In Texas, football is king. But not just any football, high school football. Starting in August every year high school students across Texas start preparing for the upcoming seasons. Not just the actual football players, but also the band, cheerleaders, drill teams, and all of the other groups and teams that work to promote school spirit and support the local team.
For three years in high school I was one of those students. Starting in August I would get up early every morning, well early for a teenager, before it got too hot. I would head up to the school with the rest of the drill team and start learning and practicing routines. In our tennis shoes, shorts, and ponytails we would sweat and stretch and dance until our muscles ached.
5, 6, 7, 8… jump, step, kick, turn, split… and again, 5, 6, 7, 8… jump, step, kick, turn, split…
We would do it over and over again until we got it perfect. Every day, morning and afternoon. But then there would be that one day… Standing outside in the grass trying to avoid the fire ants with sweat trickling down my back I would hear it.
ba.ba.ba.bump.da.bump.da.da.bump.bump.bump.
I could hear the drums from the marching band sounding in the distance. The heat would momentarily lift, and I would swear that I could smell the scent of fall leaves on the breeze. My chest would fill with anticipation of the season to come and all of the promise that it held. Practice always seemed a little easier after that.
The summer after I graduated I got married, and that August instead of waking early to stand in the heat I was sleeping late because I worked evenings. The next year I would be in college, that did not have a football team, and working. Time would go by and the years would add up and I would forget that feeling of anticipation and promise.
Some days it is hard for me to remember that it has been over 20 years since I stood on that field in the early morning sun with sweat trickling down my back. It seems impossible that so much time could have passed. Other days the heartache and loss from those years weighs on me and I feel the weight of every second of those years.
Nowadays I roll out of bed way earlier than what I considered early back then. I get dressed and put in a full day of work. When that day is over I shut off my computer, turn out the lights, and head down the elevator. I push my way out the door into the bright summer sun and start down the sidewalk to my car so I can head home to cook dinner, do laundry, and take care of children. That’s when I hear it.
ba.ba.ba.bump.da.bump.da.da.bump.bump.bump.
The drums from the marching band at the high school a couple of streets over. In that moment the years fall away, my chest fills with anticipation and promise, my step is lighter, and I would swear that I could smell just the hint of fall leaves in the air.
I feel like I’m there with you!! Bring on Fall!
So ready for fall.
Wow…now that you have me thinking, it is hard to believe it’s been so many years.
Amazing it’s already time for high school football again. I can hear the band practicing at a nearby high school in the evenings…certainly makes me feel young. If only for a few minutes.
It definitely brings that feeling of youth for me.
You post really took me back. I too love the sound of the high school drum-line and seeing the kiddos all lined up for marching practice. Truly, it doesn’t seem like it was 25+ years ago I was doing that very same thing. Thanks for the trip down memory lane this morning!! Hope you and your subscribers have a wonderful day!!
I love walking out of work and hearing those drums in the distance. It definitely brings back some happy memories.
Details are different, and I didn’t make the drill team. But.
Me,too.
Fall is my favorite time of year. We had a cool evening the other night. It made me shiver from the thrill, not the chill.
So many beginnings in the fall.
You have me sooo excited for fall now!! (I am already gearing up for field hockey. We start full practices next week.) I’m ready to go to the HS games and cheer them on and I am ready to yell at the TV set like a crazy person for my favorite college and pro teams.
Bring it!!
I will be right there with you. I can’t wait for football!!!!
I love football. We go to all the home games for our college alma mater, since we still live here. I was not involved in any football related activities in high school, but went to most games. I just love fall. And you should take the kids to some games this fall!
The year I started working for my alma mater we got football back. We’ve taken Cady to some of the games, but this year I’m hoping to take both kids. I love it.
Thanks for stirring up the “14 year old band geek who felt she was soo cool because she got to date the drum major but was really just ridiculously awkward” in me. Fall is a season full of nostalgia for me too and I’m so happy to be returning to the states in time to see all the beautiful leaves changing.
You’re welcome. I think for those of us that had this experience there will always be part of it that travels with us.
Damn! I can feel your pain!! Football is life!!
Football is definitely life here!
I was in the band! 4 long years of marching. I swore every year that I marched in the heat that I couldn’t wait to never have to do it again. I miss it. LOL We just moved from outside the city limits, to the city, one street over from our stadium. Just the other day I started hearing whistles. Can’t wait for Friday nights, as I know i’ll hear everything!!
Doesn’t it fire something up in you to hear that sound?
I am currently rewatching Friday Night Lights on Netflix
Up north, things were a little different with regard to football, but yup, I was there as a cheerleader and every once in awhile, when I catch a competition on TV, it takes me right back.
Oh, and I have to bite my tongue on the sidelines at The Boy’s games, because I don’t like the way they coach the girls. Mind you, I’m not going to volunteer, so I keep my mouth shut, but I don’t like it!
Can you believe that I have not seen one episode of that show? I know, I know. I need to watch it.
The back of our house faces the football field of the high school. Yesterday, I was home because I took the day off. When I went outside, I saw the football teams practicing and heard the band practicing. I love this time of year.
Oh gosh me too. LOVE it!
Yes, this made me think of “Friday Night Lights,” too! I went to a high school with no football team, but my sister was the cheerleader for hers, so my entire middle school memories are wrapped around being in the bleachers cheering for her and their team, wandering under the bleachers and weaving my way to the concession stand. Loved those fall evenings.
No football team? That’s blasphemy. I’m pretty sure Texas schools would give up teaching history and science to keep football. (Which is a ‘hole ‘nother issue.)
There is nothing like Texas football. I have not experienced it since I left in 1998, but I was right there with you- the sound, the smell, the crisp air and the whistle sound from the refs….. if I try a little harder, I can even smell the vinegar scent of those giant pickles they sold at the games.
Nothing like it at all. When I started writing this I actually thought about you because I knew you would feel the same way. Remember those clackers we used? I can still feel them in my hands.
Oh what a great post!!! You absolutely captured the very feelings i have for football. I was also in drill team in high school and in junior college for 2years. I had flashback of frito chili pies ( open the top end of fritos bags and add chili and cheese on top and eat of the bag), cheering on our teams, and dancing in the stands when we weren’t on the field. In my small town, you were either on the foot ball team, drillteam, band, flag squad, or cheerleader OR you worked the concession stand, if you werent in the stands. Either way EVERYONE was at the games .
If I had not gotten married right out of high school I would have tried out to participate in college. I loved it. I can still remember some of the hand routines we did in the stands.