Tough loss to Murray tonight, made even tougher by the loss of Cozart for the season. And for the first time since last October, the Rockets lose a game after hearing our pre-game music.
You'll excuse me if I'm a little down tonight. Trying to sort things out.
We'll regroup and welcome Bethlehem to Marion next Friday night, and hopefully send them home with an "L". If they need it, we'll guide their way home with a star.
Or they can crash here, because we DO have room in the Inn.
HUGE props to Erin McDonald for singing the National Anthem! It was awesome.
And HUGE props to Devin Belt for nailing the half-time State Farm extra-point attempt.
Other than that, all I can say is: myriad, dirigible, fur rat, effervescence, and mizzle.
Oh, and Bob. He played tonight.
I.P.A. (formerly I Like Physics) (formerly The Road)
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Girls, Girls, Girls (ala Vince Neil, aka Motley Crue)
One of the many perks of being a PA guy is that you often get asked to announce other events that take place at the stadium. This week, I was absolutely blown away by the skills on display from the five teams that participated in "Girl Iron Glory", the first of hopefully many powder puff tournaments to benefit Breast cancer awareness. I'll be honest here and put myself out there to be scorned: I had very low expectations. And when I say "low", I'm talking pembroke welsh corgi low, as in barely off the ground. (Look at a picture of a pembroke welsh corgi and you'll know what I'm talking about.)
I've never had so much fun being proved wrong. Those girls could FLAT OUT PLAY!!! Quarterbacks with cannons for arms, receivers making tremendous catches in traffic, catches being made off of tipped passes, and SPEED!!!
I'll have to admit something here that really stings my pride. I don't think the pre-game music would have affected their play in any way whatsoever. I probably could've played Bon Iver's entire catalog and those girls still would have rocked Rocket Stadium.
The event began with a defensive battle Tuesday night between the Health Quest team and Power Tuff, a game that eventually had to be completed Thursday night. And STILL the teams couldn't outsmart each other enough to take the win, so it came down to Lady Luck. The Coin Toss gave the victory to Health Quest.
The next game featured the G.R.I.T.S. team sponsored by Conrad's Food Store taking on the Farmer's Bank Brawlers. The G.R.I.T.S. were on fire. They probably could have scored against any defense with their precision passes and great catches. They took the "W", and somehow (still not sure if it was a coin toss or a point spread thing) the Brawlers were eliminated from the event and Power Tuff had the honor of trying to stop the G.R.I.T.S. potent offense.
But before that could happen, the BFFs (Breast Friends Forever....awesome team name!) had to take on Health Quest for a spot in the championship game. The HQers, coached by Dr. Johnny Newcom, prevailed in an exciting game, and the BFFs held their heads high because of the list of names on their shirts.
Then came the game of the night. G.R.I.T.S. vs. Power Tuff. I HOPE and PRAY that somebody got a film of this game, because there were some truly amazing plays made by both teams! It came down to the final possession, and Power Tuff held on to take the 14-8 victory.
It was late, it was cold, many fans decided it was time to head home, but still two teams took to the field to decide the champion of the First Annual Girl Iron Glory. Health Quest vs. Power Tuff. You've gotta give a lot of credit to the Power Tuff team; playing ONE game would take its toll on a player, even if she's in good shape, yet there they were playing back-to-back games with all the marbles on the line. I won't pretend to know what happened or lay blame or make excuses or whatever, but one could say that Power Tuff simply ran out of gas. The well-rested Health Quest squad took advantage of that and brought home the gold with a 26-0 shut-out.
I won't lie, and I won't pretend to be something I'm not: I was pulling for Health Quest. Why? For starters, my wife was on that team, so if I rooted against them my internet-time would probably be taken away. Also, my cousin Lee Anna was on that team. She married one of my best friends. The team was coached by one of my best friends. And another of my best friends, the coach's wife, was on that team. So I had a rooting interest. I can only hope that that interest didn't make itself obvious in the announcing. If so, I apologize.
EVERY team, EVERY player, EVERY coach, EVERY referee, EVERY volunteer helper....deserves tremendous kudos for the week's activities. In the booth, I was impressed by the professionalism exhibited by the teams as they brought their rosters and team music up. I was impressed by the obvious realization on display that points on the board didn't matter; some teams won and lost their games, but all thoughts were on those who are fighting the REAL battles right now against humanity's rival: Cancer. There's not many things that I can say I hate. I CAN say, without a doubt, that I HATE cancer.
So take that, Cancer. Crittenden County, with a little help from friends across the border, came together and proved to you that while you may have the upper-hand at times, we WILL NOT go down without a fight. Friday night, when the Rockets are taking on Fulton City, a list of names will be read over the loud-speaker of TRUE warriors, those who have stared down cancer and smacked it in its face, and those who fought to the bitter end and left their loved ones to carry their torch. And for those casualties of war that we've lost over the years....know this: Vengeance will be ours. Enjoy your victories now, Cancer, because one day, soon, due to events like this, you'll be history.
Every 69 seconds, somebody, somewhere, succombs to breast cancer. Think about that for a bit. In fact, think about it for 69 seconds. That's what we're up against. 20 minute halves, 10 minute half-times, 5 minutes between games, storm delays that kept one game from ending for two days...all of that time pales in comparison to those 69 seconds.
Way to go, Girls. Let's do it again next year!
I've never had so much fun being proved wrong. Those girls could FLAT OUT PLAY!!! Quarterbacks with cannons for arms, receivers making tremendous catches in traffic, catches being made off of tipped passes, and SPEED!!!
I'll have to admit something here that really stings my pride. I don't think the pre-game music would have affected their play in any way whatsoever. I probably could've played Bon Iver's entire catalog and those girls still would have rocked Rocket Stadium.
The event began with a defensive battle Tuesday night between the Health Quest team and Power Tuff, a game that eventually had to be completed Thursday night. And STILL the teams couldn't outsmart each other enough to take the win, so it came down to Lady Luck. The Coin Toss gave the victory to Health Quest.
The next game featured the G.R.I.T.S. team sponsored by Conrad's Food Store taking on the Farmer's Bank Brawlers. The G.R.I.T.S. were on fire. They probably could have scored against any defense with their precision passes and great catches. They took the "W", and somehow (still not sure if it was a coin toss or a point spread thing) the Brawlers were eliminated from the event and Power Tuff had the honor of trying to stop the G.R.I.T.S. potent offense.
But before that could happen, the BFFs (Breast Friends Forever....awesome team name!) had to take on Health Quest for a spot in the championship game. The HQers, coached by Dr. Johnny Newcom, prevailed in an exciting game, and the BFFs held their heads high because of the list of names on their shirts.
Then came the game of the night. G.R.I.T.S. vs. Power Tuff. I HOPE and PRAY that somebody got a film of this game, because there were some truly amazing plays made by both teams! It came down to the final possession, and Power Tuff held on to take the 14-8 victory.
It was late, it was cold, many fans decided it was time to head home, but still two teams took to the field to decide the champion of the First Annual Girl Iron Glory. Health Quest vs. Power Tuff. You've gotta give a lot of credit to the Power Tuff team; playing ONE game would take its toll on a player, even if she's in good shape, yet there they were playing back-to-back games with all the marbles on the line. I won't pretend to know what happened or lay blame or make excuses or whatever, but one could say that Power Tuff simply ran out of gas. The well-rested Health Quest squad took advantage of that and brought home the gold with a 26-0 shut-out.
I won't lie, and I won't pretend to be something I'm not: I was pulling for Health Quest. Why? For starters, my wife was on that team, so if I rooted against them my internet-time would probably be taken away. Also, my cousin Lee Anna was on that team. She married one of my best friends. The team was coached by one of my best friends. And another of my best friends, the coach's wife, was on that team. So I had a rooting interest. I can only hope that that interest didn't make itself obvious in the announcing. If so, I apologize.
EVERY team, EVERY player, EVERY coach, EVERY referee, EVERY volunteer helper....deserves tremendous kudos for the week's activities. In the booth, I was impressed by the professionalism exhibited by the teams as they brought their rosters and team music up. I was impressed by the obvious realization on display that points on the board didn't matter; some teams won and lost their games, but all thoughts were on those who are fighting the REAL battles right now against humanity's rival: Cancer. There's not many things that I can say I hate. I CAN say, without a doubt, that I HATE cancer.
So take that, Cancer. Crittenden County, with a little help from friends across the border, came together and proved to you that while you may have the upper-hand at times, we WILL NOT go down without a fight. Friday night, when the Rockets are taking on Fulton City, a list of names will be read over the loud-speaker of TRUE warriors, those who have stared down cancer and smacked it in its face, and those who fought to the bitter end and left their loved ones to carry their torch. And for those casualties of war that we've lost over the years....know this: Vengeance will be ours. Enjoy your victories now, Cancer, because one day, soon, due to events like this, you'll be history.
Every 69 seconds, somebody, somewhere, succombs to breast cancer. Think about that for a bit. In fact, think about it for 69 seconds. That's what we're up against. 20 minute halves, 10 minute half-times, 5 minutes between games, storm delays that kept one game from ending for two days...all of that time pales in comparison to those 69 seconds.
Way to go, Girls. Let's do it again next year!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Science, Football, and Coronations.
On nights that the Rockets don't get to hear our pre-game music, the offense averages 26.25 points and the defense gives up 20.5 points.
On nights that the Rockets DO get to hear our pre-game music, the offense averages 47.5 points and the defense gives up 13 points.
You do the math. (Or, just read it again because I've already done the math.)
Our music almost doubles the offenses production and allows the defense to give up one fewer touchdown.
Also, on nights that our pre-game music is heard, there's a 1 in 2 chance that Jessi Hodge will be crowned Homecoming Queen. Same for Andrew Freeman. 1 in 2 chance that he'll be crowned Homecoming King.
On a serious note, congrats Rockets on a great win last night (Ballard was a tough team), and congrats to Jessi and Andrew. And congrats to Matthew Hardin for recording his second career quad-spot tackle. (That's FOUR defensive players recognized, by name, for making a tackle. That's usually just a "plethora".) And special recognition needs to be given to Corey Crider, who managed to make it through a whole game in the press box without something disastrous happening.
And for a moment that made me especially proud, Aaron Owen applied what he's learned in physics so far this year to apply a force causing acceleration, which resulted in picture-perfect projectile motion as the football sailed through the uprights.
It was a "wow" night all around.
On nights that the Rockets DO get to hear our pre-game music, the offense averages 47.5 points and the defense gives up 13 points.
You do the math. (Or, just read it again because I've already done the math.)
Our music almost doubles the offenses production and allows the defense to give up one fewer touchdown.
Also, on nights that our pre-game music is heard, there's a 1 in 2 chance that Jessi Hodge will be crowned Homecoming Queen. Same for Andrew Freeman. 1 in 2 chance that he'll be crowned Homecoming King.
On a serious note, congrats Rockets on a great win last night (Ballard was a tough team), and congrats to Jessi and Andrew. And congrats to Matthew Hardin for recording his second career quad-spot tackle. (That's FOUR defensive players recognized, by name, for making a tackle. That's usually just a "plethora".) And special recognition needs to be given to Corey Crider, who managed to make it through a whole game in the press box without something disastrous happening.
And for a moment that made me especially proud, Aaron Owen applied what he's learned in physics so far this year to apply a force causing acceleration, which resulted in picture-perfect projectile motion as the football sailed through the uprights.
It was a "wow" night all around.
More Science as it pertains to Rocket Football
The song "Tweezer: Reprise", as performed by Phish, and played by CCHS's PA crew directly prior to kick-off, results in a 50% chance of the opening kick-off being returned for a touchdown. That's good news. I think I'll keep on doing that.
Be back later with more reasons why our playlist is the best. Main reason: Rockets are undefeated on nights when they hear our songs, but have lost a game on nights when they don't hear our songs. It doesn't take a "Rocket" scientist (pun) to deduce that our songs are the main reason why we play better.
Be back later with more reasons why our playlist is the best. Main reason: Rockets are undefeated on nights when they hear our songs, but have lost a game on nights when they don't hear our songs. It doesn't take a "Rocket" scientist (pun) to deduce that our songs are the main reason why we play better.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Poll Closed
Results are in....Come to "The Pit" tonight and you'll hear the Foo Fighters sing "In Your Honor". (But you'd better get there early because it's homecoming. The playlist will have to be cut short to make way for the festivities.)
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Let's talk shop(a). (See? I put an "a" after the "p" in shop, so its like "P.A." I'm so Clever.)
We've been cheated.
Last season, the fans, players, coaches, managers, cheerleaders, regiment, Dr. Johnny Newcom, and people that park on the hill behind the west scoreboard (as if we have an east and a west...) were robbed of a performance. Two teams that have nothing to do with Crittenden County (other than the fact that they occasionally play one another in football, basketball, baseball, volleyball, soccer, golf, chess, weight lifting, etc.) decided to stick it to us by staging a fight the week before one of those two teams had to travel to Marion to get crushed by our sound waves (and our players). Of course, Fulton County had to forfeit. No home game. (No homeCOMING game, at that.)
And this season, the Bowl game takes another home performance off the books. We only get to entertain you four times in the regular season. And hopefully a time or two in the play-offs....
And the worst part of it all? Crittenden County has to travel to Fulton County to beat them in football this year.
I say Fulton Co. owes us a home game. A homeCOMING game, at that. (Poor KCD. Never dreamed I'd see a homecoming in the first round of the play-offs. But that's not as bad as having your senior night AT South Hopkins...but that's another tale for another blog....)
So, Fulton County Athletic Director, I know you read this blog regularly, and yes, I'm calling you out by NAME. (Your name is Fulton County Athletic Director, right?) Be a man. (Or Woman. I really don't know.) Make the call. Tell your team that because of their actions, they don't get to have that home game this year. Bring 'em to Marion.
That way, everyone here would have another chance to hear our music, words of the night, and Dr. Johnny Newcom sightings. And our players wouldn't have to suffer that bus ride. (That's just a secondary concern. Music, words, Johnny. That's what matters.)
(And I trust that all those who stumble upon here know me, and know that most of what i type is nonsense and entirely tongue in cheek, which really doesn't make sense if you think about it...tongue in cheek?...oh well...and now I've had to go and do this, which really takes the humor out of it if you ask me. Everything before the first word in this paragraph should stand alone. It'd be funnier. Am I right?)
(But the non-tongue in cheek part of this post is having Fulton Co. come to Marion. I really think they should. Actions have consequences, and even though they've already suffered the consequences, I say they suffer some more. Who's with me?)
Thursday, September 23, 2010
PA Legends
As a public address announcer, I'm constantly striving to perfect the craft and enter the ranks of the greats. That's not possible without the help of a great team, though. Matthew Hardin -- Spotter. Holds the record for most tackles spotted on one play. Yep, he nailed a quad last season. Peyton Porter -- Press Box Attendant. Without the steady stream of diet cokes and
Schrutisms, we'd be nowhere. Corey Crider, Johnny Newcom (Doctor), and Blair Winders -- music consultants. Nothing screams "great music" like a 61-8 beating of the opponent after hearing the gems we picked out. Hopefully one day, my picture will grace this page. In the meantime,
take a gander at this list of unknown people who I'm sure are great PA announcers, yet like offensive linemen...we do our work in the shadows without any need for recognition. (But really...it'd be nice to be recognized. At least once. But it'd be nice for that recognition to have to do about something other than song lyrics.)
Friday, September 17, 2010
Scientific Analysis of the 2010 Rocket Football Season
All good experiments start with a question, or a hypothesis. So...I hypothesize that the Rockets play better when they hear our pre-game music at home.
Data gathering: Rockets are 3-0 in games in which they do not hear our pre-game music. Rockets are 1-0 in games in which they DO hear our pre-game music. Results may seem to favor the "do not hear", but its a small sample size so I'm rendering it null.
The average point total for the Rockets in games in which they do not hear our pre-game music is 32.67. Also, on nights that they don't hear our pre-game music, they allow an average of 12.67 points.
In games in which they DO hear our pregame music, the Rockets score an average of 61 points. The defense allows an average of 8 points.
Conclusion: Our pre-game music selection enables the Rocket offense to nearly double its effectiveness, and the defense plays 34% better.
One of two things need to happen. The Rockets need to play all of their games at home, or they need to find a way to take our show on the road.
There. That's science.
Data gathering: Rockets are 3-0 in games in which they do not hear our pre-game music. Rockets are 1-0 in games in which they DO hear our pre-game music. Results may seem to favor the "do not hear", but its a small sample size so I'm rendering it null.
The average point total for the Rockets in games in which they do not hear our pre-game music is 32.67. Also, on nights that they don't hear our pre-game music, they allow an average of 12.67 points.
In games in which they DO hear our pregame music, the Rockets score an average of 61 points. The defense allows an average of 8 points.
Conclusion: Our pre-game music selection enables the Rocket offense to nearly double its effectiveness, and the defense plays 34% better.
One of two things need to happen. The Rockets need to play all of their games at home, or they need to find a way to take our show on the road.
There. That's science.
Okay, I Just Now Remembered....
....I have a blog.
Actually, a student in one of my classes reminded me that I have a blog.
Question: What good is a "blog" if the author of said blog doesn't even know it exists?
(Answer: 3.7 km/h)
Oh, I'm a physics teacher now. And I have another child; a boy, whom we call Jack. (He's nimble and quick, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if, one day, he jumped over a candlestick.) (Though he might also fall down and break his crown. Luckily, Jill will come tumbling after. He hasn't met a "Jill" yet, but I've a feeling he will...)
I think I might make this into a "class" blog. Don't think for a second that I'm not enough of a geek to do it.
Sincerely,
The Voice of the Rockets (and co-song collaborator...I blame the other guy for any inappropriateness.)
Actually, a student in one of my classes reminded me that I have a blog.
Question: What good is a "blog" if the author of said blog doesn't even know it exists?
(Answer: 3.7 km/h)
Oh, I'm a physics teacher now. And I have another child; a boy, whom we call Jack. (He's nimble and quick, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if, one day, he jumped over a candlestick.) (Though he might also fall down and break his crown. Luckily, Jill will come tumbling after. He hasn't met a "Jill" yet, but I've a feeling he will...)
I think I might make this into a "class" blog. Don't think for a second that I'm not enough of a geek to do it.
Sincerely,
The Voice of the Rockets (and co-song collaborator...I blame the other guy for any inappropriateness.)
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