Calvary from way up high

Being the football fan that I am, one of my favorite things to do when taking off or landing on plane flights would have to be trying to identify the various gridiron venues as we pass over.

Flying American Airlines, I can see the tremendously ornate stadiums of east Texas. If flying Delta, I have a hard time being able to point out anything since we are usually up too high by the time we reach the Minden area to be able to see through the clouds.

Thursday, Thanksgiving to be exact, I flew Northwest Airlines and was treated to the best on-time service I have had in recent memory. Kudos to the folks in Memphis.

As we buckled up to begin our landing at Shreveport Regional, we dipped under the heavy clouds to see the familiar sites of home. I cannot remember being able to fly right over Barksdale and see all the B-52s before. As I craned my neck to pick out other familiar sites, I spotted the Red River, Cross Lake and then what looked to be the Inner Loop.

If I didn't know any better, I would swear the pilot made the next turn on purpose. He sailed right over Jerry Barker Stadium, and though I have seen a couple of photos of the artificial surface from up high, my personal birds-eye view was literally breath-taking.

I never had a chance to thank the pilot for making that special loop around Calvary, but you can bet I will think about taking Northwest Airlines on my next flight, just in case I can see that Calvary logo from a half-mile up in the air again.

What about the defense and O-line?

When it comes to football, the defense and offensive line never, ever, ever get their due respect. It's the same from Pee-Wee leagues on up through the NFL. That's a shame, but a fact of the game.

The proverbial quotation, "Defense wins championships" is 100 percent accurate. All year long, Calvary opponents have been able to move somewhat against the Cavaliers, but the defense has risen to stop the other team when it was necessary. Still, no one on the defensive side of the ball has their name mentioned in the headlines. I wonder what would happen if Logan Bonnette, Dylan Grant or some other individual on the Calvary team made all the tackles on a given night?
How much press would that generate?

Kyle Rutledge, to my knowledge, has never had his name in the newspaper or website headlines, but he and the rest of the offensive line have offered a yeoman's performance for four years now.

My hat, which by the way is missing from my office, goes off to the Cavalier defense and offensive line. Though you will never get the individual credit you deserve, your efforts on the field of play are more valuable than you will ever know.

Now, if someone will just find and turn in my missing hat, I can keep my shiny dome free of sunburn while the Cavaliers prepare for their own Dome experience.