The Battle between the Grades

For 59 years the novice 3rd graders have tested their metal against the wizened 4th grade veterans on the football field. Relatively recently (20 years ago), the clash has been expanded to include the soccer pitch. For some added perspective, 28 years ago my youngest Bear quarterbacked (he did not possess the fleet feet of a Johnny Lynn, but he was the only 1st year student who knew all the plays) the powerful 3rd graders to a “near” win.

The Wilson Building has always been a hotbed of rumor. Confidential information is frequently whispered as the students whisk down the halls.  Deep secrets are occasionally  revealed on the Lower School field during a break. This fall, the Bear intelligence community has been abuzz with hushed predictions that the Class of 2020 may be a special group. With that recent history, the stands of Bordley Stadium filled early with parents, grandparents, excited Lower School boys (“let’s go 2rd Grade), the Headmaster, several Varsity coaches and fans– no pro scouts were identified. The coccoa sold out early during the contests.

Lower School Headmaster Chris Robertson introduced the Little Singers and Middle School vocalists, who sang our National Anthem.  Perhaps the MOST memorable aspect of these contests is the INTRODUCTION of the players. The younger students are allowed to express themselves by creating nicknames and as they speed through the Brown & White balloon arch, the PA system blares out their monikers (just a few) —

• “Rolling Defense” as #12 speeds by,

• “The Freedom” as #6 sprints down the track

• “Daffodil” as #11 cuts a swath towards his teammates

• “Coach Raging Rains” as she assembles her 3rd grade soccer team

• 
  
• 
  
• 
  

• the more mature Class of 2019 was identified only by their numbers

• 
  

On to the football presentations:

• “Abolisher” as #25 exhibits his strength

• “Chestnut” as #77, one of the linemen, lumbers by

• “Fastbeam”, #21, flies by so quickly, he’s nearly invisible

• “Terminator”, #45, governs the field as he joins his football teammates

• the more mature Class of 2019 was identified only by their numbers (no Ocho Cinqo, though).

The first game was the soccer match and the Fantastic 4th Grade scored early to take a 1-0 lead. The  Thrilling Third Grade coach made a major substitution and “The Daffodil” was inserted into the line up. He and “The Crusher” made many long runs only to be stopped by the Frightening sweeperbacks.  At half the score remained at 1-0, but in the 19th minute of the second half, the Daffodil converted a Penalty Kick to tie the score, 1-1. Late in the game, #11 got control of a loss ball, dribbled through the 4th Grade defenders and placed the ball in the far corner of the older boys goal. The Thrilling 3rd had a 2-1 lead with 3:01 remaining in the contest. Coach Bold Beth of the Frightening 4th was heard to say “IT’S NOT OVER”. There were a few thrilling moments as the older boys attacked their junior oppoenents’ end of the field to no avail. VICTORY for the 3rd!!!

Onto the Shrimp Bowl, the captains met at midfield, the Fantastic 4th won the toss and chose to receive. It was clear early that Coaches Bednar and Horsey regarded anywhere on the field as 4 down territory. On 3rd down and 11 on the 49, #48 sprinted all the way for a touchdown. Showing great confidence in their kicker, they lined up for a PAT, but the try was not successful because a 3rd grader covered the ball before the kicker stepped towards the ball (reminded anyone of Lucy’s cruel trick on Charlie Brown?). Score 6-0 in favor of the 4ths!

Confidantly, the 4th graders kicked off but the 3rd graders returned it to their offensive  end of the field. First and 10 for the 3rd graders at the 49. The snap goes over the QB’s head (was this “trickeration” by Coaches Klingelhofer and Miller) and Fastbeam scoops up the ball and is next seen in the end zone, 6-6. The Threatening Thirds went for the 2 point PAT, which JJ converted, 8-6 in favor of the underdog 1st year students with 1:07 remaining in the first quarter!!

Undaunted the Fantastic Fourth’s #33 caught the kick off and he was next seen in the endzone, 12-8 and the scored remained the same with an unsuccessful 2 point attempt.

Thereafter, the Coaches reinserted the D in LanDon. Stout 5-5-2, 4-6-3 and an occasional 11 man configuration defenses were able to stymie the opponents. The cheering fans were increasingly excited as the time decreased.  “Fastbeam” was injured and it took a while for the trainer to approve his return to battle. The 3rds employed a two runner attack with JJ and “Fastbeam” moving the ball towards a potential upset. 

The fans were cheering as vociferously as the FedEx Field supporters. There were 14.5 seconds left with the ball 9 yards from a 3rd grade score. Fame and fortune were denied for the Threatening 3rds as the Fantastic 4ths’ recovered a fumble. The Class of 2019 had secured a hard fought 12-8 win.

It will be interesting to review these contests in the Falls of 2018 and 2019 to see if these early moments of promise have been evidence of these boys’ future performance. GO BEARS!!!

{nicknames and numbers were used to assure that agents did not call the boys for college and/or pro placement!}