It’s been a little while since I followed high school football at all closely. More accurately, it’s been a little over 20 years, which is how long it’s been since I was in the band and a student at Liberty High School…and at practically every varsity football game for four years.
The Saucon Valley Panther and a helper fire up the crowd at a game
Tonight I’m headed to see the Saucon Valley Panthers take on Imhotep Charter in the biggest football game in the district’s history at Liberty. I’m feeling a full-circle kind of feeling, and it feels good…because the camaraderie that comes from being a high school sports fan I’ve realized is something that’s been missing from my life.
Being a local journalist requires me to always keep a close eye on high school sports–but that’s not the same thing as being emotionally invested in them.
The 2015 Saucon Valley football team is something special–not just because of their incredible talent, and the way they’ve brought an entire community together, but also for convincing me it was OK to deposit my emotion in something bigger than myself again. I didn’t think I’d ever do that again, but I have and it feels great.
I’m not the only one who can say this. When I look around the packed stands at any football game I see people of all ages–including many older than me–with sparkles in their eyes. They are young again watching these gifted athletes play football with 110 percent of their hearts, united toward a common goal. It is something magical to see and something you won’t experience watching the game on TV.
It’s Christmastime, and the season when we are reminded (frequently) to “believe.”
I have found a new reason to believe, thanks to our boys. I hope you have too. And I hope that regardless of what happens tonight, we all remember this feeling for a long time. Life is too short not to believe in something bigger than yourself.
Thank you, Panthers, and good luck. The Source is with you!
Indeed, everyone in the Saucon Valley School District is very proud of our Panthers! It must be noted however, any ranking system that enables a 14-0 team like the Panthers to come up against a team like Imhotep Charter, is a flawed system. That said, the team played with poise and made the best of a very difficult matchup. Good luck to you all!