Friday Night Lights are back

Friday, Sept. 21, 2007

First, let’s look at our new coach. Coach Pratley has been a breath of fresh air into a stagnant area that means a lot to an entire community. His ideas, vision and attitude have breathed life into a dying program.

This we all know and this has all been said since it was announced that he would be coming to Leonardtown. What hasn’t been said, (and if you picked up any local paper, you probably read it) were things like, ‘‘Hagens admitted being surprised as he and the Cougars received a much different look with the Pratley Raiders” and ‘‘‘It wasn’t what I was expecting,” Hagens said. ‘‘They came out and played well. They put up a tough game against us.’” It has to be noted that ‘‘Hagens” is Marquis Hagens, Thomas Stone’s varsity quarterback. After just one game, Coach Pratley brought respect back to the Leonardtown name. Victory!

Having spent the last three seasons in the bleachers, on the sidelines, in the midst of things (albeit through a varsity cheerleader), I’ve watched this team from the JV level. I watched them go from bright-eyed, excitable freshman to frustrated, disillusioned varsity players. One of the weaknesses was they got down, and they stayed down.

Sept. 7 saw a team that got down, but fought until the end. I witnessed Coach Pratley, in his suit, running up and down the sidelines pumping up the players and not letting them get to a point where they stayed down. Victory!

While the scoreboard showed a loss to us, it can by no means be considered a defeat. Not only did these boys keep their heads in the game, they proved something to themselves, their coach, the fans, everyone who has an interest in high school football in this area. Victory!

Football at LHS has always been well-attended and supported regardless of the previous season’s outcome, but Sept. 7 was the first time I ever had to experience waiting in a line other than the concession stand. The line to purchase tickets for the game (when I entered it at 5:56 p.m.) stretched all the way beyond the front entrance of the high school. And it extended to beyond the end of the building before I got my ticket. Looks like I’ll have to get to the ticket counter earlier because I couldn’t even get a seat. Victory!

Having watched the freshman and JV teams play the Thursday night before, with the JV winning, and the freshman team losing a heartbreaker to a team that was bigger and had a staff that had been together for quite a long time, I experienced a thrill that I have not had in my lifetime at this level of play. (OK, I do have to admit I have a player on the freshman team!) The coaches, the players, the parents all brought an enthusiasm to the field that has not been seen in a very long time in this program. The visiting side stands were just as full if not fuller than the home team. Victory!

Talking with most of the coaches from the freshman level all the way up to the varsity has been an enjoyable and enlightening experience beyond my expectations. This coaching staff has been not only dedicated and loyal throughout the years, but they are showing an appreciation and respect to Coach Pratley that makes you realize leadership means a lot. They are committed and enthusiastic about this year and have vision for the future. Victory!

Again, as the mother of a freshman player, I hope that this attitude and coaching staff can continue to work in the manner that I have seen in just the month they have been together.

I’m looking forward to a great season and already feel that we’re off to a winning streak.

Christine Komar, Leonardtown