Cheering section

Last night, I traveled to Arlee for the Arlee/Mission volleyball game. I didn’t know what I was in for.
Arlee AD Jim Taylor told me before the game that the two schools were big rivals in volleyball.
I didn’t realize how big.
The games were exciting and had long rallies but I was entertained by the Arlee cheering section that was made up of 50 boys, mostly football players. As the Mission vb team was announced, they all held up newspapers as a form of insult.

Nice gesture. I’ve done it at the Minnesota State High School Hockey tournament with a hundred other students, but no matter the crowd size, it’s still funny to see.
The Arlee cheering section was loud before, during and after the game. It was hard to hear anything anyone near me was saying. It was great. The gym was loud and the atmosphere was intense. I’ve never seen such crowd support at a volleyball game. All five games I have attended.
Every dig was followed with “Can you diiigggg it?” and they even knew the Arlee team’s cheer for an ace.
However, they did have competition.
Five Mission JV volleyball members were decked out in blue and white and had signs. My personal favorite was “Warning: Bulldogs can’t be held responsible for lost or damaged pride.”


The game went for five intense sets and after Arlee pulled off the win, the cheering section got down on their hands and knees, banged the floor and bowed down to the Arlee volleyball players as they headed for their locker room.
Talk about school pride.

Animals around here

So, the last week has been pretty hectic.
I underestimated how many games happen in one week. I have been to more sporting events than I can count. Friday night was particularly busy. I went to Two Eagle River for volleyball, Charlo for football and Arlee for football.
Two Eagle was easy to find before I headed to Charlo. Last time I was at Charlo, I was taking pictures of the football field for a feature. When I was there, a nice golden-colored dog followed me around. I figured it was someone’s dog as the football team was practicing and some people were working on the field. As I went to leave, the dog followed me to my car and sat outside my driver’s door as I started my vehicle. I backed out and the dog followed. I pulled out of the parking lot and the dog followed. I thought maybe it would give up if I upped the speed.
I was wrong.
I got up to 20mph and the dog was sprinting along with my car. Tounge out, wind in the face, legs sprinting. I didn’t want to hit the dog so I slowed down. It might look bad if I hit it. Plus I might have to explain to a small child why Comet went to doggie heaven and I would feel terrible.
At this point we are a mile from the field and I came to realize that this dog might not have an owner and I had to ditch it if I wanted to make it back to Polson. As I was plotting my next move in this chess game, the dog made it’s move. It sped up and started to run in front of my car.
Touche, dog, touche.
Eventually, the dog sped up its speed and I make a quick right turn, increased my speed and left the dog in Charlo. I’m waiting for the dog to use its sense of smell and show up in my backyard. My dad got a huge kick out of the story. Probably because I called him after I made my escape and was panicking.
Back to sports.
The Charlo game was impressive.
Theme of the game: Vikings get ball. Vikings score.
However, I didn’t factor in the other game that was going on. Mosquitos vs. Me.
The whole two months I have been in Montana, I haven’t seen a mosquito. Aimme has been bitten multiple times but the little pests have stayed away from me. Must be the Minnesotan blood.
But at the game, I have never been bit so many times in such a short period of time.
I left after the first quarter when the scores from both games were 46-0 in order to make the trek to Arlee.
I made it to Arlee without getting lost this time and could barely find a spot to park. The place was close to packed.
I’m glad I showed up when I did. It was a great second half, with Arlee winning.
The next morning, I ventured to the Ronan cross country meet. On my way there, three dogs chased my car. At different times. I’m starting to think either the dogs around here are nuts or my car smells like bacon.

Three highlights of the week:
-Charlo qb Chico Stipe scored 4 touchdowns for 24 points, the same amount Charlo’s defense scored in the Vikings 93-6 win on Friday
-Arlee’s defense stopping Granite at the six-yard line
-Ronan runner Justin Dusty Bull finishing the three-mile course in a little over 18 minutes

Upcoming
This week is busier but a majority of the teams are away.
Must-sees:
-Polson boys and girls soccer at home on Friday and Saturday
-Arlee vb against Mission, in Arlee, on Thursday night