Sandpoint, ID

“Here We Go Bulldogs, Here We Go”, is a familiar chant you will hear around Memorial Field any given Friday night during high school football season. This Friday night was homecoming so my friends and I headed down to the field to catch the game. We arrived a little late since we decided to grab a bite to eat at Dub’s before we went to the game, a popular spot to get some food before the game starts. Since the bleachers were mostly full and the likelihood of us finding seats all together was going to be slim we decided to stand on the sidelines. We were standing on the opposing teams side but it did have some advantages. We had a 7 year old kid with us who is full of energy and the baseball diamond had plenty of room to run around with his friends, who he either knew before or had met that night!

The game started out fantastic, with the Bulldogs in a comfortable lead. I thought for sure the Victory Bell was going to be rung tonight! As the game continued on, plays, flags and penalties were all seen. The highly anticipated half time show was a little lacking even with the crowing of the Homecoming King and Queen. I guess nothing can compare to my fond memories of my old high school days.

As the game proceeded and the sun set, the cold air off the lake — near where the field is located — started to roll in. We could see our breath and joked we were in Green Bay, but there wasn’t a Packer’s jersey or cheesehead in site! I started to wish I had worn my lettermen’s jacket from high school to keep me warm, but alas I had opted for a light jacket that night! I also wished we would have brought collapsible chairs with us as we had been standing the whole night and my feet were beginning to hurt, luckily the quarters were only twelve minutes long. There was room on the opposing team’s bleachers but we did not want to be traitors to our home team! I just added it to the mental list for next year so we will be sure to bring chairs, blankets and heavier jackets.

The Bulldog’s success in the two first quarters faded and we ended up losing the game. It was disappointing, but hey you can’t win them all! If you would like to go to a Sandpoint high school football game the seasons schedule, usually from late August to late October, can be found at http://www.sd84.k12.id.us/SHS/athletics/football/. Games start at 7pm and admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children. The website is also full of past and present stats and records. The easiest way to get to Memorial field is to take Highway 2 heading west and turn left on to Ontario just after the Federal Building, ending at 855 Ontario. Free Parking can be found along the side streets. I would recommend showing up between 6:15 to 6:30 to get a great seat in the bleachers.