Published: August 29, 2008 11:39 pm            

Bluefield rivals face off

BLUEFIELD — In the parking lot outside Mitchell Stadium a carnival for the senses was ever present. The aroma of burgers on the grill was pungent in the air, and the excitement of people from the two Bluefields was ever present.

And that was two hours before kickoff.

Friday night marked the latest installment of a Bluefield tradition known simply as a high school football game between Bluefield and Graham. People came from miles around and from all over the East Coast to attend the spectacle of color and pageantry at Mitchell Stadium.

But this event with more than just an opportunity to see two of the area’s best high school football teams. It was a chance for people to connect and reconnect, no matter which side of the stadium they sat on.

In the parking lot, several awnings were erected where people could tailgate and communicate with people that in many cases they have not seen in years. Under one such awning, a group of the Graham High School Class of 1998 was gathered prior to the game.

Kim Long-Barnes was a member of the Class of ‘98. Now she is a manager for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.

“It’s really exciting,” Long-Barnes said. “We’ve having a 10-year reunion and it’s really nice to get back with all the old classmates and see how everybody is doing and root on the G-Men.”

Long-Barnes would know something about rooting on the G-Men. In high school, she was a cheerleader. But Friday night marked her first Beaver-Graham game in nine years and it brought back pleasant memories.

She said she felt a, “a very good reminiscing feeling of good times at Graham and good times at the stadium.”

Todd French felt that feeling as well. The Methodist minister now living in Norton, Va., also graduated from Graham in ‘98.

“I am excited to see all of my friends from yesteryear,” French said. “It’s like family, man, a family reunion.”

For French, this annual contest was ingrained in his blood.

“I’ve never missed one and don’t plan to miss one,” French said. “I’ve been coming to this thing ever since I was four years old, (since) 1984 I’ve been coming.”

A few yards down the Bluefield High School Class of 1977 was holding a similar gathering under a similar awning. Tammy Simmons has had her share of jobs and lived in her share of places, but for her there is nothing like this event.

“It’s a wonderful event and it brings back memories from childhood from a little girl on through high school and obviously in my adult life,” Simmons said.

This game also represents for her a trip to the fountain of youth.

“It’s almost like going back in time because you have so much school spirit,” Simmons said. “You get into the game and it’s like you’re back in high school again.”

While Simmons, a Bluefield resident, did not have far to travel, Steve Hopkins came all the way from Grantham, N.H. to attend this game. The member of the BHS Class of ‘77 relished this opportunity to connect with a place where he grew up.

“It’s coming home,” Hopkins said. “There’s nothing like this in New Hampshire or North Carolina, Louisiana, Ohio, all places that I’ve lived in the last 31 years so it’s a real experience.”

In addition to getting to see the place that he grew up, Hopkins also loved the opportunity to see his fellow classmates.

“It’s a reunion with the people you grew up with, your family, your friends, and it’s simply coming home,” Hopkins said.

Inside, the noise and energy was getting revved up. Program and souvenir vendors were ever present on both sides of the stadium anxious to sell spirit trinkets to anyone that would buy.

As the stadium filled up, a sense of quiet anticipation filled the air. Kickoff was imminent.

For the fans at Mitchell Stadium, it was an opportunity to further a tradition that had begun long ago and to see what new heroes would write their names in the history books.

It was all part of an event that transcends generations.

— Contact Jed Lockett

at jlockett@bdtonline.com

        

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