A Very Special Weekend

Saturday was a big day in Fairfield. The atmosphere at The Train Yard, the home of the football Mules, was electric. There’s really nothing quite like playoff football and this community was treated to a very special effort by the locals.

In fact, I am going to go out on a limb and contend Saturday’s thrilling overtime victory over Newton was the biggest win in the modern history of the high school football program. I can’t address the years before the helmet----but I can say that win number 101 was special for Coach Justin Townsend and his team.

The weather was perfect. There were no rail distractions as the Train Yard was trainless. The game was like a prize fight with two heavy weights trading punches and continuing to find the strength to land one more haymaker.

Coach Townsend’s team refused to lose. When big plays were needed, someone stepped up. The play-calling was ingenious, the defense was stubborn…and the result was a memory that will endure for generations.

Meanwhile, in Madison, Illinois, the Lions of Edwards County scored one of the biggest wins in their history by shutting out the Trojans 7-0. I can tell you, that is a long road trip and Madison is not an easy place to win.

So, we have two football teams advancing to the second round of the IHSA playoffs with home games this coming weekend. If you were not able to make last week’s games there will be no excuse to miss the coming games.

Nothing brings a community together like winning at the local high school. Football is a game of passion and determination and those traits feed on the enthusiasm of the crowd. Help the local teams by planning on being there.

We can feel the pride….and we are so very proud to be the voice of the Lions and Mules on our radio stations. No matter what happens---this coming weekend will be special in our region.