RESURRECTION.....A Behind the Action Look at Grundy's Big Playoff Victory in November of 2003....( As it appeared in the Virginia Mountaineer)...written by Larry Frank Fields
After being buried by the Graham G-Men earlier in the season at Grundy, and in the Playoffs the year before, on the same Mitchell Stadium field, the Grundy Golden Wave Resurrected in a 'Big Way' last Friday night.
Several hundred die-hard Grundy fans braved the elements & treacherous roads to witness the game of two centuries for Grundy football. I can imagine thousands more dancing joyfully about their house as they listened to 'Super Sportswriter, Lloyd Combs, bringing the thrilling action into their homes & cars by way of radio. Lloyd told me later that he had the Flu when the game started..."But I had talked myself out of it by game's end."
Snow, mud, cold, wind...A 'Perfect' night for football, some would say. All of the fans I talked to after the game were oblivious to the cold...Victory has a way of doing that...Nothing Hurts When You Win!
The tone for the game was set when the Wave team exited the bus at Mitchell Stadium....long before fans & stadium workers arrived on the scene. The Team walked as One to the middle of the field, joined hands... bowing their heads. From the way they played, I would assume they prayed for Heart, Courage & Teamwork...Someone had placed a sign in the Wave Field House back home that read TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK...Obviously, the Wave Team was on a mission to make their Dream...& Prayer...Come True!
IN THE LOCKER ROOM BEFORE THE GAME...Someone taped up a 'broken window' that was letting in cold air & snow. The Team began to Look Inward, some stretching weary muscles, some "Bouncing' ...as if readying for a Championship Fight. The smell of liniment, pre-wrap, adhesive tape...and sweat mingle...and fill the air. The 'Sounds of Encouragement', and 'Cleats tapping on the concrete floor' fill the air, as does the sound of chalk scratching out a 'Game Plan' on a worn-out blackboard...I revel in this 'elecric atmosphere. There is no place on earth quite like it. Someone mentions that the G-MEN think they have already 'Buried the Wave'...And they just want to 'Throw another shovelful of dirt on the Wave Grave...
The five coaches, with many years of dedicated service to Grundy football, and well over a hundred shared victories, call the TEAM together in the middle of the locker room. Each has last minute reminders & words of encouragement. Finally, someone says, "Four Minutes!"...And Coach Rowe says, "Let's get it in!" The TEAM falls to their knee...And with 'Joined Hands & Hearts' they have another Pre-Game Prayer...
IN THE LOCKER ROOM AT HALFTIME, with a 7-7 tie, Excitement is running high. The TEAM believes they can win...And Vows that They Will. Some shed excess mud, while others search out the Power-Ade. All listen as the coaches make adjustments...The 15 minutes drag by, but the TEAM is Renewed, Chomping at the Bit, eagerly awaiting the command to "Bring the Ship In!"...When it comes, Grim-Faced Warriors storm out to 'Execute the Command'...
ON THE FIELD AFTER THE WAR, the combatants line up to shake hands. A look of disbelief on the defeated G-Men. The Wave Team grins broadly with 'Uplifted heads' They know they have just defeated the 'Best team in the State' (On Paper)...And they also know it was not luck!
IN THE ENDZONE, Jubilant Wavemen are heartily congratulated by coaches, fans, cheerleaders & family members. Sweat, Tears, Mud & Joy are passed around. Cameras flash as the moment is frozen for the ages. After reciting the Lord's Prayer, the TEAM, with helmets held skyward, chants their Post-Game & Post-Practice yell: WORK! WORK! WORK! PRIDE! PRIDE! PRIDE! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! WIN! WIN! WIN!...The Yell is shouted with such intensity that the 'Echo' seems to wrap around each falling snowflake...And Reverberate throughout the stadium. The team seems reluctant to enter the warm confines of the locker room. Victory has warmed them...And it feels so good!!!!
THE SENIORS look around at the emptying stands, and the now deserted field, as if 'Storing up Memories...Of a Run..A Tackle...A Block...A Pass or Catch..A TD...They know they won't be back on this field of Triumph, But Their Mind's Eye will return time after time...Not to remember the 'Big Plays', But the 'Fighting Spirit' exhibited this night...Reborn, they float into the Locker Room on a 'Chorus of Cheers...
IN THE LOCKER ROOM AFTER THE GAME, Wavemen are are looking for the 'Shark' (A cutting tool used to remove pre-wrap & adhesive tape). No one seems eager for a shower. SUDDENLY, the door bursts open....And Coach Rowe enters with the coveted REGION 4 Trophy. The Trophy is Cheered, Held High, Kissed...And Passed Around. The TEAM has 'Brought the Ship In'..The TEAM then kneels once again and thanks God for the Courage & Ability to Conquer!...The State awaits...& the young Wave TEAM is looking forward to the opportunity.
