…2nd in State!…

We got to leave with the cheerleaders at lunchtime on Friday to make our way to Tacoma. Luckily, the pass was bare & wet, so we had a beautiful trip over.

We checked into our hotel and bee lined for the mall. After getting hit by rush-hour traffic, we were all ready to get out of the car and move around.

We walked into Nordstrom (AHH!) and a lady told the girls, “You girls need to go see Santa – he’s on the 2nd floor.” You would’ve thought they were reenacting Buddy the Elf or something – “SANTA?! HE’S HERE?!”
The very nice lady helping Santa let us take pictures with our own cameras so we didn’t have to buy them. Only at Nordstrom!

We all got some good shopping in and met up again to go to dinner at Red Robin, which has become a cheer tradition.

After dinner, we raced back to the hotel to get some swimming in. They had a lot of fun stunting in the pool and flying the girls that are usually the bases. They even got Melissa to stunt with them!

We got up bright and early Saturday morning to get to the Dome in plenty of time to be able to practice on the field. It was really kind of nice to be the first game of the day!

We got in a few team pictures…

…a few with Eli the Eagle…

Then the football team came out and we were ready to rock and roll!

Our captains ready to flip the coin:
Kraymer, Alan, Bryant, & Rex

The boys being introduced and shaking hands with the Cascade Christian Cougars. Here we go again!

Game time! Here we go Eagles!

Coach Berry giving the play to the guys…

The girls cheered their hearts out. For as successful as our football team is, the crowd sure doesn’t cheer along much. The cheerleaders did a great job keeping the student section on their feet.

We made the first touchdown and from then on, it was back and forth between both teams. Up a touchdown – tied – down a touchdown. It was tied 14-14 at halftime.

During halftime, there are a couple traditions:
1. Two students from each school take around a red bucket for people to put cash and change into for Special Olympics. Paxton and Daniel were our two students last year and did such a good job that they got to do it again this year! And – we won! $371 to 320.

2. Ten students from each school stand on each 10 yard line and toss a football down the field and then up the field. It was a close match, but they called Cascade Christian the winner. I think it could’ve come down to a replay!

Here’s Kellie and other students ready to go:

The cheerleaders did a dance/stunt routine during halftime to “I Gotta Feelin’” by the Black Eyed Peas. They were excited to perform this dance and did a great job!!

Here come the Eagles after halftime! Let’s do this!

The game was so intense and the score continued to go back and forth between the two teams. The cheerleaders *may* have done a .little. more watching than cheering. Who can blame them?!

Great picture of Matt making a touchdown!!

This little Riner didn’t think this week’s game was near as fun since there was no snow!! Nah – just found a good place to watch from!

At the end, we just ran out of time! The final score was 42-35. So close. Such a good competition between the two teams!

Congratulations to Cascade Christian for winning the 1A State Football Championship…

and a HUGE congratulations to the Connell Eagles for 2nd place. Second place may be the hardest to swallow, but it is still a huge accomplishment to even get to play in the Dome!

So proud of these Eagles. They are a great team and were a lot of fun to watch all season. Thanks for the fun ride boys!