Ready for a rumble

By Corine Gatti

Published: September 12, 2008

STUARTS DRAFT — Bring it on.
The energy, the anticipation, the love of community football that makes fans stand in line and camp outside the perimeters of the Stuarts Draft football field with blankets and coolers.
That’s what many supporters did Friday night before the annual Battle of the Ball between Stuarts Draft and Waynesboro.
The game radiated more than a championship-series feeling. It had the perks of a concert mixed with the fun of a festival. Music from the Cougars’ marching band, face painting, raffles and bake sales were abound.
“I don’t really know anyone on these teams, but I think that many people here just want to come out and support these games,” said Sandy Cooper as she sat in a folding chair beside her pickup truck and two dogs just outside the metal fence. Cooper taught for 34 years in the Waynesboro school system.
She did admit, “I am partial to the Waynesboro kids. This is a community event, you don’t have to have children playing to come out and enjoy the game.”
Cars packed the parking lot at the high school and overflowed into the surrounding areas of grass and dirt. Many fans used their cars and trucks as seats.
Ian Drewry was with his wife, Terri. They had table of refreshments set out and a blanket to cozy up on with a great view to cheer Ian’s nephew, Tyler Bridge, who plays for the Cougars.
“There has been a rivalry between these schools for years. You can feel it,” Terri said.
Outside the Draft baseball field, a powder-blue van had its side doors open, overlooking the football field.
“Yeah! There you go, Kevin! Go for it!”
That was Skibo and Allene Jackson shouting in celebration of their grandson, the Giants’ Kevin Jackson, after his 89-yard kick return.
“This is better than a drive-in movie,” Skibo said.
The way their van was perched on an incline, they could see the whole field and enjoy the breeze during the humid night.
“We love coming out here. We will follow the team the best we can,” Allene said. “This is fun to come out here, or to any of the games. We have so much fun.”
And the rivalry seems destined to live on.
“I think Waynesboro had a few big rivals, like [Robert E.] Lee or Wilson,” Allene said. “Nothing like it is between them and Draft. It has always been that way.”
When it comes to Friday night football, people will continue to pile in their cars and trucks, suffer grass-stained pants or shirts because there is no room in the stands and appreciate the camaraderie. And this year’s Battle of the Ball was no different.
“This is a way the community can support each other and be together,” Cooper said.