The [tag]Cubs[/tag] are 1 1/2 games ahead of the second-place brewers and four games ahead of the Redbirds.

The Woodruff High School Warriors, in their season opener, beat the East Peoria Raiders 55-0.

This may be a sign of a apocalypse.

PUH-lease. People who’ve seen both Richwoods AND Woodruff play in person give the Warriors the edge in the matchup. The Warriors have all the tools this year and anyone who thinks a Richwoods victory is a forgone conclusion (as does the JS apparently, considering the the loving attention they heap on the Knights) just isn’t paying attention to the revolution going on in the 1800 block of Northeast Perry.

And I have never, ever, ever been of divided loyalties regarding which high school I root for.

Eat ‘em up, Warriors! Northside pride!

[tags]Woodruff High School,Woodruff Warriors,Richwoods[/tags]

PHS fielded a team comprised almost entirely of underclassmen. If these kids stay interested in football — and get bigger — they will be in a good position two years from now, if not next year.

I’m curious, though, as to why the team walked off the field at the end of the game, refusing to shake hands with the Warriors, who were litterally left waiting at the 50 years line. Did they believe that Coach Tim Thornton was running up the scrore? Were the Lions just sore about losing their homecoming game by such a lopsided margin?

One thing is certain, the officiating crew from Pekin certainly stunk up the place. I haven’t seen so many yellow flags since I covered Tolono Unity High school. At times, It’s as if they tossed flags and then had to meet to get their stories straight. They also tossed quite a few for “unsportsmanlike conduct” while the teams were huddling between snaps and weren’t in contact with each other. Unless there are f-bombs going back and forth, football players have to be allowed to express emotion.

UPDATE: The “dead tree” version of the JS article mentions the walk-off ny Central, but not the Web sersion … hmmmmm.

[tags]Woodruff High School,football,Peoria High School,Peoria,Woodruff Warriors[/tags]

I’m trying to convince the Walker Clan — Rob and Angie — to meet up with me at the stadium. They are Central grads, I believe, and I want to gloat after the inevitible Woodruff victory.

[tags]Woodruff High School,football,Warriors[/tags]

I almost decided to not go to anything associated with the reunion. Oh, I had all the usual reasons. My job isn’t the most spectacular, and I didn’t want to look like a loser to all these other people I competed against in high school.

And I was nervous about running into any of the girls on whom I had a crush. I was really bad about that. At least once a semester, I’d develop a crush on some unsuspecting girl and follow her around like a puppy. All it woduld take was her smiling at me, or having a friendly word or two. It was quite embarrassing and noticeable. I think I’m better at such things these days, but I didn’t want old habbits to resurface. Yet, I still wanted to catch up.

But in the end, the chance to meet up with old friends was too tempting and I went anyway. I missed the 20-year bash and I regretted it.

Woodruff High School had cliques like every other high school. I don’t think they were as pronounced there as they were at schools at which I’ve taught as a sub or I’ve covered as a reporter.

For the most, that nonsense melted away. I mean, Jesus, who cares who snubbed who in the hallway 25 years ago. Were there still some folks who didn’t spend any time talking to people outside their social strata? A couple.

There were some interesting conservations. At one point, someone tried to tell me I wasn’t considered a nerd back then, just creative. My only real interest back then was photography. I ran the freekin’ video camera for the wrestling team. I was on the stage crew. Somewhere, someone has a pic of me wearing a pocket calculator in a case attached to my belt.

Please. I was a nerd. Don’t yank my chain.

I’m a nerd now. How many alpha males do you know who blog a couple hours a day? Not many.

Speaking of blogging, not one person there mentioned ANYTHING about knowing that I run Peoria Pundit. One mentioned that he had heard me on the radio. I was just fine with that. I barely mentioned the site, cause I didn’t want to spend the whole evening explaining blogging to middle aged peoeple.

I spent most of my time talking to folks who attended Glen Oak School with me. Touching base with people I’ve know all my life, kids from the neighborhood, left me feeling … settled, I guess. I felt happy with my place in the universe. There’s something about being among people who knew you when, and whom you just just as well. There’s no pretense possible.

I was shocked at how many of these folks still live in Peoria, but whom I never talk seem to run into or socialize with. That’s gotta change. I’ll be starting a new Web site with a message board for the Class of 1981 (and others) to trade emails and messages. Details later.

And the girls on who I crushed? None of them showed up last night. Oh, there were girls I had little minor crushes on (who shall remain nameless) but no with whom I was seriously in puppy-dog love. Maybe tonight.

I’ll wear by best calculator pouch, just in case.

[tags]Woodruff High School,reunion[/tags]