14. Aspermont soon again turned the ball over and Ira made them pay by scoring and made their PAT to cut the lead to 24-22 with 3:18 left still in the first quarter. By the way, Mr. Momentum had raced across the field to the Bulldogs side. A game within the game had developed by now. It was a battle between Andy Rivera of Ira and Leon Miller of Aspermont. Rivera was doing his thing running the ball but Leon Miller was tackling hard. Again the turnover bug was biting the Hornets and Ira scored again with 1:52 left in the first quarter. They missed the PAT but Ira was in the lead 28-24 when the first quarter finally ended. Ten minutes of playing time had yielded 52 points of scoring.

The Hornets of Aspermont may have looked winded earlier but they show no sign of quitting. With 6:48 left in the second quarter they regained the lead 30-28. Ira came right back and scored with 5:36 left in the half to lead 36 to 30. Aspermont got the ball back and once again was driving the ball down the field. The Bulldogs defense started digging in and stopped the Hornets on a 4th down attempt. I believe that was the play of the game.

Ira scored again with 2:47 left in the half but missed the PAT and led 42-30. Aspermont turned the ball over again and Ira scored again and added the PAT to lead 50 to 30. Quite a comeback after trailing 24-8 in the first quarter.

Here is where Aspermont could have folded their tent and gone home. Instead they scored with 3 seconds left in the half and trailed 50-38. They kicked off to Ira and an Ira played fell on the ball with 1 second showing on the clock. 1 second, time to get one play off maybe. Unbelievable as it may sound, not only did Ira get the play off, Rivera scored from 55 yards out and with the PAT led 58-38 to end the half.

In the third Ira increased their lead to 66-38. Aspermont refused to go away. They cut the lead to 66-46 with 9:15 left in the game. Then 66-54 with 3:53 left.. Ira came back to extend the lead 72-54 with 3:18 left. Aspermont scored again with 2:07 left trailing then by the score of 72-62. One more time Ira found the end zone to lead 80-62 with :45 seconds left. Aspermont showing the heart of a champion scored again on the final play of the game. The final score was 80-68.

I had questioned what kind of team Aspermont had. I found out tonight that they are a very good team. Take away five key turnovers and this score could be reversed. On the other hand, The Bulldogs of Ira kept their cool after falling behind early and showed they are a team that upcoming opponents better be ready for.

IRA, HERE’S TO YOU! Thanks for a great time.

Don Hardin
Abilene

txsixii@yahoo.com

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