Michael Pineda
DUNCAN — I have to hand it to Duncan football fans. They are some of the most considerate that I have been around.
On Friday night, as I sit up in the press box with the windows down, they sit below me quietly, allowing me to focus on keeping stats. During the Deer Creek game, I was able to talk with Duncan Athletic Director Burl White and Duncan Assistant Superintendent Larry David with little trouble.
There is only one problem. That is not the way it’s supposed to be. What is supposed to happen, is people are supposed to get off their stadium seats and make some noise. Who knows what would happen if there was not a public announcer to ask people to cheer.
Friday night, the Demons were battling to avoid a two-game losing streak in district. Deer Creek had the ball with two minutes left in the game, facing a second-and-9. I looked out the window and counted six people standing up in my field of vision. That’s right, six people on a key defensive stand that would have had most people going nuts.
As it turns out, this is not a recent problem, this is a terminal problem. In the overtime loss to Ardmore, someone from Carter County looked at the apathetic fans in the fourth quarter and mentioned that some things never change. Basically, he labeled Duncan fans indifferent and called them out. But what the heck, at least you got out of the house for a night of football.
There is much more to football and cheering after the fact. Anyone can applaud a touchdown and a third down stop. But what is so wrong about taking the initiative and giving the players on the field a little encouragement when they need it? Don’t be afraid to stand up to peer pressure. Just because the guy or gal next to you isn’t cheering doesn’t mean that you can’t. Besides, most of the other schools are doing it.
Maybe an infusion of fresh blood is needed. Set aside some space for some of the high school students sitting in isolation on the other side of the field and see if they can do any better. I actually know the answer to that one and so do you. And it isn’t even close.
Coming into the last four games of the year, the team needs a different kind of support, a more interactive kind of support. The Demons’ proverbial back is against the wall and missing the playoffs is a very real scenario. But so is making a strong run to close out the season and hosting a playoff game. But it is probably easier to sit around and say what if so-and-so had done this or done that. And since no one is standing in front of you, you probably have a good viewpoint. But at some point, you have to be part of the solution, rather than part of the problem.
The transition into becoming a new fan can begin Friday night, when Duncan travels for a game against Lawton Mac. There is as much on the line in this game as there has been all season. You don’t know how good you can be if you don’t challenge yourself.
Michael Pineda is the Sports Editor for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 143, or via e-mail at m.pineda@duncanbanner.com.
