It was like the first day of camp. By 6 AM kids were up and out of the cabin, sharing which team they were on. “I’m on Red!”…“I’m on Gray!” Excitement was in the air everywhere! And what a beautiful, bright sunny Maine day it was!
But first, our annual Red and Gray Buffet for breakfast. What a spread! Just what’s needed to boost their energy for an exciting day ahead. After the usual morning routine (inspection, etc.), the PA blared, “Red Team to the Mailhouse! Gray Team to the Pine Grove!”
Both teams gathered for their first of several “psych up” meetings that they’ll have throughout the week. That’s when the teams link up and encircle their Captains and Stars leaders. It’s a fever pitch - think loud music, lots of chanting and cheering, with the oldest guys yelling messages of maximum effort and team unity at decibel levels unheard of ‘til now.
Everyone to the Fred Pierce Field for the official opening of Color War 2025!
Both teams watched the first inning of the Stars Softball game, the traditional start of every Skylemar Color War since 1948. After Shep brought the Captains to the field for some last minute instructions, the Gray team took the field as Shep bellowed “Play ball!”. The honor of the ceremonial first pitch was given to Paige, our do-it-all Waterfront specialist, who threw a perfect strike! After the 1st inning, each Division moved to their specific venue for their morning contests.
The Gray Stars got the juices flowing early though. Not only did Luke S jump on the first pitch he saw with a blast into the right field trees in the bottom of the first, he followed up with a grand slam in the 3rd giving Gray a 5-run lead. But Red battled back within a run, before leaving the bases loaded in their final at bat to succumb 7-6.
The Seniors were down at Trickey Pond where the Red team swam, kayaked and skied just a little faster than Gray to win the Waterfront point. In Juniors Soccer over at Sky II’s Hejduk Field, goalies David G and Orlando were stellar in the nets before Max P slipped a shot by late in a very tight, well-played game for a 1-0 Gray win.
Over on the links, Sophomore Golfers displayed some real talent in splitting their matches, while in the Bocce Theatre, Gray dominated in the first of 7 matches to come. The Tigers split a pair of games (and the point) in Football. Mac (R) and Leo (G) both had a “pick 6” on the Bunkline field won by Gray, while Shay led the charge for Red on the Rec Hall gridiron.
The Freshmen also split a pair of B-ball games on the hoops courts and left it up to those at the Gym in Game 3 to decide it. On the upper court, Pablo and Spencer were a tough tandem for Red, although Owen S put up a heroic effort in defeat. Grady A and Mason answered by leading Gray to a victory on the lower court. But over at Sky II, Bud dominated to win the Basketball point for Red.
But the most exciting contest this morning was down at the Hockey rink, where our littlest guys, as they seem to every year, provided our most thrilling finish. And it took three games to settle it. Ari B and Billy G scored in a 2-0 win for Red in the first game of a triple-header, then Porter tallied a hat-trick to lead Gray to a 4-0 Game 2 victory. By the time Game 3 began, all other morning contests were complete, so most of the participants from all over camp had converged to the rink to watch our youngest group battle it out for the Cubs/Lions Hockey point. After a scoreless 1st period, Red’s Junior scored in the 2nd to take a slim lead to the 3rd. But 6 goals later -- another by Junior and a pair by Alex B for Red, not to mention 3 late tallies by Gray – and Red barely held on for an edge-of-your-seat 4-3 win. In a wild celebration, the Red supporters heaped all kinds of love on their youngest teammates, and took a ½ point lead into the Pavilion for lunch.
After the meal and rest hour, the teams again gathered for pre-game “psych up” meetings, freshly rejuvenated to go at it again. Back and forth all afternoon, all over camp they went. As you will see, this one looks to be as evenly matched as ever.
This time, the little guys headed to the Waterfront where Gray won the Swim and Boating elements to carry the point. The Juniors went back to the Hejduk, where Red bounced back from their tough loss in Soccer this morning to win 13-8 behind the division’s top laxer, Brooks.
The Red then picked up a ½ point in the Bocce Garden, but Gray Seniors won Golf at the Links. On the Tennis courts, Tennis Director Ted witnessed the most exciting finish of his decade+ of Color War action. After the Freshmen split 3 singles and doubles matches on both surfaces (hardcourts and clay), the Skills competition on the Har-Tru at Sky II would settle it. The final tally was so close, Ted had to check and double check his score sheet, confirming Gray’s 127-124 win in a contest of strokes and accuracy. Wow!
Gray Tigers also won Baseball on the Freddie Pierce, 6-1 behind the pitching and hitting of Morgan. The Sophomores split a doubleheader at the Hockey rink. Red won 4-0 in Game 1, but Gray returned the favor with a shutout of their own, 2-0 in the 2nd behind a pair of goals by Myles F to split Sophs Hockey.
The Stars then lit up the scoreboard, although Red was unstoppable in an 80-56 rout. Carson found himself in the middle of 8 total TDs (passing, running and a “pick 6” to boot). What an offensive show!
This War is already shaping up to be a good one, as only a point separates the teams after a full day of activity on the fields, courts, and Pond. Tonight’s Ping Pong competition, with another point up for grabs, will tell us who, if either team, will sleep on the lead.
And apparently, it’s neither – Red won Ping Pong and after Day 1, we’re all tied up!
