History was made this past Friday night in Brundidge, Ala., when Flomaton High School defeated Pike County in the Class 3A quarterfinals of the state playoffs. It was a classic.
History was made because Flomaton will play in the semi-finals for the first time in history. I guess I didn't realize that until head coach Doug Vickery spoke to the team after Friday night's 12-10 victory. I was also shocked to learn that Flomaton has played 94 seasons of football and has never advanced beyond the quarterfinals.
Flomaton will play host to Providence Christian this Friday night for a chance to advance to the Class 3A finals next Thursday at Jordan-Hare Stadium on the campus of Auburn University. History has already been made, but the history book is still open for the 2018 Hurricanes.
What impressed me more than the game itself Friday night just outside Troy was the fact that Flomaton's stands were packed out and Pike County's side was about three-quarters full. Somebody pointed out that the home side had more seats than the visitors, but I still thought it was a pitiful turnout by the Pike County faithful and a great turnout by the Hurricane supporters.
Opportunities like this don't come often, obviously they haven't come to Flomaton in 94 years.
I remember I was about 17 years old playing baseball on a Pony League team through the Tuscaloosa Parks and Recreation and we had a good baseball team. I had an opportunity to go to the beach the week the championship game was going to be played. I was in a dilemma. We'd played a full season, but that one game came during an opportunity for a free trip to the beach. I remember my daddy telling me “Most people go through life without ever winning a championship.” Basically he told me not to let this opportunity slip by. I played, we won and I still have a certificate stuffed back somewhere.
I was on a 10-year old Little League baseball team that won a title, but I didn't get to play much; so it was kind of special. I told David Stokes that story many years ago when we teamed up for a tennis tournament. Neither of us were very good, but we did make it to the finals. I gave him my 'Win one for the Gipper' speech before the match and we won.
Friday will be a special day in Flomaton on the eve of the Christmas parade on Saturday.
I attended a meeting Tuesday night to put the final touches on the parade and Friday night's game came up. The Flomaton Area Chamber of Commerce and Mayor Dewey Bondurant Jr., are encouraging businesses and individuals to show their green, by displaying ribbons and more to decorate the town in support of the Hurricanes. I wish I owned a ribbon shop right now.
I've heard the old saying of only having one chance to make a good impression and that chance may be this Friday night. I expect a large crowd from Dothan; I expect multiple media outlets to converge on Flomaton; I expect people from Brewton, Atmore, East Brewton, Jay and beyond to come to Flomaton this Friday night.
I actually talked to a Flomaton resident this week who said he hasn't been to a game all year, but he'd be there Friday night. I should name him, but I won't.
So, we need to make the town green for Friday. We need to show our visitors from Dothan that we support our Hurricanes. We also need to show our support by showing up for the football game.
I've covered some big games in Flomaton over the years, but this one has to take the cake. My dream is to look up and see no seat untaken and five or more deep along the fences.
By the way, if you want to get a seat the gates open at 5 p.m. and I expect them to be filled by no later than 6 p.m.
Go Green, Go Canes; make this a night to remember forever.
Then we'll see you bright and early next Thursday in Auburn.
