Moundville, Alabama. September 26th, 1998. 4:00 PM. The sun beats down on the field as the two teams, Conehatta and the University of Georgia's Flying Rats, line up. The two Captains, Hugh King for Conehatta and Gene Crawford for the Flying Rats, walk the between the two teams. Counting. Assigning positions.
As soon as it is determined the teams are even the ball is tossed into the scorched Alabama air and the game begins in earnest. Initialy the teams are well matched and neither has an advantage. Soon, however, Keith gets the ball and runs it in for the first point. Flying Rats lead 1-0.
By the time the first half ends, Keith, Todd, Alvin, Soren (with assistance from Sarah Hunt) and Paul have scored and the Flying Rats lead 7-2.
The second half is a whole new ball game. Conehatta comes out of the gate firing while, simultaneously, the Flying Rat defense collapses. Each time the ball gets near the goal the Flying Rats are defending it falls into a cluster of Choctaw, with no NaHollo around anywhere. Conehatta scores. And scores. And scores. And soon it is 7-6. And the fourth quarter.
The defense is working again. Despite this Conehatta scores early, tying it up 7-7. The Flying Rats fight back, scoring another but losing Todd to a broken collar bone in the process. With time running out Conehatta ties it up again: 8-8. And time expires.
Hugh calls for Sudden Death. The ball is tossed up. Conehatta retrieves it. Fires it at the goal. Gene blocks with his chest, leaving a silver dollar sized welt. Alvin gets the ball. Breaks a tackle. Touches the goal. But not with the cup of his sticks. The point doesn't count.
The next one by the Choctaw does and the game ends 9-8. Conehatta wins.