some things never change

I have been writing about high school sports for 26 of my 42 years or 61.9 percent of my life (thank you calculator on computer).
During that time I have seen countless homecoming football games, and some things never change about them.
Take Friday night's game between Tiftarea Academy and Southwest Georgia Academy, for instance.
I get to the stadium and first thing I notice is the smell of charcoal in the air as the grills are going for tailgates and for concession stands. I walk up and there is a line stretching around the Tiftarea field house to get into the game. (Mind you this is maybe 10 minutes before the game actually begins.)
Walk into the stadium and you see parents and cheerleaders selling raffle tickets (this time for a 12-layer chocolate cake), and as usual I can't afford to buy one. Like I told the folks though hit me up again at the next home game.
The home team then comes out and is all fired up and ready to go. That usually means they will run over the hapless opponent that some teams always schedule for homecoming. But, it also can mean the home team is ready to roll against a very good team that sometimes is scheduled for homecoming due to a scheduling conflict or just the fact there are no Charleston Southerns a high school team can schedule.
In Tiftarea's case Friday, SGA was a very formidable homecoming foe. The game itself saw the Warriors of SGA run out to a big 21-6 lead. But the homecoming crowd put a spark into the Panthers and Tiftarea came back to within one point in the second half.
Oops wait I almost forgot something the halftime crowning of the queen(s), depending on the school.
The ladies all come out in spectacular dresses and most of the time their fathers are all beaming with pride as they escort them on the field. (Friday did see a nice touch as a little brother was the escort.)
The queen from the previous year then comes out and presents the new queen with her sash and tiara. Friday saw Lynley Grace McCullough give the new queen, Sam Koran, the title.
Then there is countless pictures, and you can always see what great jobs the dentists of the queens do as the smiles are always perfect.
Anyway, back to the game, the Panthers did stage a strong comeback, but the Warriors emerged with a 35-26 win at the end.
Tiftarea was down, but the Panthers still have a lot of season left, and who knows there could be a playoff rematch down the road.
But the Panthers' comeback attempt was a great one, and I am sure all of the Tiftarea alumni that came home were happy that the 2009 team showed a fighting spirit.
Unfortuately for me I won't see another Tiftarea (or high school period) play again until the regular season finale at home against Valwood on Oct. 30.
But, I am sure there will be more charcoal burned and more cakes raffled that night, as well.