I wish I had my camera last night.  I meant to bring it.  Truth is, I was actually a bit anxious as the late afternoon became evening on what Neil Diamond would appreciate….a Hot August Night.

NEWSFLASH….MY DEAR WIFE, CARRIE, TOOK SOME PICTURES WITH HER PHONE!

Last night the North Harrison Cougars played host to the Corydon Central Panthers.  The team in blue, the Cougars, won by a score of 49 to 0.  What I witnessed on the field was one of the finest team efforts ever put forth by a North Harrison team and know that I have seen plenty.  When quizzed what the difference in the teams were, I came up with one thing that stood out.  We were ready.  I use the pronoun “we” because I have strong ties to the school I attended and played for and am now employed by.  We were ready to play.  That included at the top of the list a well conditioned group of players.  They put in the work prior to getting here so they could reap the harvest.  Our linemen were in better physical shape than their backfield.  You win that way.  Thanks goes out to Coach Williamson and his staff.  You can’t imagine how much time and effort they have put in to have these young men where they are right now.  You have no idea.

While the Panthers were with hands on hips and thigh pads and knee pads looking for some remote quality to come through the thick August air they were looking for, the Cougars were still on the field bouncing around like prize fighters.  I was very proud of the Cougars last night. The season record stands at two victories and no defeats.  Next week we host the Salem Lions.  I hope it is a little cooler next Friday, though I doubt the NH Cougar Football Team cares.

At some point during the halftime, a gent showed up over my shoulder.  He is a stealthy sort.  I can’t tell you how glad I was to see him.  It was my old friend Mick Rutherford.  When I say old friend.  I mean it.  I have written of him before on these pages.  It was a hot August morning in 1979, my first day of school as a 6th grader at North Harrison Elementary.  He and Kelly Samons came and sat down by the new kid.  Am I ever thankful they did just that.

When I was punting the football and kicking the football on the field we were looking upon last night, Mick gave me the ball each time.  He was the long snapper and I can tell you…”Old Porter never missed a snap!”  Porter is a nickname that has a long derivative lineage we won’t go into here.  Just trust me.  Mick was a great teammate.  I wish we would find a way to get together more often.  Our euchre games are stuff of legend.  I am blessed.

Was it good to see him?  What do you think?

We were missing one old friend last night and I would be remiss not to mention him here and now.

Our dear old friend Malcolm “Corner King” Lincoln died 19 years ago yesterday.  Above is a picture of the two of us the day Carrie and I were married in 1996.  It is a treasured photograph.  It hangs on a wall in my home office space.  I look at it often.  Ironically, the good fellow that took this picture, Bryan Moss, was gathering up photos at the NH-Corydon game last night.  It is always good to see him.

On October 23rd,  Mick and Kelly and Gus Stephenson and I will be playing our 17th Annual Corner King Classic Golf Tournament.  It is a one round event.  A golf course can only take so much punishment from four old hackers.

Good game, good game, good game….that is what is usually repeated and repeated and repeated during a scene like this.  There is not much time for anything else to be said.

And so it goes.  And the band played on.

By the way, the North Harrison High School Band sounded great last night.  We are blessed to have Mr. Dathan Echols leading our fine high school instrumental music charge.  Keep up the good work.

As it was winding down last night I sat relieved, happy, and very content next to my old high school football coach and my always dear old Dad.  A nice way to take in an evening.   Thank you, Carrie.

Speaking the rights…

Danny Johnson

• Coming soon…Week 1 College Football Picks.