It was like the first day of camp, all over again, and Mother Nature did her best to cooperate with a glorious Maine morning.  The boys from both sides (Sky I and II) were running all over the place well before Reveille.  Red or Gray?  Everyone wanted to know who was on which team, what color shirt to wear (not that it matters), what’s our first activity and …. do we have to have inspection today (of course we do)?  An incredible vibe was felt from our youngest seven-year-olds all the way up to the Stars who drafted them.  Hugs and high-fives galore, and all well before the annual breakfast special that kicks off Color War week – the infamous Red & Gray Buffet!

After breakfast and inspection, the anticipation had reached a fever pitch waiting for the call on the PA system – Gray Team to the Pine Grove, Red Team to the Mailhouse.  Captains Joaquin and TI gathered their teams for the first time, for the first of several “psych-up” meetings meant to bring unity and inspiration to their squads.  A few minutes later, Shep called all participants to the Fred Pierce Field, where, as tradition dictates, everyone would watch the first inning of the Stars Softball game before heading out to venues all over camp for their own divisional contests. 

Shortly after meeting with the Captains on the field and the ceremonial first pitch thrown by our multi-talented Challenge Course Director Trout, we were all ready for the call.  Umpire Shep bellowed “PLAY BALL”, and Color War 2026 was off and running.

And it didn’t take long for Gray to make an early statement as Thomas L went deep in the bottom of the first to give Gray the lead.  Then in the 5^th, Gray clean-up slugger LA Coop looked like Babe Ruth and broke it open, crushing a monstrous 3-run shot high and deep into the forest behind the right field fence that proved to be the game winner. And that was just the start……

Elsewhere, the Cubs/Lions were in the Rink for a pair of Hockey games.  In Game 1, Gray’s Porter completed a hattrick by scoring with 10 seconds left to forge a 3-3 tie.  But in the 2^nd Game, Alex B scored twice in Red’s 3-1 win, giving Red its first full point of Color War.   In Freshmen Hoops, Max H and Alex D starred on the upper court, while Red’s defense dominated on the lower court to sweep both games for Red.

In an extremely well-played Juniors Soccer game over on the Hejduk at Sky II, it took a pair of 1^st half goals by Nadal to offset a skillful Gray offense and hold them off for a 2-2 draw and spit the point.  Down at Trickey Pond, there are 3 elements to the Waterfront activity – swim races, kayak races and waterskiing.  Gray paddled and swam just a bit faster (with a late rally in the 100-yd free relay) to win 2 of the 3 and secure the Seniors Waterfront point.

The most exciting contest this morning came from Tigers Football.  Everett K had dominated the Rec Hall Field game on defense with 2 first half “Pick Sixes” leading the Red to victory, setting them up for a big morning. But on the Bunkline gridiron in front of a packed sideline full of spectators, Gray came roaring back to take an early 4^th quarter lead.  Five lead changes in the 4^th quarter alone had the crowd in a frenzy as time ticked toward the finish.  When the clock hit :00 as Gray was driving for a potential game-winning TD, the Red constituency stormed the field to celebrate a thrilling 53-50 triumph….and give Red the lead as we all headed to lunch.

The boys, rejuvenated from lunch and a much-needed rest hour, once again gathered as a team before hitting the fields, courts and Trickey this afternoon.  Gray made some quick noise with a boisterous victory, a whitewash in Seniors bocce, and closed the Red out on sand (in the Gaga pit!).  Red bounced right back, though, with a dominant performance by their lineup in Seniors Golf.

Down on the Pond, our littlest guys showed how much they’ve improved this summer with some outstanding performances both in and on the water – but in the end, Red was just a little faster and won Cubs/Lions Waterfront. In Juniors Lacrosse over at the Hejduk, Gray scored early and took a 3-goal lead into halftime, then settled in and cruised to a 7-4 victory.  Elliot R and Wyatt N led the way with 5 goals between them for Gray.

Freshmen Tennis also went Gray’s way, but with a bit of suspense.  They held a slight edge after the individual matches were played, then watched their teammates protect that lead with some clutch rallies in the skills competition. Over at the Rink, the Sophomores split a pair of games, and the point. Matthew M hit the back of the net 4 times in Red’s Game 1 win, but Gray prevailed in a 2-1 dogfight in Game 2 to spit the point.

The Bunkline field hosted this afternoon’s Football contest and as usual, the oldest kids flashed their wares, showing speed, versatility and lots of pass-catching talent.  The two Captains played QB and had little problem directing their respective offenses or dissecting the opposing defenses.  Too much talent on one side of the ball led to a most exciting high-scoring affair that fittingly ended in a 48 all tie, splitting the Stars Football point.

It seems like this could be the Tigers year for high-drama contests, because like this morning’s football clash, this afternoon’s Baseball game had boisterous spectators hinging on every pitch.  Once again most of the other activities had ended, so these Tigers were under the microscope of the largest crowd of the day, with Gray clinging to the lead. But this was the Theo Q show as he homered in the first inning, then pitched brilliantly with great support behind him to polish off a complete game shutout – and another point for Gray.

Incredibly, just a point separates the teams as we looked forward to the final event of Day 1 – tonight’s always popular Ping Pong competition.  Surrounded by teammates in the Table Tennis Bowl (aka the Pavilion), the night rocked with music and competitive fun.  The docket showed 21 matches to be played, 3 in each Division – first one to win 11 matches gets the point.  And it took quite a while, but finally, Asher N closed it out for Gray.

Talk about even … fair ? Amazing! After 17 contests filled with action and excitement in a long Day 1, we are deadlocked – the score is tied!

Stay tuned… this is looking to be quite a week!