I’ve written previously about how hard it is for a small-town, rural school to compete in athletics and other extra-curricular activities against larger, more populous institutions – where there is a larger pool of talent to choose from and use each and every year (click here to link to that article).

But every now and then, lightning strikes – even in a small school.

The town where I live (Clear Spring, MD) is a tiny hamlet (only 350 residents, according to internet statistics).  Whenever school is in session; however, the size of the town more than doubles, as the population of just the high school registers at somewhere around 400 total students.  These kids participate in organized sports every year, and in most seasons the football, soccer, softball, and baseball teams go through their schedule, just trying to eek out a few wins and represent their school with good sportsmanship, honor, and fair play.

This academic year, though, has been a special one.  It’s been one of those rare occasions where a group of talented kids has melded together to create a formidable challenge to the powerful elite schools on both the county and state levels.  Just this past fall the soccer team went all the way to the state semi-finals.  As you can imagine, the town and surrounding area went wild with excitement and support, the anticipation growing with each win and march towards the title.

Alas, the Cinderella season in soccer ended at the state semi-final game, where after a tied contest the Blazers lost in the penalty kick tie-breaker, ending their title run.

Many of the boys on that championship team also play basketball, and the mighty Blazers have been on another memorable journey through this year’s basketball season and playoffs.

Like the Hickory Huskers from the movie “Hoosiers”, this plucky group of friends has also reached the semi-finals in the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) 1A division, winning the “West” region title for the state this past Saturday.  To celebrate their return following the victory, the local fire company gave the team bus a rousing escort through town.  As sirens blared, parents lined the streets, honking the horns of their cars as townspeople waved at the students from the front windows of their homes.  Real small town stuff, but it’s easy to get caught up in the joy and excitement, especially when most of the news headlines these days tell of school tragedies or hardships.

Now, the real challenge is upon the Blazers, as their next opponent is might Dunbar High school, the “North” region champions from Baltimore (who have also won the state title an astonishing 15 times).  It will be a real “David vs. Goliath” match-up.  Already, groups of fans and students are planning trips to the massive XFINITY Center (home of the NCAA Maryland Terrapins) this Friday for the semi-final game.

Win or lose, it’s the kind of event that bonds a small town. In the streets, people are smiling, talking about the boys and the upcoming game, and proudly wearing the school colors to show their team, school, and town spirit.  The memories being created this week will last these young men and their families a lifetime.  I have to admit, I’m caught up in the excitement as well (it is my alma mater, after all).

So, good luck, Clear Spring!  Go Blazers!

Enjoy your moment in the sun.

I’ll be cheering for you this week, proudly wearing my blue and gold as I am out and about.