The boys, rested and ready after Opening Day’s whirlwind of PM activity, awakened to a glorious, bright Maine morning. Red had made an early statement, and Gray was anxious to respond.
“Gray Team to the Pine Grove, Red Team to the Mailhouse” was heard over the PA just after breakfast and regular morning bunk Inspection. Captains Harry and Will brought their troops together for this morning’s “psyche up” meetings in advance of taking the fields and courts all over camp. Encircled by their teammates with arms linking the youngest members with their older brethren, each team’s leaders challenged their group. For Red, an acknowledgement of their success on Day 1, but they wanted more. “Keep the pressure on! Our opponents will not roll over!” Gray’s message was a bit different. “We may be down, but now it’s our time! Let’s dig a little deeper, we can do this!” Both urged their teammates to give it their all, to play smart and composed, to try as hard as possible, and do so with the same SkySportsmanship as they have all summer long. Win or lose, if they gave their absolute best effort, both were confident that doing so would translate into victory. “Bring it in!” the leaders yelled as each team squeezed together with hands raised and roared - Red! Gray! And off they went.
Gray drew closer in the morning activities. The Cubs/Lions Basketball point was decided on Sky II just over at the Gym. Red held on to win by 3 on the upper court as Gray survived a last second shot that rolled around the rim and out at the buzzer to win by 1. But in the Gym, Gray’s size dominated Game 3 to win the point.
On the Hejduk, the Freshmen Laxers played a very tough, hard-fought contest. Although Elliot (twice) and Myles F (his first ever) ripped the back of the net for Gray , two goals each by James and Eli W fueled Red ‘s win, 5-3. Then came news from down at the Pond that Gray swept the Swim, Ski and Boat competition to win Juniors Waterfront.
In Sophomores Football, Sam P was a superstar today, running, passing and defending in leading Gray to victory in a high-scoring affair, 45-34. But on the Fred Pierce Field, Red bounced back with an 8-1 win, led by Noah K and Jared F. In Stars Tennis, Gray Stars served and volleyed their way to victory to get back on the comeback track.
The most excitement of the morning took place at the Rink, where the Tigers played a trio of games. Matthew had a hattrick in Gray’s Game 1 dominant win before Alex S hit the net twice for Red to win Game 2. Game 3 found the rest of the campers in attendance, with all other activities completed. The Arena was packed and loud. Both teams had several breakaway chances to take the lead. But stellar brick-wall performances by both netminders, Spencer S for Gray and Luke P for Red thwarted every opportunity, ending in a scoreless tie to split Tigers Hockey.
As the boys headed to lunch, a bit of rest and the first Songs and Cheers rehearsal (more on that later), Gray had cut into Red’s lead.
And they kept on coming …. The afternoon results came quickly when the Gray Freshmen answered their very tough morning Lacrosse loss, making short work of the Red down at the Snow Field, 7-1 in Freshmen Soccer. The other Soccer game was played over at the Hejduk, where the Gray Stars also won 4-1. When word came from down at Trickey that Gray had won their 4th straight Waterfront point, this time by the Tigers, it was “game on!”
The comeback seemed to continue when Max B returned the opening kick-off for an amazing TD dash, twisting and turning through the entire Red defense. But Red kept their composure, settled down and took control to win Seniors Football by a couple of touchdowns. Gray’s momentum was stopped….at least temporarily.
A double-header in Cubs/Lions Lacrosse at Sky1 showed us once again what we have to look forward to. The equipment itself is bigger than some of the players, but they battled on, splitting a pair of very close games. The results of both contests remained in doubt well into the 4th quarter, exciting the kids and many of their counselors, who just love to watch these little guys compete.
In a bit of an upset on the Hejduk Diamond, Gray jumped out to an early lead, then watched it begin to evaporate as Red mounted a last inning rally. Red went to the bullpen and found their closer when Miles M took the mound and shut the door, preserving the 6-3 win in Sophomores Baseball.
On the Hoops courts, the Juniors showed why our incredible Staff of ballers labeled them as our best Basketball Division. Two fantastic, well-played games on the upper and lower courts put the skills of so many on display. Red won one game 35-30 as Gray took the other 31-27. Again, we’d let the boys in the Gym settle it, where Gray won in a blowout to take Juniors Basketball. Comeback complete and then some....
Over 20 games in a day, and there’s only a few points difference in the score. That’s been typical of Skylemar Color War for the past 76 years. Wondering why? It’s because we leave the picking of the teams to the fifteen year-old Captains and their Lieutenants. No adult involvement whatsoever. It’s a tradition that works.
Movie night to chill out a bit before we go right back at it tomorrow. Stay tuned….
