Finished my first road trip to Coolidge in 18 months of service at the Tribune, and I survived, which is never a given with me.The city had been without electricity for the past two days, which not only wreaked havoc on the city and football team’s preparations for Blue Ridge (and yes, rest assured those 3A rankings are going to change next week), but life itself.Some kids were able to seek refuge with friends who had generators, others had to go to Florence or Casa Grande and stay with friends. Other families had no choice but to suffer in the August oppression.After two days of no school, and, for many, two nights of 90 degree
sleeping weather, with little wind and the farm "aroma" circling above,
order has been restored.About 3 p.m. Friday, the city was back up and running again, and the game was on. There were initially rumors the game would have to be moved to Chandler Hamilton, then rumors floated they’d have to find a way to get to Blue Ridge instead.As it happened, the Bears probably wanted to cancel this one. They had their moments on defense and in the running game, but a town spoiled by Jesse Wheeler at quarterback the past two seasons better get used to change.Meanwhile, Blue Ridge is as good as it gets in 3A.Coolidge has won two state titles in a row, and Carlo Hernandez is as good as it gets, but a third title is a long way away. Loooooonng way away.For the what-have-you-done-for-me lately crowd, welcome to reality. Nobody I talked to afterward was jumping off the roof at being 0-2.They just wanted cold water again.
