My Game Day Prep Journey
So I grabbed my phone last Tuesday while drinking coffee and thought, “Man, it’s football season! Let’s check out Hurley High’s game.” Pulled up their school site real quick, digging for info. Found their game schedule buried under three layers of links – almost gave up til I spotted kickoff times in tiny font. Screenshotted that sucker immediately.
Come Friday afternoon, I chucked these into my trunk:
- A faded stadium seat cushion from last season
- My lucky team hoodie (even though it’s two sizes too big)
- Cash for tickets since their site warned about card readers crashing
- Zip-lock bags for my phone – weather app showed rain clouds
Navigating The Madness
Rolled up 90 minutes early ’cause I remember Homecoming traffic last year was brutal. Still ended up crawling through five blocks of minivans and honking parents. Saw folks parking illegally near fire hydrants – nope! Followed a muddy dirt path behind the science building that locals seem to know about.
At the gate, security patted down my pockets while cracking jokes about my hoodie. Pro tip: Their metal detectors go nuts if you have more than two keys. Watched three people get wanded ahead of me while rain started drizzling.
Survival Mode Activated
The bleachers felt like climbing Mount Everest – those steps are steep! Planted my cushion on the 50-yard line just as the band started blaring. Tried buying nachos but the concession line wrapped around the track. Gave up and ate peanut butter crackers from my coat pocket.
Third quarter downpour hit hard. My zip-lock trick saved the phone but my jeans got soaked through. Saw smart fans huddled under the press box overhang. Mental note for next time: scout dry spots during halftime.
Lessons From The Trenches
Trudged back to the car with wet socks squelching. Figured out these things while wrestling my keys with numb fingers:
- Parking’s war – either come stupid early or park at the gas station five blocks away
- Seats are concrete slabs – that cushion felt like a luxury throne by the 4th quarter
- Concessions move at snail pace – eat beforehand or miss a whole quarter
- Weather rules everything – my windshield was fogged solid for 15 minutes after leaving
Overall? Worth every shiver and traffic jam. That fourth-quarter touchdown had the whole place shaking. Next time though? I’m wearing waterproof everything and smuggling in my own hot chocolate.