2009...Classic Posts from my pal Cliff Feightner's: " From the Pressbox ''

From the Pressbox:Sandy Valley

Cliff Note: I apologize for the poor quality of the band photo, as I was shooting it through a screen. I promise to get some good quality ones tonight.
Last night your ailing favorite high school band announcer traveled with the best bunch of student musicians to Sandy Valley High to cheer on the 1-1 Rittman Fighting Indians, as they faced the Sandy Valley Cardinals. I could feel the enthusiasm of the band as I rode the bus with them.
The team started the evening on offense, but eventually gave up the ball to Sandy Valley who converted it to an early score. The rest of the first half showed the Rittman offense holding their own, while the defense was overmatched.
Halftime saw the Rittman Indians Marching Band performing before a polite Sandy Valley audience, opening with the majorette feature, Led Zeppelin's "Rock and Roll". Next the band rocked the house with the rolling Stone's "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction."
The musical "Chicago" provided the closing number to last night's show, And all That Jazz."
Last night's program provided a preview for what should be a very entertaining night of marching and music tonight at the St. Vincent-St. Mary band festival. Show begins at 7:00.
The football team returned to show some heart during the second half but fell short, the final score being 32-22, advantage Sandy Valley.

From the Pressbox: Bridgeport

It's a new season. The Rittman Fighting Indians have a new head coach, and the Rittman Marching band, for the first time since 1978 have new uniforms.
It was parent's night in Rittman. Before the game, most participants of fall sports, cheerleaders, and band members were escorted on the field by their parents. Cliff Note:I felt I had to get my obligatory photo of Brenda here, so here's a photo of Brenda and her husband Tom escorting daughter Rachel across the field.
Saturday night was a beautiful night for high school football. The game was also broadcast on WQKT/104.5, so high school football junkies tuned in to the action from my small town. And the listening audience was treated to the Rittman Marching Band version of our national anthem.
Although the Rittman Indians football team is much improved this season, they were overmatched by the Bridgeport Bulldogs, a team which were in the state playoffs last season. They were overmatched but did not give up, going into halftime with a 14-0 deficit.
During halftime, the Bridgeport band performed three tunes for the faithful Rittman audience, which included the Abba hit "Dancing Queen."
And then it was time for the Rittman Indians Marching Band to take the field to the thundering applause of those who appreciate homegrown talent. First selection was "Espana Cani', featuring a trumpet duet. Next on the list was a song made famous by a Mitsubishi commercial, a song by the British electronica/hip hop duo, the Wise Guys, "Start the Commotion". To end the evening, the the band performed "The Hit onFowl's Leg-Baba Yaga". The performance was exceptional for it being the band's first show of the year.
This year, the band is marching 51 student musicians, the largest of any band I've announced for.
The football team scored a touchdown during the second half, but Bridgeport proved to be too much for the revitalized Indian foootball squad. Good news is these young men showed a lot of heart this evening.