Growing up in a big community like the Bryan-College Station area, I always thought that football was always a big thing for the town. Every game featured throngs of ecstatic fans in the stands, the band, and all kinds of excitement. However, despite football’s influence on the town, not everybody made it out to the contests. In fact, the town just continued like normal even though the Friday night lights shone brightly from Merrill Green Stadium. Yes, there were lots of people gathered to watch the game, but it seemed like other things took priority over what I believed was the greatest thing ever next to college football. However, after getting a taste of what small town football on Friday night looks like, I soon learned that a big town doesn’t always mean big football.
On a trip to our deer lease in West Texas, we stopped in the small town of Mason, TX to watch the local high school football team, just to have something different to do in town besides watch TV at our lease. Let me tell you, trying to find an open restaurant can be a challenge in those small towns during football season. At 6:30 sharp, it seemed like all life in the town disappeared and flocked to the shining lights of Mason Puncher Stadium just outside the town in a park that served as an RV station, golf course, and hiking trail. Yes, the sit down restaurants were open as well as the Stripes gas station, but everything else was shut down as the towns people made their way to the football field. The Mason Punchers, a 2A squad, were set to take on district leader Harper.
In high school football, 2A teams usually have just enough athletes to form a 22-man team (some are smaller, but can be bigger depending on the enrollment at that school), and usually not a lot of people attend these games. Concessions is usually your standard popcorn and drinks, and there might be a band and some cheerleaders. Oh no, this town went ALL OUT for this game! It was Mason’s homecoming game, which normally would entail some type of festivities like homecoming queen and king announcements. However, there was more. First, we had to park about a 1/4 of a mile from the stadium and walk over through the RV Park to get to the field because the parking lots were full, and people were still trying to get in to see the game. I could see smoke coming from the field, and instantly new something good was cooking. Sure enough, I found that the concessions menu featured BBQ sandwiches, hamburgers, the essentials like popcorn and candy. When we went to look for a seat, the ENTIRE stands on the home side were shoulder-to-shoulder packed. Luckily, we found room just beyond the stands in the bleachers. I surveyed the area and found some posters with local sponsors, some of them were really small businesses. They had a bell that they rang every time the Punchers scored and even the band played really well (they played a rendition to Bon Jovi and rocked it!). We left the game early because of two reasons: Mason was punishing Harper and we still had some work to do before we could go to bed.
The overall experience was enjoyable, but it was the fact that the town nearly shut down Friday night just to watch their kids play. Yes, there isn’t much to do in a small town, but they put their stock in their football team and work hard to make sure the players, fans, and visitors have a nice time while at the game. The atmosphere was electric, the stadium design was really neat, and the fans supported their team with an undying passion. I can honestly say that that game was a truly neat experience that reminded me of why I love football so much. The Mason Puncher faithful truly care about their team, and they make Friday night a special occasion for their players and the other towns people. I used to think big city/town football was the best thing ever, but seeing a small town game may have changed my mind. Go out and see one, it just might surprise you!
