Concessions Unnecessary for Los Alamitos

Before anyone starts thinking life has returned to normal now that the most hyped football game of the season (so far) has come and gone, consider the plight of the Los Alamitos and Esperanza laundry men.

Last seen, these two were weeping on each other’s shoulders, mountains of mud-soaked uniforms at their side. Sources say the two hope to finish the job as early as next fall. Pruney finger syndrome and all.

Of course, there are those among the high school football scene who say a showdown such as this should have never been so messy in the first place. This game, they say, deserved a setting clean and pristine, not the mucked-up mud bog that impersonated Valencia High School’s Bradford Stadium Friday night. It should have been moved to Cerritos College or Cal State Fullerton, they say, a stadium that could give 8,000-plus fans some elbow room.

Now the roominess issue is an OK argument. The 2,000 or so fans who had to stand at either end zone undoubtedly would rather have rested their bones on those bleacher seats. Of course, that’s what you get when you don’t rearrange your entire life so you can get to the game two hours early like everyone else.

But this business about the mud? So Mother Nature isn’t a football fan. So the Valencia junior varsity played a game on the same field Friday afternoon. You know, house plants die. Checking accounts don’t always balance. Tiramisu is often served with just a touch too much whipped cream. You just have to deal with reality sometimes.

Besides, at least 99% of all Southern Californians are from places like Cleveland or Kalamazoo, no thanks to the Rose Parade. You’d think these out-of-staters might welcome a little rain or mud. Maybe even grow nostalgic over less-than-perfect conditions. But no. They’ve become weather wimps like the rest of us.

Certainly, the reasons given for not moving the game to a bigger venue did seem a bit flimsy. Esperanza Athletic Director Jim Patterson--who officiated the Servite-Mater Dei game this season that drew 10,000 to Cal State Fullerton and loved it--said he didn’t want to sacrifice proceeds from concessions, as he said would happen at an away stadium. Plus, he said, he would have to pay $2,000 or so to rent a place like Cerritos College. And he didn’t want Esperanza parents to drive too far.

Jim, just come out and say it next time. Esperanza wanted the home-field advantage and that’s that. Tell your naysayers to go take a lap or something. But please. Concessions? Two hours before game time Friday, your man at the snack bar said he had brought just 200 hamburgers to sell for the entire night. Two hundred burgers for 8,000 people? Were they supposed to be auctioned off to the highest bidder?

Fortunately, the Mud Bowl was a blast. At least for Los Alamitos, which (I suppose we might mention this) beat top-ranked Esperanza, 34-14. While most of the Los Alamitos players maneuvered through the slop without so much as a slip, the Esperanza players looked like Fred Flintstone getting nowhere fast in his mid-air sprint. Yabba dabba doo.

Los Alamitos had planned for the slick stuff, of course. Those cleats they were wearing? Straight from L.L. Bean’s winter catalogue. Those sure-footed routes they were running? Actually trails of hot carmel. Looks a lot like mud, tastes better on apples.

But it was the Los Al attitude that made the difference. Ever-capable quarterback Tim Carey said the wet and slippery conditions were in his favor. He didn’t think this at first, he said. But his coach told him so, and he believed. He and George Sagen--Carey’s favorite receiver since fifth grade--hooked up for three touchdown passes, all in the first half. Windshield wipers should have such timing.

When told that the Los Al drill team went on tenaciously with its halftime routine that included marching through the mud and dancing the can-can in high heels--it had to be seen to be believed--Carey voiced true concern. “Oh no,” he said. “How miserable !” As if putting up with the field conditions--and huge defensive linemen--were nothing in comparison.

Truth is, this game deserves to go down in Los Al lore. Maybe before they’re all washed and pressed, a few of those mud-covered uniforms might be mounted and framed. Or sent up the flag pole at City Hall. Or crumpled in a ball, coated with shellac and auctioned off as art.

Could be a profitable concession.