Thursday, December 4, 2008

Rockets arrive at motel in northern Kentucky


Stay tuned for more posts later this evening

The Rocket football team arrived at the motel in Florence, Ky., at about 4:45 p.m., Central Time. The team will be staying the night at the Courtyard by Marriott.

After a brief break at the motel, the Rockets will be heading over to Beechwood High School for a workout on the artificial turf at the Tigers' stadium. Crittenden's players will practice special teams play in sweats and helmets. Afterward, they will return to the motel for pizza.

The football team had a champion's sendoff from Marion this morning. After pep rallies at Rocket Arena and Crittenden Elementary School, the Rockets made a couple of passes through town as fans lined the city streets. Crayne had its own contingent of fans and homebuilder James Penn and his crew had put a large Go Rockets sign at the county line. There were even a few fans at Princeton to help put the team on the Western Kentucky Parkway.

The inspirational football movie "Facing the Giants" was viewed on the bus during the long trip as the team ate McDonald's burgers, chips, cookies and drinks that were picked up before leaving Marion. The team also watched a replay of the 1985 Class A state championship which was checked out from the Crittenden County Public Library. The Quarterback Club had prepared a sack snack for the ride. Ham sandwiches, chips and a dessert were served during a short leg-stetching break at Shelbyville. The bus was stopped in traffic for more than 30 minutes near Louisville because of an accident on the interstate.

The Crittenden Press provided a bundle of newspapers for the staff and players to read en route to northern Kentucky. At Florence, the team was met by Marion native Wheeler Yarbrough who along with a soft drink distributor friend, donated 10 cases of Vitamin water for the team to have after Thursday's practice.