What does someone going 100 miles an hour while on a mission for God do for fun ? 12,13 or 14 times a year, he watches Duke University play football !

Anyone who knows much about college football knows that Duke will never be mistaken for a gridiron 🏈 powerhouse, but they are my team, have always been my team, and will remain that way to the very end.

So, I do my very best to protect the window πŸͺŸ in which they play each week. That day should always be on Saturday because Friday night should belong to High School football.

But the amount of money πŸ’°there is to be made nowadays, it has spilled over to Friday night. Even Duke is affected by this as both the @ Virginia and versus Clemson games have been pushed up one day. Money is what governs the NCAA now and that is never going to change.

This Saturday is going to be very special and not because we are 3-0 or because our running back, Nate Sheppard leads the nation in rushing yards, but because we will have very special guests joining us for the game !

Bill ” Pappy ” Meade is what kids nowadays call πŸ“ž ” The OG “, except he is not the Original Gangster but the ” Original Goodguy “.

Let me explain, Lin and I have always looked for ways to help others once we got past the stage of having to pray πŸ™ that the check to the grocery store didn’t bounce. But it wasn’t until six years ago that we created an umbrella for our efforts so we could give the glory to God.

We are trying hard to watch out for people because while we eventually made it to where we were destined to end up, it would have been easier if there had been a few more smiling πŸ˜ƒ faces along the way.

Pappy is a humble older man who is on the back nine of life, but he is still alive and kicking, still willing to stand up for the things that matter to him. The kicker is that he never does it at the expense of someone else. In today’s world 🌎, we need more people like Pappy.

He proves that you can be committed to who you are and still have grace πŸ‘‘.

Why this weekend ? Pappy went from Robert E Lee High School in Staunton ( now Staunton High School ) on to The College of William and Mary.

Remember that I couldn’t have attended either the College of William or Mary, you have no idea just how proud of that degree I am.

Pappy is the poster child of pretty much everything in that I believe.

When you are constantly trying to side up with the underdog in life, you end up on the wrong end of the scoreboard more often than not. But one of the proudest things that I’ve accomplished in my life is I have NEVER ONCE looked at another person and said to him or her that my team beat your team. That is just not why I watch,announce, or write about sports.

Look at the point spread on this one and know that there will be a federal investigation πŸ”Ž of a 43.5-point favorite that doesn’t cover. Yet, there will be no taunting about the outcome.

But there are other challenges when all four of the participants on a special day are north of 60.

We needed a special plan for a very special occasion, and after exploring many options, the best answer is to meet up in Durham, watch the game and spend the night πŸŒ™ before heading back to our perspective homes 🏑.

It’s okay to grow old. It happens to everyone who is blessed πŸ™Œ to live that long. You just need to move at a 🐌 slower pace and watch out for each other!

I’m excited about Saturday afternoon because I get to hang out with My OG and his much younger bride πŸ‘°β€β™‚πŸ’•.

Meanwhile, back here amongst the cows πŸ„ that belong to one of my neighbors but I claim as my own, I am asking myself if there is anything that I can do to encourage our volleyball 🏐 teams tonight as they head to Martinsville ???

Who says you can’t be in multiple places at the same time ???? We have a number of things happening right now, and while Lin and I are in Durham, we do have a few friends… Live for the Day

Working πŸ’ͺ on tomorrows production…

Shawn Montgomery and Cross Country, Cindy Edwards and Varsity Volleyball, Nikki Heflin, and JV Volleyball all matter, even from a distance !

Coach Montgomery has sent in his results from the meet, and Travis Osborne is keeping me current from the JV Rebel Classic in Glade Springs.

Meanwhile, I am having a next level conversation with regard to tomorrow afternoon in hopes of getting everyone involved on the same page !

Ryan McCafferty and Greg Bolen are both gracious with their time. I am truly looking forward to seeing πŸ‘€ both tomorrow. Kristy Jones and Ron Cochran are two more…..

10am to Noon : our prep time.

Noon – 1:30 : Focus on the two race 🏁 cars, their families, and young Ryan.

1:30 – 2:00 – Greg Bolen, Kevin Burress and I will go live from the pitching circle, breaking down the day for everyone !

We will have a very special set of introductions that will include a Moment of Silence, live National Anthem performed 🎭 by two wonderful people and the last official piece of business will be Mr Bolen tossing out our Ceremonial First Pitch. I holler out, Play ▢️Ball, and we begin the game shortly after 2 pm.

   We will continue to create an atmosphere around the game, but please note πŸ“ that Coach Nester wants a ” REAL” game to be played out, and it’s his day….

I’m not sure exactly what my partner, Kevin Burress has in mind for his race car driver, Dakota Walls but I do know that my driver, Kristy Jones, the Mon with the plan, will be very actively involved with our Alumni team !!!

The rest of the post πŸ“« will include cross country, two levels of volleyball 🏐 and maybe some Duke University Football as the day plays out.

If any of that interests you, please πŸ™ check back. If not, it’s all good. Getting the final update on the festivities has now concluded….

Just the start of our cross-country coverage !

More to follow…

1:30 pm updates !

From Shawn Montgomery :

From Durham :

File this one under good things come to those who wait !!!!!

Cindy Edwards has checked βœ”οΈ in with her update after 2 matches :

We opened by defeating Radford and followed up with a hard fought setback against a very talented Abingdon High club.

Travis Osborne let’s us know the following from down in Glade Springs!

The second match is now underway !

1:48 PM

Joi Ogle has checked in !!!

Thank you, Ma’am

From Travis :

Individual results from all four teams !!

Side Note πŸ“ – watching πŸ‘€ UNC – Clemson while having lunch and the new Aflac commercial with Ben Affleck is three miles beyond funny 😁 but only if you have seen The Accountant movies 🎬

See, I could tell you how long of a week our Lady Cavaliers are finishing up or I can let someone else do it…

Courtside with Travis Osborne, that has a nice ring πŸ’ to it !
Callie Harris is playing volleyball 🏐 South of the Border today !
We are equal opportunity, so how about Joi Ogle, Courtside !

3:20 pm update :

Kevin DeHaven has to scramble for his eligibility guide because of what just happened down in Abingdon !!!!

” I will say Kimmie Weddle gave a pep talk that had me motivated to go onto the court🀣”!!!!!

Mr. DeHaven, does Joi Ogle have an eligibility left ?????

Did the speech work ?

We won in 2 sets !!!!!

We see πŸ‘€ you, Kim Weddle or should I say, we hear you, girlfriend !!!!

Pics πŸ“Έ from Joi !!!

Before we head over to Wallace Wade Stadium 🏟, let’s see πŸ‘€ what is happening over in Glade Springs

We will pick this back up once inside the Stadium !!!!

Short walk completed, now in our seats πŸ’Ί

From the cellphone of Clara’s Dad πŸ‘¨

Duke executed an on side kick on first play of game !!!!

Back over to Travis Osborne in Glade Springs :

Keep fighting Ladies !
Mr Austin, with the 411 on the first two matches

4:45 update : here in the S.A.T Bowl, it’s scoreless after the 1st quarter.

North Carolina State just suffered as heartbreaking of a loss one could imagine.

Carroll County High Varsity Girls πŸ‘§ had one Lady Cavalier running in the cross country today.

Amelia Forsyth

From Joi Ogle :

Lady Cavaliers dropped the opening set in their next match.

Nate Sheppard just scooted 32 yards for a TD, Duke leads 7-0 [10:42-2]

How about are Middle School 🏫 Boys cross country runners πŸƒβ€β™‚οΈ:

Great job fellas !!!

Nate can score on a passing play as well, now 14-0 [5:29-2]

We had a great showing !!!

More from Joi in Abingdon…Very energetic finish to win 2nd set !!!

Stanford University with a TD with 0:16 remaining in the first half…still up 14-7 at 5:32 pm

5:35 – Halftime here in Durham, NC + Travis awaits the start of the 4th JV match and Joi is ready for the third set of Varsity.

Lin’s catches the intro…

Shawn Montgomery and his Varsity Boys held their own today !

Well done, Gents !
Update from South Carolina
Military πŸͺ– Appreciation Day !!!
Hey, Kevin Burress…..do you see πŸ‘€ this !

Joi Ogle from Abingdon :

Lost 16-18, Played hard to the end

No doubt about that, Thank you, Ma’am !

Travis Osborne with JV :

Wise Central takes opening set, 25 – 10

Joi Ogle :

Playing again at 6:30 for 3rd place is what I am hearing…

6:04 pm – Nate the Great with his 3rd TD of the day, and my chant is “He’s just a Sophomore”.

Mr DeHaven confirms what Joi mentioned… one more match for Varsity.

Just two odd people being two odd people

WC takes the win 25-22 to finish out our day.

Thank you, Brother Osborne !!!

Coach Diaz is a trickster today, and it just led to a fourth TD, now 28 -7 !!!!

6 :35 pm – end of the 3rd quarter, up 28-7 battery πŸ”‹ down to 20%…

Joi Ogle Pic πŸ“Έ

They gave an award to 14 individuals who display merit, good sportsmanship, and character in honor of Kirk Nairn. Ali Wright was awarded it from Carroll !!!!!

6:51 pm – Duke punches πŸ‘Š it in, 35 – 7 with 8:20 remaining in the game.

πŸ”ŒπŸ”ŒπŸ”Œ Kara Lawson and our Lady Blue Devils!

Hey Travis Osborne, December 3rd is the night Dawn Staley is coming up to Cameron Indoor Stadium 🏟 – want to be my βž•οΈ1 ????

7:07 updates :

Phone πŸ“± at 14%

Duke up 35 – 7 at 2 minute warning ⚠️

Playing Northwood. We are up 8-3 ( Varsity VB )

2 things happened at 7:16 pm

And Lady Cavs take opening set !

8 : 22 pm – Updates !!!

There is nothing that I wouldn’t do for the Kiddos and coaches on The Hill but I’m limited to my Dance partners.

Some days, I am the one at the Prom fighting back tears 😒 because no one  will ask me.

Tonight, it was like Leo Sayers..

Thank you to all who participated today !

Cindy Edwards, Joi Ogle, and Kevin DeHaven βž•οΈ Michelle Nicholson for posting it ( Abingdon )

From Glade Springs : Brother Osborne and Austin Keith

Shawn Montgomery from Cross Country.

Kevin Burress, Ron Cochran, Kristy Jones, Greg Bolen and Samantha Reed along with Coach Nester in regards  tomorrow’s event….

Travis updates that our precious cargo is safely

Varsity at Ceacker Barrell, Lin, and I 83 minutes from Laurel Fork.

Back safely amongst the Cows πŸ„ in Laurel Fork at 10:20 pm

Next Stop βœ‹οΈ, Cavalier Park !!!!

You know the feeling that something is missing….

Middle School 🏫 Girls Cross Country…

Week # 2 of 12 takes Duke University out to Champaign – Urbina for a showdown with the Big 10. Duke 31, Illinois 27 (F)

  This game is the backend of a home and home agreement reached a few years ago.  Illinois rolled to a victory last year at Wallace Wade Stadium 🏟 after Duke committed five turnovers.

Last week, Duke recorded a 17-3 victory over Tulane, a Green Wave team that made the Playoffs last season, and now they face Illinois after they just finished the most successful two years in program history.

Getting out of this at 1-1 would seem like a victory in itself.  No ducking in the first two weeks, but any Saturday that includes Duke University Football is a great day !

Illinois – TD Drive πŸš—

Duke – TD Drive πŸš—

Illinois – 51 yard Field Goal

Duke – Punt

Illinois – TD Drive πŸš—

Duke – Fake punt converted, TD Drive πŸš—

7:06 (2) – Illinois 17, Duke 14

More 2 Follow

Illinois – TD Drive πŸš— (24-14)

Duke – TD Drive πŸš— (0:38)

Illinois – misses 62 yard Field Goal

_____________________________________

Halftime [5:16]

Duke – TD Drive πŸš—

Illinois – 47 yard FG (Duke, 28-27)

Duke –

End of 3rd quarter [6:10]

__________________________________

Duke – 39 yard Field Goal (13:53 -4)

Illinois –  turnover on downs (9:38)

Duke – 3 and out, Punt (8:14)

Illinois – Picked off by Duke

Duke – Punt (6: 13)

Illinois – turnover on downs (2:54)

Duke –

2:00 warning ⚠️ victory formation x 3

2-0 !!!!!
Saturday afternoon ( 4pm) at Wallace Wade Stadium 🏟 versus Stanford University

Welcome πŸ™ to the weekend, and we start things off with our Morning πŸŒ„ Brew !

Travis Osborne and his Bible Verse of the Day :

Proverbs 12:28 In the way of righteousness is life: and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

We have a few things to keep an eye on today as Cross Country heads to the Star City, Ferrum College plays 🏑 volleyball at Noon and at 3:30, Duke plays football at the University of Illinois.

Vickey Ritchie shared some thoughts and pics πŸ“Έ from last night that need to be framed up to tell a touching story. I’m looking forward to that as well.

Have a Blessed Day πŸ™ŒπŸ˜‡

It’s HOT πŸ”₯πŸ₯΅ outside in Durham right now,  but not as hot as the Lady Cavaliers Volleyball team !

Cindy Edwards and Company move to 3-0 on the season with a sweep of George Wythe in the opening match in the day long Invitational at Patrick Henry – Glade Springs !!!

Our lunch date:

Lady Cavaliers take second match of the Day, over Johnson County !!

90 minutes of a delay pushes the kickoff back to 5:00 pm.

Carroll County High School 🏫  volleyball finished up 4-1 ( more coverage in separate post πŸ“« ).

Duke marched straight down the field on the opening drive for a 7-0 lead. The first half was all Duke, but only 10-0 to show for it.

The third quarter was scoreless, so now 15:00 remains….

Nate Sheppard now has 223 yards !!!! Average of 7.0 yards per carry…

17 – 3 lead with 6+ left to play….

Home, James….let’s go 🏑