Homecoming night was pleasant for everyone, except the Halifax Football team. The stands were packed with enthusiastic fans ready to watch the greatly anticipated match against the Tri-Valley Bulldogs. But the Wildcats were offbeat throughout most of the game, and Tri-Valley was well rehearsed and eager to take advantage of every mistake their opponent made.
In the first quarter Tri-valley scored two touchdowns five minutes apart. The first extra point they missed, but they made up for it by running in for two points after the second touchdown. Halifax copied the Bulldogs exactly in the second quarter. Allan Kaufman ran the ball 41 yards into the end zone, but the additional point did no go through. Then, with less than a minute left in the first half Robert Moretz ran up the right side of the field for Halifax’s second touchdown. Kaufman rushed in the extra two points. At the end of the half, the score was tied at fourteen.
While the two football teams conversed over the game’s events, a caravan of cars drove the homecoming court around the football stadium. The seven girls and their escorts were greeted by a wall of fans and loud cheers. Each individual was introduced, and then the crowd hushed as the announcer revealed the new homecoming queen, Mandy Snody.
Although Halifax had a great comeback before the half, they simply could not contain Tri-Valleys offense. Eight minutes into the third quarter, the Bulldogs delivered their third touchdown. Defensively the home team had single individuals who played well, but as a team they could not seem to stop their rival. Kaufman made nine solo tackles and assisted in six. Senior Ryan Minnich also made five solo take downs and aided in five others. But this was not enough to totally halt Tri-Valley’s momentum. Halfway through the last quarter Tri-Valley made their fourth and final touchdown. They did not make either of their extra point attempts in the second half. The final score was Tri-Valley 26, Halifax 14.
The crowd started to leave as the last minute in the game ran out. There were mixed feelings among the Halifax football players. Some were content with their effort, but not with the outcome; others were disappointed with both. Still others remembered each and every mistake which was made, intending to learn from them and come back twice as fierce next time.
