Three Games in Thirty Hours: My Perfect Weekend

Every now and then it happens. The stars align, the pieces all fall into place and the schedule makers smile on football fans all over the country. For me, this past weekend was one of those glorious moments when everything came together. One of those rare weekends.

Let me explain.

I am a football fan, a fanatic, a multiple season ticket holder. Ok,there you go…. I admit it.

That is the first step right?

My football interests revolve around three teams:  The Cartersville High School Purple Hurricanes, the Georgia Bulldogs and the Atlanta Falcons. I look forward to every weekend, every game. I will be there, win or lose.

As each schedule is released for the upcoming season, I take my calendar and mark each home game down on the appropriate day.  Friday, Saturday and Sunday… each game highlighted. Plans are made. Appointments are rescheduled. RSVP’s declined.

Imagine my excitement when through this process, I get to the first weekend in September, and discover that I would be attending three home games in a span of less than 30 hours. Did you hear the angels sing?

It was a jackpot weekend.  It was a weekend in the South that many sports fans can only dream of. I circled the weekend, counted down the hours and waited.

Here’s how it all went down.  Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Friday September 5^th, 7:30pm.  

Rockmart comes to town to play the Cartersville Purple Hurricanes at Weinman Stadium in downtown Cartersville Georgia.  The Canes were coming off a week one 25-20 win over cross-town rival, Cass. After the Canes rough season last year, the fans gathered this Friday night in September, expect the team to rebound and make a strong playoff run.

Skynyrd belts out “Sweet Home Alabama” as I take my place on row 13, seat 25… looking right down the 40-yard line. I have a season ticket… yes, I know it's high school football.  But I’m a big fan remember?

The Canes tee it up and kickoff to the Jackets. The Jackets promptly return the kick for a TD.  Ouch! Not a good start.  The Canes answer, returning the ensuing kick for a TD of their own.  Good answer.  So here we are, 23 seconds into the game, and it’s 7-7.

Led by senior tailback Morgan Alexander the Canes go on to win 39-28.  Alexander rushes for over 200 yards and scores four TD’s. Alexander has over 300 yards total offense. 

The Canes also welcome back Senior DB/WR Donovan Tate.  Tate is a great talent on the football field. He is also ranked near the top of many prospects list for baseball.  Look these two up; they will play on Saturdays. 

One game, one win.  Waffle House anyone? 

Saturday September 6^th, 9:00am

It’s time to head to Athens Georgia, God’s country. The land where Herschel roamed, the home of the Dawgs.

It’s about a two-hour drive from my hometown. My friend James and I leave early enough to beat any traffic. We make it to Athens with plenty of time to spare.

11 am. The Student Center is a great hangout when you have a few hours to spare. The color of choice today is red and black, naturally. A few dazed and confused looking fans of this week’s opponent, Central Michigan, stumble by. They are NOT wearing the color of choice.

We settle in to watch Game Day on the big screen.

What did Lou Holtz just say?  Of course Lee Corso is picking Florida! Could Jessie Palmer be more of a homer? Idiots!

2 pm.  It’s on to the Dawg Walk, a visit with UGA VII under the bridge and a few minutes listening to the Red Coat Band warming up.

Soon enough, game time is upon us.

I take my place in section 337, row 5.  Yes, season tickets… you know why. 

3:20 pm. The Redcoats are coming!! Georgia tradition!! Between the Hedges!! Larry Munson!! It’s Saturday afternoon in Athens, time to tee it up between the hedges. Nickelback sounds good through the loud speakers. The Who follow with a little “Baba O’Reilly.”

Oh yes…. the game? Georgia treats CMU like Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl.  Knowshon leaps over a CMU player and the 92,000 plus react, as you would expect. Stafford and the offense are solid. The Defense dictates the pace, and holds CMU in check.

Georgia takes care of business 56-17.  ESPN misses out on the play of the day. Georgia is 2-0, and South Carolina is next up for the Dawgs… but that’s for another day.

Two games, two wins. I hope the boiled peanut vendor is still on the side of the road.  

Sunday September 7^th, 10am.

So here’s the big test.  Can the Falcons make it a perfect weekend?  The Lions are in town, and I actually feel pretty good about this game.  But these are the Falcons. The post-Vick Falcons have not given us much to cheer about.

But it’s opening day.  Every team is still perfect. Optimism abounds!!

It’s time to tailgate in the gulch. The gulch is an affectionate name for a parking lot next to some railroad tracks. Not the greatest place for a barbecue. Brother can you spare a dime?

A group of six, we gather before each game and do what many fans do before a football game, we tailgate.  We discuss the game, we dream of a playoff berth, we argue with street preachers (don’t ask!)…. These are just a few of the activities available to Falcon season ticket holders in Lot A. For the low, low price of $250.

Parking on pavement is expensive in Atlanta.

Today’s menu is?  My friend Andy has borrowed a recipe from our friends up North, and taken the liberty of renaming it.  So we put “Mattie Paddies” on the grill. Matt Ryan is the new hope for Falcon fans; therefore he gets the honor of having this monstrosity of a burger named after him.

I put away what may have been the largest “Mattie Paddy” on the grill.

Those boiled peanuts are not sitting well.

12:45 pm, we settle into our seats and prepare for kickoff.  Section 312 row 3… yes they are…. Why would you even ask? A season ticket in Atlanta is cheaper than you would think… or maybe not. As usual, Hip-Hop music blares from the loud speakers. Does diversity not work both ways? The Falcons just don’t get it.

The Lions kick off, and we are underway.  Third play from scrimmage, Matt Ryan drops back and throws a TD pass to Michael Jenkins. His first NFL pass goes for a TD. Are you kidding me? The Falcons open up a 21-0 lead, with newly signed Michael Turner running wild over the Lions.

The Lions make it a game, but the Birds hold on and win 34-21. Michael Turner sets the Falcons single game rushing record with 220 yards in his debut. Matt Ryan manages the game, avoids turnovers and leads the way to victory. Good start rookie.

Three games, three wins.  Can someone else drive home? I'm exhausted! 

9 pm. It’s over…. three games in less than 30 hours. All three of my teams are still undefeated. The perfect weekend comes to an end. The schedule makers only smile on me once this season. There is still a lot of football still to come. But no more three in ones for me!!

Back to work tomorrow… Do I have any vacation days left?  I might need one.

I think I’ll check out my Fantasy teams before I go to bed. Tom Brady is going to lead me to another Championship!

Tom Brady injured his what? Oh well…. It was almost a perfect weekend.