What's Up With That?

Sure, the community was watching South Lakes beat Jefferson 39-7 Friday night.

But the people in the stands were also talking - about new football coach Andy Hill, how it finally feels like fall and about the line at the cotton candy stand.

There were a couple of questions asked repeatedly.

Q:  What are they building over there next to the visitor's bleachers. More bathrooms? Luxury boxes? An alumni lounge?

A: None of the above. It is the base for a cell phone tower, pretty much identical to two that are already ringing the football field at South Lakes. A private company leases the space from the school, then rents it out to big cell phone companies like Sprint or Verizon. The school and Fairfax County share the money. Principal Bruce Butler says the profit mostly goes to buy instructional supplies.

Q: What's up with the scoreboard. Isn't it an an antique by now. I noticed last night half the lights were missing.

A: Right you are. A new one is on the way, said Butler. The $40,000 state-of-the-art scoreboard will have all the latest bells and whistles and graphics. A JumboTron?

"More like a mini-tron." said Butler.

The scoreboard was paid for by the Seahawk Athletic Boosters and should be installed by October.

Q: Why was the marching band wearing jeans and T-shirts? Was it a special casual Friday or something?

A:  Like the scoreboard, the new band unis are on order. They will arrive soon. They sounded good, though, no?

Q: Are those a couple of girls on the team?

A:  Correct. Juniors Sumiya Yates and Chermara White are linemen (Women?) for the junior varsity. They dress with the varsity, though, and got into the game on the last couple of plays on Friday.

Q: Why is the next game on Thursday?

A: Jewish High Holiday on Friday and Saturday. Mazel Tov,  Seahawks. Enjoy.