Football Night in Tennessee

Last Friday night was the home opener for The King's Academy High School football team.

My boy? #51. Edison plays center and defensive line.

A bit of holding, perhaps?

They lost to Cosby, 41-14.  Tonight they play Tri-Cities.  Local sports guys are split on who will win.  Edison thinks that TKA will.  I'll go with my boy.

He's one of the captains of the team this year.  He says, "Dad, I'm one of four seniors.  We're all captains and I'll be a captain all year long."  I'm still proud of him.  His play is tough and his encouragement, both on and off the field, is one of kindness and help.  He's at every practice when he's in town and would be in on every play if the coaches would let him.  He's out there most of the time, except when he needs a breather.

This is what I'll be doing on Friday nights this semester.  And I wouldn't want it any other way.

images courtesy of my sister-in-law, Lori Higgins

Food City Race Night - the aftermath

Hmmm, I thought that they'd have cards. Nope. Lots of cars, great music, sponsor giveaways, but I didn't see any trading cards.

Carwise, probably the highlight of the show was the Trevor Bayne 'We Back Pat' car honoring Pat Summit.

Oversized food was everywhere.  Vienna Sausage was sponsoring a Pit Crew challenge.  You had the opportunity to change a tire with an air wrench.  I didn't try.  But I did eat a sausage.  Yum.

Who doesn't like the General Lee?  Cooter's Place is just up the road.

Ah, baseball.  A respite in the sea of gas fumes.

Dale Jr.'s car.

Andy Armadilo, the Texas Roadhouse mascot.  If that doesn't scare you...

... maybe Twinky the Kid will.

Or a real live mermaid.

Local short tracks provided a few drivers.  This is Robbie Comer's car.  He races at 411 Motor Speedway, just down the road from my house, about five miles.  He graciously gave me two tickets for an upcoming race.  He's got a new fan.

I was invited to the show by my friend Darrell Webb.  Here's a video I shot of him performing with Cody Shuler and Pine Mountain Railroad.


All in all it was fun hour and a half. That same day my cell phone died, so had to get a new one. While I was at it, I made arrangements for my wife to get one as well. Of course, nothing is easy when people and stores are on the other side of town.

Food City Race Night

This Friday is the Food City 250 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Which means that tonight is the Food City Race Night in Knoxville. Sort of a fan fest. I've been wanting to go for years, but I have the opportunity to go this evening.

My friend, Darrell Webb, will be playing guitar with Cody Shuler and Pine Mountain Railroad. Darrel is releasing his second CD this weekend. I'll get to see his band perform at Seymour Heights Christian Church on Sunday night.

Highlights of this evening's Race Night will be Trevor Bayne and Pat Summit.  Trevor is racing in the "We Back Pat" # 60 Roush Fenway car.

There will be opportunities for photos and autographs.  I'm taking my camera.  We'll see what happens.


Here's a Jeff Burton card.  He won't be there, but will be racing at Bristol this weekend.

1995 Upper Deck
Jeff Burton (card # 26)

Backgammon and Cribbage

Trying to figure out what to post I grabbed by big binder-o-cards. These two cards were screaming out, "Please scan us." I had to oblige.  It took me a moment to remember why I had these in the binder.  The cards are different.  Blue PADRES vs. white PADRES.  I hadn't looked at these in so long I had forgotten which was the error card.  A bit of googling brought me to Andy's 88 Topps Cards blog for the answer.

1988 Topps
Keith Comstock (card # 778)

1988 Topps
error
Keith Comstock (card # 778)

So, Keith likes backgammon and cribbage.  So do I, but I didn't spend 12 years in the minors saying, "15 for two." "His nobs."  "Muggins."

Some Baseball Cards

I found a few cards that I like in the brick-o-cards I purchased several weeks ago.

I like the simplistic design of the Donruss, with the team accent color on the front.

2005 Donruss Classic
Juan Pierre (card # 83)

Interesting to note that Cy Young never won a Cy Young award.

2000 Upper Deck Legends
Reflections in Time
Cy Young / Pedro Martinez  (card # R2)

I do like the hitting breakdown for Pat.  He didn't have a great year, but if I were Larry Bowa, I'd keep him out until the middle innings.

2004 Fleer Hot Prospects Draft
Pat Burrell (card # 7)

See, I'm getting back to semi-normal.

NASCAR Favoritism

I know that there is Roush-Fenway racing, but it appears that there is also some sort of NASCAR-National League New York team connection.

1998 Press Pass
Mike Trower (card # 68)

1998 Press Pass
Steve Spahr (card # 80)

1998 Press Pass
Patrick Donahue (card # 70)

1998 Press Pass
Ray Everham  (card # 72)

Normally I show the backs cards.  They're pretty much the same.  Same photo of the car getting serviced in the pits, per team.  Just the crew member's name and circle photo get changed.  Well, the number, too.

1995 Donruss Red Zone

I stopped in at the Antiques and Collectibles shop in south KnoxVegas last night on my way to one of the high school football jamborees.

I came across something that I've not encountered.  Cards from a football card game.  Sort of like MLB Showdown 2000.  Sort of.  There were cellophane packs with two player cards and a card describing the game.  I picked up four packs. 

Here are two Hall of Famers.  I see on Beckett and ebay where the cards have numbers but I can't find them on the card.  Maybe they are unnumbered, but listed sequentially.  I don't know.

Barry Sanders, looking as lost as I am.
"Do I kick?  Am I injured?  A penalty and extra yards?"

COMC has Barry booking at $20.  I paid a lot less.  A lot less.

Dan Marino looking as lost as Barry is.
"Pass or Run?  What is a FADD?  Can I kick?"

Any reader want to help me out with the numbering system?  Or would you admit to playing this back in the day?  Did you understand it?