Top, Water Girls for Falcon Football Games: Katie Stowell, Jamie Zoppe and Lacey Long. Bottom (l-r) Amber Wagner, 9 and Leilani Bennett (on her way to 6 years old) are devoted Falcon fans; In the booth, calling plays are Sydney Cline, Elaine Quick, Jerry Quick and Bruce Cline.
Photos and Report by Sara Woerter, intern to The Mountain Enterprise
During the football season, stories by Coach Tim Garcia told the public about the outstanding catches, tackles, kicks and passes made by Falcon players. But what about the people behind the scenes? Over the next two weeks, we will tell their stories.
The Falcons played their last regular home game of the season on Friday, Nov. 7. It was Senior Night—a tradition to honor seniors at the last home game they will witness as a student of Frazier Mountain High School. It was astounding, wild and amusing, but looking around, it was suddenly also clear that it takes more than just the football team to make these events memorable.
Over the next two weeks, we will tell the stories of loyal spectators who sit on hard bleachers, volunteers who work cold snackbar to serve the audience, the amazing Drumline, the announcers in their booth above the bleachers and those who help raise school spirit.
“Steven ‘Bowling Ball’ Russell gives Falcons a well-earned yard…A foul was called on Falcons side!” Each game, announcers shout out plays, fouls and tackles. They speak loudly over the public address system and read off Booster Club raffle ticket numbers.
You always hear them and they’ve always been there… but do you know who they are? Jerry and Elaine Qiuck have been announcing the scores and runs for FMHS football games for five years. They work with Sydney and Bruce Cline who have been announcing since the first FMHS game. After announcing a winning number in the raffle, they had enough time between plays to speak about the season: “It’s been a growth year. [We] think this year has succeeded. We’re entertained. The team really works. They’re in great shape and it gets better each year.” With a hardy laugh they also mentioned, “There’s no bias in this room!”
Down in the stands, we spoke with the Ambarian family. For four years they have been sitting in the same location, cheering on the players at every home game.
Sara Ambarian and her sons Jonathon and Thomas have endured rain and cold winds to enjoy the Falcons winning victories.
“[The] season’s been good! Lots of exciting games and lots of football going on. It’s a fun way to spend a Friday night!” Sara Ambarian said. Jonathan is a home school senior this year and Thomas is a junior, so hopefully this tradition will continue on for another year.
“Football is great and fun,” said nine-year-old Amber Wagner and Leilani Bennett, who is proudly “five and three-quarter years old.” The two girls smiled and laughed through shivers, saying that their favorite part of football is the touchdowns because “it’s exciting.”
Throughout the season, we’ve seen young children playing in the field during halftime or standing by the bleachers making toys out of sticks and rocks. Children like these are the future of Frazier Mountain High School and one day may be the sports stars of FMHS.
Behind the Scenes will be continued next week
This is part of the November 14, 2008 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.
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