After much waiting and anticipation, the Kirk Herbstreit Challenge officially kicked off tonight with Texas High School (they really are named Texas High School) crushing Findlay of Ohio and local Colerain dominating Cardinal O'Hara of Philidelphia.
Before tonight's games we had Cincinnati's famous ribs at the Montgomery Inn for lunch with our friends from St. Xavier. Then we were lucky enough to get a brief tour of the Bengal's Paul Brown Stadium where Chris did an end zone celebration Chad Johnson style while I watched in half bewilderment and half embarrassment as I usually do. We then made a good day a great one by heading over to check out tonight's games at Nippert Stadium.
I can not overstate the excitement that surrounds this event. With so many great programs around the country it is marquee games like these that can put a team on the map. There is also an incredible sense of regional pride among the programs around here. We have talked with ex-players and current students at the Ohio schools who are discussing uniting their student rooting sections for tomorrow's games to form a massive home crowd. The Ohio teams split this evening and if they earn another split tomorrow, I will be the first to say that Ohio's best can play with anyone in the nation.
More importantly the games are fantastic opportunities for all the players who will leave this weekend with lifelong memories. Long after the games are done and players are washed up, like yours truly, it is the good memories and the things they have learned that will stay with them forever.