The Big Game

We went into the game rested and ready, but not ready enough. We had just come out of a 3-0 win against Putney so we were fired-up. We didn’t let our guard down like you may have expected, our offense wasn’t as capable as usual.
Our team isn’t known for comebacks, so we try to score early on and stay on top. From the beginning to the end our defense held up wonderfully. Only once did the other team come close to scoring. Our goalie got knocked over and lost control of the ball. They kicked it, it bounced off the first post then went in, but the referee called a foul. We went into overtime, then double overtime, without a score.
After both over times we went into penalty kicks. We won the toss and went first. The ball was kicked, a miss, over the top. I knew we weren’t ready for this. Now it’s their turn. They slammed it at our goalies hands, it sailed through and into the goal. Our turn again. The kick was and went straight to the goalie. Their up. The kick sailed to the far right, too fast for our goalie to react. They're up, 2-0. Our next shot sailed to the far right corner. Their next kick blew by our goalie. It was over in 3 kicks.
We have lost to Charlestown 2 years in a row. The only thing I regret is not asking to take a p-k. I might not have made it, but I would have tried my hardest. Our great game into a big 3-0 loss.

Cats are bad for me
I do not like cats at all
Cats scare me badly

This seems familiar
I have seen this before
I cant believe I hit that door

If I was the president of the United States I would address the major issue of global warming. In present day America many people believe in this global warming and a hole in the Ozone layer. The truth is that these believers, mostly democrats, are mistaken. The Earth has had elevated temperatures in the past, it is all a part of the Earths cycle.

People cheering,
Seats packed,
Everyone on their toes,
Waiting, anticipating,
The big hit.

The pitcher turns the ball in her hands,
Uneasy on the mound.
Can she strike out the hitter
or will the ball be out of the park.

"Well this is it, so give it your all."
But most of all keep your eye on the ball.
Concentrate.
Blur out the people and focus on the the ball.

Tanner Pratt
Rochester 7 grade
Mr. Parsons The Big Game

I’ve never had a game that really stands out to me until last year during basketball season.

The CYO Championships
Lindsey LeBeau
I walked into the gym, unaware of the events to come.
It smelled a bit like sweat; my guess from the previous game.
My heart raced, my hands shook, and my stomach was full of knots.
I dropped my bag with a thud, and quickly put on my sneakers;
hopelessly awaiting the buzzer to ease the tension.

One day when I was sleeping in my room with the blistering sun beaming down on me I dreamt about the W.N.B.A. Sparks vs. Mystics. In the third courter in a blistering sweat I woke up. “Mom, mom I really want to go to the W.N.B.A. game it’s the season opener!” I yelled in my crackling voice “No way I don’t have thirty-five bucks kicking around” my mother yelled back.

The game known as “Trouble” lives up to its name in our house hold, in many different ways. Playing games that need to consistently make the most annoying sound possible to function seems to be an obsession of my sister’s. Among her favorites are Ker Plunk, Boggle, Bop-it, Popcorn, and of course, Trouble.

The game known as “Trouble” lives up to its name in our house hold, in many different ways. Playing games that need to consistently make the most annoying sound possible to function seems to be an obsession of my sister’s. Among her favorites are Ker Plunk, Boggle, Bop-it, Popcorn, and of course, Trouble.

The Big Game

By Meta Bergwal
Lebanon High School, Grade 12

It was the biggest game of the year. If we lost this one we would be done for the season. When we found out who we were playing it made the game 10 times bigger -- we were playing our biggest rival, Hanover High School.

As the day came we all were incredibly nervous, but excited as well. In the locker room before the game the captains told us, "Whatever you do, leave everything you have out on that ice." During the regular season, we had lost badly to Hanover, but the moment the game began we could see that this game would be different. Back and forth it went, until the very end of the game.

With only five minutes left and the score tied, we were excited beyond imagining. Then tragedy struck: With less then a minute left Hanover scored and then won the game.

In the locker room everyone was devastated, but one thing everyone knew was that we had left everything we had out on the ice. Our captains told us how proud they were of us; that made it all the better. Although it would have been amazing to win the game, this was probably the best game we have ever played. I will never forget it.

By Sossina Gutema
Essex Middle School, Grade 7

People cheered. The occasional loud voice cut through the mull of the others, and words became decipherable. Go get it! I toyed distractedly with my mouth guard, the slightly wet plastic smooth where my teeth had worn it down. Half time had passed ages ago, I didn’t have a watch, they weren’t allowed, but the game couldn’t possibly continue much longer.

The Big Game

By Tim Lyons
Rice Memorial High School, Grade 9

Some love the game
While others do not
Some get to play
Others are just onlookers
Some just follow what they are told
By the leaders that give orders
On offense some do best
Others are always defending
Some try to win
And some only play to look good
With all their dazzle and flash

The Crimson Tide

by Ari Adams
Charlotte Central School - Grade 5

It all started at the Buccaneer's home field. We were winning 26-0. I was a corner back. My team, the Crimson Tide, ran a 45 toss. My heart was pounding as I ran as hard as I could. I almost tackled the runner, but he was running so fast that he got the touchdown.

The Race of My Life

By Halie Lange
Brattleboro Area Middle School, Grade 7

Is there one person in your life that seems to always be better or stand out more? Well for me there has. Sarah always beats me in everything. We both ski, and she gets first and I get second; same thing every time. I have many boxes full of red second place ribbons and medals. It seems that no matter how hard I try, she always comes out on top. At our last ski race, she beat me by three seconds. The next race is at my home course and I want to win more than ever.

“1, 2, 3, Grizzles!” we yell, then break our huddle, grab soccer balls, and take practice goal shots. Everyone was in one big, snaking line on the field. We were in Greenfield, playing the Cougars in the New England Soccer Championships.

.
All I can hear
Heart thumping
A deafening beating
Inside my head.
All I can feel
Is the stick in my hands,
Cradling the ball,
And my legs
Straining to accelerate
All I can think of
Is the net ahead.
A defender in the way,
Nothing
That would stop my
Determination.
To win.
To play.

The team is anxious,
The game will be upon them.
Will they be victors?

I hear it:
The sound of the crowd.
I see it:
The lights are becoming blinding.
I feel it:
The rush of adrenalin is pulsing.
Is everything ready?
Tonight’s the night.
Tonight is the night that we win;
The night that we understand;
The night that we become who we say we are.
Tonight is the night that we take the step onto the stage and dazzle,
Enchant,
Scare,
Promise,
Become.

Its finally here, it’s come at last,
Its time to play, I must be fast,
This is it, it’s my big game,
That all I get, one shot at fame.

MONOPOLY!

By Sean Bjornsson
Woodstock Union High School, Grade 10

Who wants to play Monopoly???
I do, I do!
I’m the car!
I call the cannon!
Dibbs on the hat!!
I call real-estate agent!!
Who wants to be banker?
I don’t
Not me
Let’s make Dad do it
Sounds great
And we’re off
Around and around
Pass go, collect $200!
Can I trade you this for that with $300?
Nope
I got a monopoly!
Starting to see houses
Starting to get dangerous to land on the left side of the board
Oh man, hotels, I really hope I don’t land on one of those
Oh noooooo! I don’t want to go to jail!!
Now I have to go through the hotel row of death
I made it! I’m alive! Halleluiah!
FREE PARKIN!!!!!! YESSSS
Oh man, he landed on Pennsylvania Ave., with a hotel…..BANKRUPT!
Still in the running
Barely scraping by
It’s getting late, almost midnight, been playing for five hours
Still missing the hotels
Bankrupting a person or two myself
Still surviving

Sweaty Palms
Tense Muscles
The heat of the game
Field torn
Cleat marks everywhere
All tied up 2 and 2
Crowds cheer
Teammates yell encouragingly
But they won’t help you now
Seconds tick down
Feet dance in place awaiting the ball
Awaiting to boot it up field
Get it to the midfield or beyond
The ball comes, one quick move
One second to think it all through
One deep breath

The Big Game

Every Second Counts

By Shannon Moriarity
Benson Village School, Grade 8

Your palms are sweaty,
Your vision blurred.
Little butterflies fluttering
In the depths of your stomach.

You cock your head up,
And look at the score.
It’s 33 to 32,
And it’s your team that’s behind.

The ball is in your hands,
The time ticking down…
30 seconds…29…28…
27…26…

You begin to dribble
The knots in your stomach tighten.
19…18…17…
You’re only at half-court.

A defender picks you up,
Concentrated on your moves.
You bounce the ball between your legs,
And you’re past the defense.

6…5…4…
You square up your feet,
And bring the ball to your chest.
You jump, releasing the ball…

2…1…
The ball kisses the rim,
And falls through the net.
Score!

The cold air burned my hot lungs as we took our lap around the field. Two by two we ran, supporting each other: showing the opposing side what really made a team. Even though our cleats dug deep into the grass and dirt below us, we felt as if we were flying.

They’re even,
Neck and neck.
Arms in sync
With every stroke
Sending up a spray
Of water.
Each one
Taking only a few
Gasping breaths
And trying to pull
With as much force
As they can.
“This is what I’ve been training for”
They both tell themselves
And try to pull just a little more,
Kick just a little harder.
For this is the moment
Where they can shine

The Stowe Duals

By Conner Gorman
Charlotte Central School, Grade 5

I’m in the gate. I’m so nervous my goggles are fogged up. The clock counts down, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, go! I’m off, all I can think about is, “Skate, skate, skate, glide.” Here comes the first gate, “Crack, shhhwissshhh! I hit the gate and glide around it. Now here’s the second gate. As I go by, I see the crowd, and it fuels me to finish. The third and fourth go by just like the first two. I hit the jump and get really nervous. Am I going to make it? Yes!! I make it. Now, only eight more gates. It looks really icy, can I do it? Will I fall? Will I win? Then I see my friends and think, “It really doesn’t matter about my time because I’m new to the sport, and I’m having fun. It doesn’t even matter if I fall, I can get back up and finish.” I summon up all my strength and finish. In the end, all that really mattered was that I tried and I had fun.

The Sack

Nathan Tyler Barcomb
Brattleboro Area Middle School, Grade 7

Every Friday night I suit up
Wondering how I will do.

As I stare into the dark eyes of that left tackle,
I know he is the only thing standing in between me and my glory.
Silence for a moment.
The ball is snapped,
I hear nothing but pads and helmets bashing together.

I throw my man down and see my goal

Submitted by: Tupper Hinsdale
Grade 6, Charlotte Central School

Prompt: The Big Game
Deadline: December 5 2007

The Big Game
Ten seconds left
Tied game
Up front
The pass
Break away
The shot
Score!
We are the champs!