Texas High School Football

High school was a good time for me.

I mean, I ran the curve of the 200 meter just like Michael Johnson.

Except not as fast.

And I didn't have gold shoes.

And I'm white.

Tonight I was able to relive some of that glory:  Friday Night High School Football.

We didn't have Friday night football at our school.  Because we had no lights on the football field.

So instead we had Saturday afternoon football.  All the girls looked forward to the day when we'd travel to Smith Valley.  Not because of anything our team would do.

But because that Evan guy would be there.  Evan was beautiful.  He wore Carhart overalls when it got cold.  And he had biceps.  Like big ones.  I saw him once after high school.  I was still speechless.  I loved him.

Anyway, Husband said that I had to experience Texas High School Football. 

Because it's a different breed of high school football than I'm used to. 

Of course it's a different breed. 

At WHS we never even saw the second half of a football game until my junior year thanks to the 55-point mercy rule (the mercy was for us). 

Oh, and it was 8-man football.  On an 80 yard field.

No, really.

However, despite all the differences, there are some things that are still the same wherever you go (and it's at this point I wished I was back in Japan.  Because when I lived there, I never had to take a picture secretly (the reason why they're blurry).  I could suggest any picture I wanted and they automatically thought it was a good idea.  I just don't have the foreign appeal down here.  Even though sometimes I feel like Texas is a different country):

Is that a sparkly drill team cowboy hat?!

Why yes, yes it is.

They were wearing those thick, shiny tights, too.  The ones they wore in my high school.  And I wanted a pair back then.  Because I was a closet cheerleader for years.  I wanted one of those little pleated skirts.  And the pom poms.  Oh, good grief, the pom poms.  I would have sold my left arm to have some.  But I couldn't.  Because my family would have never let me live it down.

Are those polyester overall band pants?

Why yes, yes they are.

These were obviously a good idea.  They look like ski pants.  Except with a silk stripe down the side.  And just for the record, we sat right by the band the entire night and no, I still don't get band geeks.  Or their humor.

And the REAL reason I went to the game:

Are those nachos?!

Why yes, yes they are.

Nachos with jalapenos.  There's nothing quite like processed cheese from a can on top of stale tortilla chips.   And eating them as your rear turns to a cheek popsicle courtesy of metal bleachers.

Yes, they're the same everywhere.

And just for the record, I lied when I said high school was a good time for me.