If you know one thing about me then you know I love cheering for my kids on the sidelines! It is quite simply one of my favorite things to do as a Mom. Tomorrow night is Heritage Hall’s kickoff and I cannot wait. I have been cooking, crafting and getting this family fired up to go watch Jackson! College and pro sports are fun but there is something about high school sports. Watching these young men work hard and competing for their futures! Their mission is simple. With Tradition Comes Responsibility. These men are mindful that they are ALL working for one common goal. It is also fun to get to know these kids personally. Some dream of the NFL, others are working hard for college scholarships and some are just happy to be on the team. One kid in particular may not have been the hardest hitter on the field but he will probably one day be a Governor of this great state. I have found by observing these kids that being part of a team means accepting everyone’s flaws while helping accentuate their gifts.
Football season for me is not just about the game Friday night. In fact, half the time I don’t even know what is going on. To me, it is about the fellowship and bonds I create with the parents and fans. Every game I am amazed to see the stands fill with parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. It brings families together. In fact, it was the catalyst that helped my husband and his half sister bond. Her family never missed a game. You just never know how much a team can help heal a participants heart. Last year we had a player who’s father passed away a month before the season began. I remember meeting his mom at picture day. She told me that her son had not touched a football field since he was in 4th grade. She said they were just out there to be a “part of the team.” My husband and I quickly realized that his participation was a means to help him heal. Though he may not have been a starter, he was every bit the backbone to keeping the players fired up. He was quite honestly the teams cheerleader as well as the players social media spokesperson. The miracle came when our team played all the way through the Thanksgiving holiday and through December 20th. This helped keep him and his family focused on playoffs, keeping warm sitting in the stands and not as focused on what was breaking their hearts. I understand how awful that first year is on a family. In the end we all won the Championship last year! I truly believe with all of my heart that this one season was God’s blessing to its players, fans, coaches and families. Never underestimate the power of being on a team!
With all of that said….eating is a big thing for our fans. We make it a tradition to tailgate as a group before the away games. We load up the tables, grills and foil pans to cook wherever we may be going. There are so many great things people bring. We have had stuffed grape leaves to beef stroganoff made by a players Grandpa in a huge pot. Unbelievable food that nourishes our tummy and soul at the same time! However when it is game time we are in the stands ready to cheer on our Chargers!
Here are a few of my favorites!
Meatball Sandwich on a Stick
2 tubes of refrigerated pizza crust
1 package frozen meatballs, slightly thawed
1/2 stick melted salted butter
1 teaspoon garlic powder
wooden skewers
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Open the refrigerated pizza crust and cut into 8 strips. To put it on the stick: skewer the end of bread stick and then put on a meatball, then wrap the bread around the outside of the meatball and secure the breadstick (forming an S formation) and then add another meatball and continue till you finish with the breadstick on top. In a small bowl combine the garlic and butter. Brush the breadsticks with butter and bake for 15-20 minutes or until done.
Dude Dip
2 containers cream cheese, softened
2 cups mozzarella cheese blend, grated
1/4 cup buffalo sauce
1/4 cup bacon, crumbled
2 cups shredded chicken (I use a rotisserie chicken in a pinch)
1/2 bottle of beer (your choice)
1/4 cup blue cheese
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium sized bowl using an electric mixer blend together the cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, buffalo sauce, bacon, shredded chicken, and beer till combined. Pour the dip mixture into a 9×13 baking pan and sprinkle with blue cheese. Cook for 30 minutes or until bubbly. Serve with your favorite chips or veggies.