So last Tuesday morning I’m making coffee thinking about little Mikey starting sophomore year, right? And I’m wondering how many Friday night games I’m gonna miss if work gets crazy this fall. Suddenly it hits me – I don’t even know when the first game IS. Like a total dummy I never checked Bryan High’s football schedule.
First thing I did? Grabbed my phone quick before the coffee finished brewing. Searched “Bryan High Lions football schedule 2024” – nada. School website’s sports section still showing last season’s scores like it’s frozen in time. Even checked Facebook but just found pictures of cheerleaders and sad posts about losing seniors to graduation.
Phase two
Called the main office Wednesday around lunchtime. Phone rang like fifteen times before Janice picked up – you know, the secretary who’s worked there since dinosaurs roamed the halls? She goes “Oh honey you need to talk to Coach Davis” and transfers me. Straight to voicemail. Left a message that I sounded more desperate than a kid begging for pizza money.
The breakthrough
Thursday morning, driving Mikey to band practice. Saw Coach Davis pacing outside the field house. Slammed my brakes so hard my coffee splashed all over the dashboard. Hopped out pretending to tie my shoe near where he was yelling at some kid about tackling drills.
Casually walked over like “Hey Coach… beautiful weather for drills huh? Soooo when do we murder Johnson County High this season?” Got him laughing with that one. He reached into his back pocket – pulled out this crumpled sheet that looked like it survived washing machine spin cycle.
Here’s what’s cooking this season
- Scrimmage vs Riverside: August 23 (basically practice with uniforms)
- Home opener vs Johnson County: September 6 – wear WHITE shirts
- Big away game at Mountain View: September 20 (bus ride from hell)
- Homecoming vs Central: October 18 – already told Mikey no parties til final buzzer
- Season finale vs Eastwood: November 8 – might need thermos of hot chocolate
Photocopied that bad boy at Staples like it was top secret government intel. Taped one copy to my fridge, folded another inside my work badge holder. Mikey rolled his eyes when I texted him ALL CAPS about the Johnson County game date. Kids these days don’t appreciate tactical planning!
Final move? Marked every single game date on the kitchen calendar in red sharpie. Even drew little lion heads roaring. Linda says I’m obsessed but she’ll thank me when we’re not scrambling for pizza money on game nights. Might order those stadium seat cushions tonight.