Stitched In Fabric

It's a relationship that has been stitched in fabric for the last eight years.

This past Friday night, Eldorado football and the National Guard made their relationship a little more literal on the football field.

Eldorado honored its military by wearing camouflage jerseys sponsored by the National Guard.

The idea was brought to Clark by Beau Dietrich and it was one that the EHS head football coach said his staff took "hook, line and sinker."

"I thought the kids responded to it well," Clark said. "This is awesome because of what you're honoring. This was a very neat way to salute our veterans and current service members."

Each year, since 2011 and when Brandon Hampton was then head coach of the Eagles, EHS has participated in a "team building" exercise with the National Guard. The events, which range from water jug carry to pushups to long runs all are done in mind with support for fellow teammate, while personally pushing each individual to their maxim potential.

The moment when Clark looked across the field at his team dressed in the camouflage jersey was one that he won't soon forget.

"It was a proud moment for me t00hat's for sure, Clark said. "It's something that I think sometimes is taken for granted; the freedoms that we have the sacrifices that people make. It makes coaching high school football look like a silly job.

"I can't say it enough and it's neat how many people are serving across the world and letting us play football on a Friday night."

Eldorado, who is 2-0 on the season, will travel to Vienna-Goreville Saturday for a 1 p.m. Black Diamond Conference contest.

Spyder Dann covers prep and college sports for the Southern Illinois Local Media News Group. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.