Varsity Blues

I joined the football program at Alameda High School as a junior. I wanted to be a running back on JV and score touchdowns. I didn't think about defense at all, but since you had to do defensive practice I always lined up with the defensive backs. Then in practice one day we were doing defensive jump/tip drills, as if you were trying to catch an interception. I went against my brother and ripped the ball from his hands. Later on that day, the Assistant coach came to me and asked if I would be willing to sacrifice playing time to be the 2nd string cornerback on Varsity. [I also switched from running back to wide receiver.] Defense was something that never crossed my mind, but from that day forth I was strictly defense. 3 games into the season, the starting cornerback lost his job and I started the last 6 games! Me, a no-experience Junior wannabe running back, starting for a team that was still ranked #24 in the Bay Area [1992]. I freaked out. We had a collapse that year, and ended up 5-5, and then my senior year we were 3-7.

But this year, something changed. I kept reading the friday night high school results and noticed how Alameda just kept winning and winning. They ended up 9-1, beating Encinal [our rival], El Cerrito [who usually whomps us], Pinole Valley [another strong team] and perennial playoff bound Berkeley [who played De La Salle a couple times for the North Coast Championship.] My alma mater took the league and now we're playing our first playoff game in 25 years at our home field right around the corner from my house.

And that's where I'll be, wearing my ugly old bright gold jersey screaming and cheering like a madman.

Go Hornets!


(sung to the tune of "On Wisconsin" - Univeristy of Wisconsin Madison)
Alameda! Alameda!
Plunge right through that line!
Run the ball clear down the field,
A touchdown sure this time.
Alameda! Alameda!
Fight on for her fame
Fight! Fellows! - fight, fight, fight!
We'll win this game.


Alameda! Alameda!
Stand up, Hornets, sing!
"Forward" is our driving spirit,
Loyal voices ring.
Alameda! Alameda!
Raise her glowing flame
Stand, Fellows, let us now
Salute her name!