The date has been marked on the calendar for weeks. This was the big one. The big soccer game versus the high school from the town we used to live in (the one hubby and I grew up in!) After having to miss the last game against this archrival school, teenage son was especially eager to play this game.
The stakes were higher for this game, though, than the last. This game was for the Bernard Cup. The Bernard Cup trophy travels to the school of the winning team for the year, until the next game. The "cup" game is played in memory of Charles Bernard, a soccer-loving Claremont man who died young. His brother, Ray, coached many seasons of soccer at Stevens high school several years ago. Ray is a personal friend of our family, and this year agreed to step back into his coaching role as Assistant Coach of the Boys Varsity Soccer team, giving this year's "cup" game deeper significance for the boys on the field.
And did they play! Any game between these two high schools tends to be very physical and high intensity. Tonight was no exception. The opposing team tends to get really excited for this game, displaying high adrenaline, strange, colorful haircuts (what does that have to do with soccer?)and much emotion. Our boys met their intensity (without the weird hair...mostly) and raised them an adrenaline rush or two. It was a hard fought, physically demanding battle. In the end, Stevens came out on top 2-1! The Bernard Cup was coming home to Claremont!
Coach Bernard and many family members crowded around the team bench after the game celebrating. Hugs, tears, pictures, more hugs, handshakes, and congratulations abounded. It was an emotional time for the Bernard family and the boys were proud to be able to provide them with that moment.
Teenage son had a great game..."the game of his life"...as one parent said to him. The celebrating continued on the ride home when police cruisers and firetrucks met us at the city limits and led a parade of the team and spectator busses and fans and parents in a long line of cars throughout Claremont with lights flashing and sirens and horns blaring the good news! What a sight! What a great night for the boys! I know it is one they will never forget.
