Basic football fans in high spirits

By Mandy Walton

Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008 | 10:49 a.m.

Do you feel that some Henderson high schools are lacking tradition and spirit? You can't really blame them when most of our high schools are fairly new and full of kids whose families have moved to Henderson from all over the country. If you are longing to feel some real tradition, spirit, and a sense of "home," head over to a Basic High School football game.

If you've ever seen "Friday Night Lights" or "Varsity Blues," you'll know what I'm talking about.

While the Wolves are still winning their way out of a long history of football losses, you'll never find a more involved and hopeful crowd than at Don Taylor stadium. This year's homecoming was no different. Alumni and current students alike gathered to pack the stands and cheer for their "pride of the pack." And, while the Wolves certainly gave the crowd something to cheer aboutduring Friday's 28-27 loss to Del Sol, the Wolves could have been losing by 50 points and still sparked the same reaction out of the crowd.

Henderson loves Basic, and a 53-year old tradition is still alive in the hearts of students and alumni alike.

Of course, I wore my old letterman's jacket to the game. Where else can I wear a $200 royal blue and white investment that has my hard earned high school accomplishments plastered all over it? I babysat for $1 an hour to earn that jacket, so by-golly, I'm going to wear it with confidence.

My outward display of spirit made me an easy target for fundraisers and raffle ticket sales, and of course, I supportively doled out my money to support my alma mater. Armed with blankets, programs, and tickets in hand, my little family and I made our way toward the stands.

At the metal-detection gate, a woman holding a detector commented on my jacket, saying, "'99, huh? We didn't do this back in '99, did we?"

"Nope, we sure didn't," I answered back, shaking my head at how different things are, not even 10 years later.

Just as I had thought, 30 minutes before kickoff the stands beneath the press box were full at the 50-yard line. We'd have to sit on either side of that notorious crowd. I chose an empty spot in the bleachers near the 30-yard line. I watched as kids piled into the stands, almost every single one wearing a Basic-related shirt or some sort of garb reflecting homecoming spirit week. It made me happy, and proud to be part of that tradition.

When the Marine Corps JROTC brought the colors onto the field, everyone in the stands arose, and, shockingly, remained quiet for the national anthem.

As the game got into full swing, I observed Basic's involved crowd of spectators; myself included. This same crowd is always there to watch the game and yell at the referees. We're there to win or lose together. And we always stay until our guys hold up their helmets in victory or defeat.

It's hard to explain the camaraderie and sense of belonging you develop by attending Basic. Maybe it's knowing your dad played football on that field in 1972 or that your brother won a national championship in the armed drill team. If you're an outsider, I challenge you to come to a game and feel it. Even though the Wolves lost to Del Sol, we're 4-1 in division play, and we are optimistic about what's to come.