prelude to tomorrow's big day, homecoming memories and more

A somewhat busy day on tap for me today as I begin preparations for my return home. If all goes well, I will be departing early in the morning, and hope to arrive in Las Vegas before noon. I'll tell you, these five-hour long treks will wear you out, even moreso after you've traveled the same road over and over and over. I estimated that I've taken the I-15 between Las Vegas and Southern California at least 50 times since my initial trip over 22 years ago.

A lot has changed - in 1988, the Maximum Speed was 65 MPH in the open areas, 55 MPH elsewhere, as the law that Tricky Dick put into effect back in 1974 was not fully repealed. As you might expect, I was prepared.

Today, the I-15 is mostly three-lanes each direction, except between Barstow and the Nevada State Line, where it is two lanes with a truck lane on an as-needed basis. The Maximum Speed is 70 MPH now, except 65 coming out of the Cajon Pass heading south.

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Well, as Jim Perry used to say on television, we're going down to the wire with the final two days of homecoming week. I'm not sure what the theme for today is - back in our days there, we had some interesting themed days, including one in which the girls were dressed up as guys - too funny. Anybody that was there who remembers those wacky days, please let me know. And of course, per tradition, on Fridays it was Maroon & Gold day. That's the granddaddy of them all as everyone starts the countdown to the big show at Sundevil Stadium, preceded of course by a pep rally inside the Sportatorium.

Not sure how that will go tomorrow, as I unfortunately will not partake in the festivities inside the old barn - but, I will be there for the big show and hopefully join my old comrades on the track for the halftime festivities which will also include the selection of the king and queen for 2011.

I sort of wish my experience with the 84-85 homecoming was different - first off, my partner in crime bailed before the start of the year, so I was riding solo. Second, the hotties whom I was looking to take Shawn's place were already spoken for - so there goes my selection for homecoming king. And third, the team got beat by bleeping Las Vegas High School on a field goal towards the end of the game - a great homecoming that turned into a unfortunate defeat, and knocking us out of the post-season. Britta and Jason evidently was chosen as the queen and king for 1985 - I had my vote for Britta; not sure who I voted for in the king category.

I also helped coordinate some of the festivities for the day - why I didn't realize the potential that I had back then to be a promoter - that is beyond me. At the age of 17 - my life was going different directions. At 43 - it's a little different.

I'm not sure if we ever won a homecoming game in my four years I was there. We certainly didn't in 1981 - and that was a rare daytime game between Eldorado and Rancho. Not sure about 1982 though - 1983 i think we played against the Wildcats and we beat them.

That year - 1983 - was a great year. It was also my first year going to the games as I was not well known to be there in '81 or '82. I do remember Michele Pope one time inviting me to join them for one of their games back in '82 - and that was the day when a big thunderstorm rolled in, and I had to get outta there and get home, which I did in time. Days later, I came down with a serious illness that sidelined me for a week.

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Here's the lineups for the "original ten". For those who don't know, the original ten are the ten schools that were around in the 1980s.

BASIC - vs Silverado

BONANZA - vs Western

CHAPARRAL - at Rancho

CLARK - at Sierra Vista

ELDORADO - vs Desert Pines

GORMAN - at De La Salle (Concord, CA) - Saturday

LAS VEGAS - vs Valley

RANCHO - vs Chaparral

VALLEY - at Las Vegas

WESTERN - at Bonanza

Eldorado is currently ranked #32 in the MaxPreps rankings for Nevada.

Hammonton's Blue Devils, who are 2-0, will be at home against Oakcrest. In El Paso, Andress (2-1) plays host to Burges, who are 1-2. Parkland will be at Canutillo, and Irvin (1-3) plays Chapin tonight.

I will not be able to provide all the coverage of the games tomorrow as I will be at Eldorado covering their game against Desert Pines. For the first time, I will be reporting the game on FB live as it happens, so you want to be tuned to that.

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That's all for now. Have a safe Thursday, everyone.