In 2010, country music star Kenny Chesney released a song that captured the hearts and imaginations of countless fans. It wasn’t just country music fans. It was football fans, especially those who have had the privilege of playing the game.
Chesney’s “The Boys of Fall” reignited the embers of long-burning, fond memories of one of this nation’s greatest passions – high school football.
Truly a great American tradition, it provokes the deepest of emotions in those who reminisce about their gridiron glory days. It was in those days that teamwork became a thing; when shared sacrifices grew bonds of brotherhood and respect that would not fade away. Chesney’s song captured that essence.
When I feel that chill, smell that fresh cut grass
I’m back in my helmet, cleats and shoulder pads
Standing in the huddle listening to the call
Fans going crazy for the boys of Fall.
Well, it’s turn and face the Stars and Stripes
It’s fighting back them butterflies
It’s call it in the air, alright, yes sir, we want the ball.
And it’s knocking heads and talking trash
It’s slinging mud and dirt and grass
It’s I got your number, I got your back when your back’s against the wall
You mess with one man, you got us all
The boys of Fall.
Those days pass and others come. So does education, life’s work, marriage and family, as life becomes full. Through it all, the memories linger and from time to time, provide sweet reminders of those fleeting glory days. Meanwhile, those who remember live vicariously through the lives of their sons and grandsons who take their turn on the field.
Earlier this year, a former Statesboro High School football player was in town visiting family and doing some research at GSU. He contacted an old teammate and told him he’d like to bring him something. He had scored some game film from back in the early ‘70s and digitized it. What might have been a brief thirty minute catch up visit became hours of football war stories. A recounting of exact play calls, individual tackles, legendary touchdowns and teammate’s names not remembered in a long, long time.
During the course of this flashback, something was mentioned about a recent class reunion. “Were you there?” one of them asked. “No,” was the answer. And then the inevitable question, “Wouldn’t it be great to have a football reunion?’
A few weeks later, a group of five or six former teammates decided to meet for lunch and make plans for a football reunion. Thirteen or fourteen showed up. Ultimately, not too much planning was accomplished. The meeting was a reunion in and of itself.
Reunion Details: Come one, come all!
On Saturday, October 19, members of the 1970 through 1973 graduating classes’ Statesboro High School football teams will gather from 5:00pm to 9:00pm at Uncle Shug’s Bar-B-Que Place on S. Main St. in Statesboro. As the word has spread, some players from before and after those years will also attend. So, come one, come all!
Friday, October 18:
- 3:45pm: 1970s football players can meet with this year's Blue Devils during their pre-game schedule.
- 7:30pm: Here, you can purchase a ticket to attend Friday night's home game against Evans. Members of the 1970s team will be recognized at halftime.
Saturday, October 19:
- 5pm - 9pm: Members of the 1970s football team will get together at Uncle Shug's Bar-B-Que Place on Hwy. 301 in Statesboro with guest of honor Coach Ronnie Hodges.
If you plan to attend, please contact:
John Mallard
(803) 727-0004
mallardk@bellsouth.net
Tickets for Friday night's game can be purchased through gofan.co.
There is one other thing that all these men share. To a man, all those who have heard about the event have asked the same question. “Will Coach Hodges be there?” Coach Ronnie Hodges was that coach. The one for whom every player would run, or attempt to run, through the proverbial brick wall.
It’s a story told many times in many places, but the inspiration he provided young men was indisputable. Most if not all, when asked who had the greatest influence on their early life, will say, “Dad and Coach Hodges.” Coach Ronnie Hodges will be our guest of honor on the 19th.
Brilliant ideas like this have a way of growing. Along the way, the idea of attending the Statesboro Blue Devil’s home game against Evans as a group the night before, October 18. took shape. So, that’s the plan.
Current Head Football Coach Matt Dobson got wind of this and has arranged for all former players to be introduced at halftime. Also, for any attendees who can arrive by 3:45 that afternoon, Coach Dobson has invited them to visit with this year’s Blue Devils during their pre-game schedule. If you can be there for this, we will meet at the Blue Devils’ locker room, behind the location of the scoreboard back in our day.
Sounds like a great time, doesn’t it? Do you feel that chill?