Moving Day. In the Golf world, it’s the day of jockeying for position – putting yourself within striking distance of the lead for that final push to the top on the last day of the event. In our world, it’s the 4th day of Color War – where the team that’s ahead tries to cement its position on top, and the chaser pulls out all the stops to keep the lead in sight and stands ready to pounce when opportunity knocks. Tonight’s Songs and Cheers competition would provide that opportunity. But before we got there, here’s what happened on the fields, courts and in the water today…
The Red Cubs swept a pair of Football games, then followed up with a dominating win in Sophomores Tennis. Gray, resilient as ever, responded in kind with a big win in Tigers Lacrosse and another in Stars Golf to keep it close.
In the Bocce Garden’s most exciting match of the week, Gray held 2-0 and 4-3 leads (needing 5 to win), before Red came back with some deftly placed shots with the match on the line to eke out a 5-4 Stars Bocce win.
Gray came right back again by stroking their way to a Freshmen Waterfront victory down at Trickey and were poised to make their move. But again, Red pushed back, winning Juniors Softball on the Fred Pierce Field, 7-2, then watched outstanding goalkeeper Jacob N make one spectacular save after another to preserve a 2-0 shutout victory in Seniors Soccer over at the Hejduk. Red continued to hold on as we headed for lunch, but Gray was lurking….
After lunch, then another chance for the teams to polish up their show for tonight’s critical Songs and Cheers (and a bit of needed R&R time in the bunks as well), the boys went right back out to do battle again.
And battle they did…right down to the final whistle of the afternoon. Red continued to set the tone with afternoon wins in Cubs Soccer, Freshmen Baseball and Juniors Golf and Bocce. But not only was Gray undeterred, they rattled off victories in Tigers Tennis, both Sophomores Lacrosse games and Seniors Basketball.
With most activities complete, many of the teams’ participants found themselves camped out around a triple-header of Stars Hockey action at the Rink, a Stanley Cup atmosphere around our biggest guys. The teams had split the first two games, leaving Stars Hockey and the afternoon’s results hanging on every slapshot, breakaway or save…. until finally, with just 5 seconds to go, Harry H netted the game winner, giving Gray the afternoon and the momentum they sought as we headed to Songs and Cheers.
The impact of tonight’s performances could not be ignored with 8 full points at stake - enough to alter the entire complexion of this Color War, as it has numerous times over the past 73 years. It’s a night which bears the fruit of many long hours of preparation and 6 rehearsal sessions, culminating in what each team hopes will be a performance for the ages.
There are 6 requirements in the set, each weighted (not equally) to make up the 8 available points... a Team Cheer, Camp Cheer, Team Fight Song, Old Camp Song, Original Camp Song and Production Number.
Dressed appropriately in team colors, both teams brought the same emotional intensity to the stage as they’ve shown us all week. The boys poured their hearts out, singing proudly (and loudly), hoping to impress Judges Barney, Blake and Matisi…first the Gray, followed by Red. Somehow, they overcame the vocal strain of the past 4 days and gave us two memorable performances. When it was all over, Shep announced the judges’ final scoring decision, 4 ½ - 3 ½ in favor of Red.
The finish line was in sight, but this story has plenty left to be told…Stay tuned!
