|
|
Speaking |
|
November 21, 2010 By 9:15am, the crowd starts filing in… Remember, NFL games start at 10:00am on the West Coast. (That’s why I go to Church Saturday!) And when you step into “Meatheads” on the corner of Charleston and Decatur in Las Vegas, you’d swear you’re in your favorite Michigan establishment in Dearborn, Novi, Farmington… or wherever. It’s surreal. By game time there are over 135 patrons, all adorned in Lions gear, Michigan jerseys, Michigan State sweatshirts, you name it. Coney dogs are served at halftime and the entire bar is decorated in everything Michigan, from memorabilia to street signs. In fact, if you’ve ever been to Gatsby’s in Novi, I swear this place has the identical look and feel. And, after 4 hours inside, once you step back outside, you have to gather yourself for a minute because even though it felt like you’ve been teleported to Michigan, you’re still in Las Vegas, and frankly, it feels a little disorienting… in a good way. On this day, the Lions led at halftime and the place was going crazy. But, alas, the lead didn’t hold even though the partisan crowd never lost their spirit. That’s why Michigan is such a special place. People care, and they are loyal. Sitting here next to Clay from Utica, Derek from Farmington, Al from Riverview, Matt from Milford, and so on and so forth… even though Michigan is no longer their home, they have never forgotten their roots. And, as the Lion faithful headed out after the game, there was still the thought that hope springs eternal, and in four days, the Lions get to tee it up again on Thanksgiving Day against New England and we’ll all be watching. Meanwhile, Thanksgiving weekend is upon us and that means the MHSAA Football Finals. Novi Wildcat fans take heart. The Plymouth Wildcats will take on Lake Orion in the finals in Division I, and Farmington Hills Harrison will face off against the Lowell Red Arrows in the Division II Championship game. My point? The Novi Wildcats played both of those teams very tough this season, and that should serve as a portent that the Green and White is not that far away, so take heart. And even though the Lion faithful, here at Meatheads in Las Vegas are 2,000 miles away geographically, in their hearts, Michigan is in the forefront. Happy Thanksgiving Everybody! (c) 2010 Novi
Information Network |
|
Lance J. Lilla is a Junior at Novi High School and is a member of the school's varsity football and track teams. Lance brings you in-depth coverage you won't find elsewhere, and appears here every other week. This column is shared by Alex Prasad, Lance J. Lilla and Bernie Fratto on alternating weeks.
|
|
