OK, so if you’ve never been to a Bomber sporting event, you’re probably surprised to hear (see) me utter those words. Those who’ve seen me in full crazed-Bomber-fan mode, or have been going to games for a while, however, know this is one of the things we lunatic fans have been chanting under our breath for years.
Y’all are probably sick of hearing my buildup to the big rivalry game this Friday night, but that’s just too bad — you’ll get over it, as my brother is fond of saying. In my defense, however, tmy excitement apparently mirrors that gripping Mountain Home. For the last several years, the fanatical anticipation of the Harrison football game just hasn’t been there. When I was a kid, I remember seeing Bomber gold signs all around town declaring, in all caps, “BEAT HARRISON.” I haven’t seen one of those signs in probably five or ten years.
This year, things feel like they’re turning around, though. To wit, check out the article that appeared in today’s Baxter Bulletin — two days before the game! (I’m normally a fiend about copyright and whatnot, but I don’t think the Bulletin archives its stories and I don’t want to lose this in two weeks.)
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Bombers-Goblins matchup creates buzz
By SONNY ELLIOTT – Bulletin Sports Editor
The buzz has begun.
Mountain Home High School’s Bomber football team is off to a 1-0 start on the season and now returns home to host the arch rival Harrison Golden Goblins in the home opener Friday evening at Bomber Stadium.
The rivalry is one of the longest in the state as the Bombers and Goblins have battled for 57 consecutive years. Mountain Home trails in the series 12-42-3.
A community-wide pep rally is scheduled for the Bombers on Thursday at 5 p.m. in the Wal-Mart Super Center parking lot in Mountain Home.
“I think it’s going to be a big thing,” said Mountain Home head coach Shane Patrick. “We’re going to have a community-wide pep rally and we’re also using this as a community service project. Our players will be at the check-out stations and anyone that needs help taking their groceries and things to the car, we’ll be there to help. We’ll also have some games set up for kids, like a football toss and a field goal kicking contest.
“Some of the people that are sponsors — Wal-Mart and Coca-Cola — are going to provide prizes. Wal-Mart is providing hot dogs to give away and it’s going to be a really big deal,” he added. “I hope that people will come out and enjoy it. It’ll last an hour and hopefully it will build some excitement for Friday night’s game. I also hope that everyone will come on out to Bomber Stadium afterwards and support the Junior Bombers in their season opener at 6 p.m.”
Heading into the rivalry game after a season-opening, 21-14 win over Marion has livened things up in the Bombers’ practices these week.
“I think our kids are excited about having a chance to play Harrison,” said Patrick. “It’s been a long rivalry here between the two towns and the schools. It means a lot to us, but at the same time, I tell the kids that its not a make or break game.
“We’re going out to try and win the ballgame and play as good as we can,” he added. “I feel like if we can win this game, it will propel us into the rest of our season and we’ll have a chance to make the playoffs.”
Despite the chances for distractions that accompany a rivalry game, Patrick says the Bombers have kept their sights on the task at hand on the field of play.
“We’re staying focused,” he said. “The kids know the importance of the game and they’re excited about it, but then I think they’re beginning to understand along with that excitement, you’ve have to concentrate on what you’re doing. If you don’t execute on Friday nights, you won’t be able to win the ballgame.”
Mountain Home began its preparation for Harrison on Sunday and also practiced on Labor Day as well.
“I think we’ve still got to work technique and become better tacklers. We also are working on our conditioning, those are the three things that we have to continue getting better at,” said Patrick of the focus of the workouts. “Each week we that we do practice and play, we’ll get better. It’s a building process, you can’t start at the top, you’ve got to start at the bottom and build it up.”