Taylorville has made facilities upgrades recently too, right?
All.... Several years ago they put in turf. Could be more seating but that is an issue for many schools. On the away side there is no railing if one wants to come down out of the stands and go to the concession stand or better yet across the street to the tailgate area for a quick refreshment. Without a railing making sure you don't coming down fall on somebody was always somewhat of a challenge for the rodent.
I recall the last time SHG and Taylorville played each other in 2014. The Tornadoes had been out of the CS8 for just a year and many in the conference were still unhappy of their departure to the Apollo. Of course I have a story!
Now the Taylorville faithful felt this was the year and team they had been waiting for quite some time. The year before getting popped pretty good in round of the class 4A playoffs by Rochester. I think by the way the Rockets in that game let off the gas early. (rocketnation could confim that I'm sure he was in attendance) Hopes were really high the following season that a possible rematch could be in the cards they thought would be winnable.
But then the postseason qualifiers were announced and the Tornadoes end up being one the smallest teams in class 5A. Fast forward to round three where SHG is coming to town. The Ford dealership directly across the street has this big plot of land that they open up to tailgaters. A huge overflow crowd is expected to show up. The good folks at Bob Ridings Ford have let me set up a few hours early in that area. Driving at that time an F150 purchased in Taylorville they were very accommadating. My tables were out with some packaged food and the SHG flag was flying high in the sky about 40 yards away from the ticket booth. Already there are 30 or so fans all from Taylorville waiting in line with blankets to grab seats. I stroll over with a blanket as well. And then it starts. lol Gates will open by the way two hours early.
The rodent received the stink eye immediately. Lots of frowning as well. 30 to 1 aren't the best odds. So this gent with his wife standing next to him starts up. He says the night before some "SHG" kids came into town and threw a brick through a merchants window in town as well as and he points to the stadium tearing in half many of those large picutres of players placed on the fence. I rember as he is yapping his wife tugging on his shirt hoping he would just shut up. The rest of the crowd was captivated with him though. So my response and measured was " if" they were SHG kids I would of hoped they would of been caught and arrested. That didnt go over well.
By this time I have a friend next to me who has arrived for the game. Back to this gentleman he now a little more loudly says you people come to town and then think you own it pointing to my truck across the street and tailgate set up. I casually remind him the dealershop owns that property and were more then happy to allow me to park in the area to have fun tonight. His wife is really tugging on his shirt now.
Now he steps away from the line and his wife (lol) and makes a call. I'm watching him. I see from the corner of my eye a few minutes later coming out of a side door of the school a group of young male kids slowly heading towards my truck and flag. Dan my frend next to me sees them as well and makes a dash across the street heading them off. Protect the flag at all costs he yells. (lol) The kids go back into the school.
So more fans show up for both sides. What the Tornado faithful didn't realize at the time this was likely one of the best Cyclones teams they have ever had. They had no idea what was coming. The final that night 63-14. Two weeks later the Cycs finish the year at 14-0 defeating the Broncos in what was a very competitive game for both of those squads.
Would Taylorville really want back into the CS8 regardless of enrollment? I don't think so.... Ratsy
Ratsy
