Jill's Journal: Sixteen years of Pigskin Classics and counting
By:
Jill Meier, Journal editor
This Saturday will mark the 16th Pigksin Classic that this ol’ gal has taken in. And as always, my trusty pal Nikon and I’ll be parading around the high school campus capturing all of the first-game-of-the-season hoopla that begins as the sun is rising and ends long after the sun has set.
For starters, you’re going to want to get up early to reserve your space in the stadium, re-up your Booster Club membership and take part in a the 5K run/walk. Although the registration deadline is today, that is if you want the 2021 version of the Pigskin Classic t-shirt, walkers and runners are still welcome to show up on the day of the race.
There all kinds of activities for the kids, too, from the inflatables set up on the grounds to the always-popular and competitive 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the parking lot.
The Lynx cheerleading program is once again revving up to lead their annual BV Cheer Camp which prepares hundreds of mini-cheerleader-wannabees to stand before the hometown crowd and perform their newly-acquired skills prior to kick-off.
I’ve snapped some of the biggest smiles of pride in these moments.
The Dakota Kid Pedal Pull will also be onsite, and the competition is open to kids ages 4 to 11. The mini-tractors will be hitched up in the parking lot north of the 3-on-3 basketball courts.
If that’s not enough activity for you already, then step inside the Activities Center at the high school that afternoon, where dodge balls will be flying in every direction.
That’s right, kids in grades 7-12 will be competiting from noon to 4 p.m. and there’s sure to be plenty of those “get out of the way” moments to capture there, too.
But that’s not all! (Sounds like one of those TV commercials, doesn’t it!) The Brandon Edge is back to stage their annual Punt, Pass and Kick competition. Kids can register that day at the BVHS Complex and boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 14 will compete starting at 1 p.m.
If you’re a football fan, then you’re going to want to show up early that evening, as Brandon Valley’s fifth and sixth grade Junior League Football teams will be playing in exhibition on the artificial turf.
I can only imagine what a thrill it is for these future Lynx football players to have the opportunity to be playng on the field where their “hometown heroes” will play later that evening.
As always, the Pigskin Classic game ball is scheduled to be presented at 6:40 p.m. followed by kickoff at 7 p.m. between your Brandon Valley Lynx and the newest addition to the MEtro Conference and 11AAA football, the Sioux Falls Jefferson Cavaliers.
It should be a good game, as both BV and Jefferson are coming off victories in their opening week, and both teams will be gunning to keep their early-season win streak in check.
Half-time is another bonus of the Pigskin Classic. We’ll see the Marching Lynx perform their entire fall field show, “Live By the Sword” and once again, the Bly Brothers have donated a pig that will be up for auction.
Once the final second has ticked off of the clock, you can bet this ol’ gal will be tuckered out and ready to put her feet up. But I’ll do so with a smile on my face and memories of yet another successful Pigskin Classic. See you on the sidelines!
