By Staff
It felt good to be back in the friendly confines of Chris Taylor-Alumni Field on Friday night.
At least until Gull Lake pulled out the overtime victory over the Chieftains.
It feels like I have been on the road with the Chieftains all year long.
The truth of the matter is that the Chieftains only have four home games this season.
Next year it will feel like I never leave town to cover the team.
Back-to-back road games made it seem like an eternity. I don't mind traveling to cover our sports teams, but it does get a little old when it seems like I am in my car constantly.
I would much rather make the short trip over to the high school, middle school or to the football field than drive nearly 100 miles to an away event.
What I like best about being home for games is that I get a chance to hang around the field or gymnasium and talk with the Dowagiac fans.
You learn a lot about the team by talking with the parents. You get a feel for how the kids are coping with their successes or failures by talking with them.
I don't get that kind of opportunity at away games.
When the Chieftains are on the road I still like to show up as early as possible, but the fans may not get there until the last minute.
My opportunity to talk with them is limited by the fact that we all just want to get back home as soon as we can.
For those of you who are worried after Friday night's loss to Gull Lake, don't be.
The Chieftains may not win the Wolverine Conference championship this season, but I fully expect Dowagiac to win its final two games and qualify for the Michigan High School Athletic Association playoffs.
It would have been nice to see the team go 8-1 this season and host a first round playoff game.
That's not going to happen now, but the Chieftains can certainly finish at 7-2 and go into the playoff s on a roll.
I have gotten to know most of these young men over the past few years and I do not believe that they will let Friday night's loss affect them as they continue on down the road toward the playoffs.
Don't worry if we get off to a slow start on Friday night at Otsego. The team is going to get the job done and earn its sixth win of the season.
Dowagiac is a good football team. The Chieftains have lost to a pair of good football teams.
There is no reason for them to have their heads down. Both Comstock and Gull Lake are playoff qualifiers and I believe can win some games in the post season.
It will help the team if a large number of fans make the trip up US 131 and are very vocal in their support.
I look forward to seeing you in Otsego on Friday.