Forget the score for one minute and concentrate on the good.
The Lively Hawks senior boys football team made their much anticipated debut last Friday in Lively. (Fans can go to northernlife.ca and click on photo gallery to see action photos from the game.)
Fans came out by the hundreds to see the local squad kick off their 2007 season with a match against perennial powerhouse Lockerby.
The Vikings dismantled the Hawks 43-0, but there was much more to the evening than just a football game.
It was a resounding success they actually put a respectable squad on the field, considering only a few weeks ago no one was quite sure if there would really be a team in Lively this year.
Eyebrows were raised as the season approached and Lively was scrambling to come together. The team didn't start practices until just days before their home opener. At one practice, numbers were extremely low. Some opposing coaches had reservations about Lively even being in the league for 2007.
It all came together Friday night under the lights.
A grill served up hot dogs and kept a tasty scent hanging in the air. Hundreds of fans of all ages jammed up the sideline, going four or five people deep at some points. Others, watched the game from a nearby hill. Young kids ran around the sidelines, playing catch and dreaming of making big plays in some imaginary game.
The Lively mascot kept fans jumping and screaming late into the night.
As the sun crept behind the cover of the night sky, portable diesel generators fired up and got several sets of halogen lights to lite up the field.
It was a true community effort to get the football team off the ground. Countless Lively people and businesses stepped up and made donations to get equipment and cover other fees.
Numerous members of the community stepped up and helped coach. Even Ward 2 councilor Jacques Barbeau got heavily involved and helped the team jump through many hoops.
When it was all said and done, Lively put a respectable product on the grid iron and didn't look complete overwhelmed by Lockerby.
Granted there were a few Lockerby touchdowns called back, but it was still a decent result for the Hawks and something they can really build from.
Vikings head coach Geoff Richer was amazed at Lively's discipline and organization. He expects the Hawks to surprise more than a few teams this year.
My hat is off to everyone involved with the Lively team.
You should all take a bow because you deserve it.
Remember to go to northernlife.ca and click on the photo gallery to see exciting pictures from the historic game.
