In Appreciation

I think it is important to pay attention to what is going on especially at a high school football game. Such was the case on Friday night at Jimmie Snider Field in Ritzville. It was Homecoming and it was also senior night since this was the last scheduled home game for the Broncos versus the Jenkins (Chewelah) Cougars.

It just so happened that I got to the field a bit early and as part of the chain gang I like to be ready for action. I saw three Chewelah players on the sideline that had jerseys on but were in street clothes so I asked them if they were injured. They explained their maladies and about how long they were going to be out. We had a nice visit and I wished them good luck and hopefully will be back playing soon. They thanked me. They were very nice young men and I hope they can get healthy soon.

A bit later the seniors were introduced along with their parents. I like this tradition even though we didn't have senior night when I was playing I wish we would have. Anyway, a few minutes later the Star Spangled Banner was about to be played. About 20 yards away on the track there was a gentleman in a wheelchair getting out of his seat with a walker in front of him. He pushed himself up out of the chair and steadied himself with the walker so he could stand for the playing of the National Anthem and honor the flag. I hope I never forget that moment. Whoever this Chewelah area resident is he has my utmost respect. The next time I see an athlete not stand for the flag I will remember those that have an excuse to not stand but do everything they can to respect the flag.

For anyone that saw the game between the Broncos and Chewelah you saw a dandy. There were hard hitting tackles, great blocking, solid running from the backs, nice receptions and some really good defense. But one thing I witnessed from two teams that knew the importance of this game was respect and sportsmanship. I think we overlook the act of helping an opponent after they were knocked down by a tackle or a block.

And when you see 16-18 year old kids helping an opponent up you realize that even in the heat of battle young kids understand the meaning of respect. Every so often you may see this happen in a college game and seldom in a pro game. I certainly appreciate when it happens in a high school game.

For anyone that has read this column knows that the biggest thing that differentiates two teams is the uniform.

We know the local kids but there are a few that are new to the community or maybe from a different community in the athletic combine. Young kids that are competing are having fun and want to win and it doesn't matter which opponent that a team faces they are chasing the same goal.

Chances are that kids who play with anger are taught to play that way by someone whether it is a coach or a parent they learned it somewhere. Or maybe they saw it on TV.

The two teams that were playing Friday night played with respect and I appreciate that.

There were some really good plays by both teams and the fourth quarter was exciting. Leading 18-17 Chewelah could have made things miserable for the Broncos with a late score. With a fourth and goal at the three yard line the Cougars tried to complete a pass to the running back and the ball just grazed his finger tips and fell harmlessly to the ground. Both the Cougars quarterback and running backs had great games and you had to feel for both of them because it looked like it would have been a sure touchdown.

The Broncos were now 97 yards away from the goal line and they went on an epic drive to secure victory.

With solid running from Brody Boness and Brock Kinch and a great reception by Hunter Dinkins the momentum that the Cougars had was now on the Broncos' side. Boness had a great run to the goal line that came up just short at the one. On the next play Chase Galbreath stretched his long frame over the goal line for the go ahead TD. The Broncos went for two and led 25-18.

Chewelah still had time to score with a nice little drive and good field position until J.T. Kelly intercepted his third pass of the game. The Broncos took a knee to run out the remaining seconds.

I appreciate the effort by the Cougars and Broncos last Friday night. It's unfortunate that a team has to take a loss in a game like this because both teams deserved to win.

- Dale Anderson is a sports columnist from Ritzville. E-mail him at

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