“Down through the glen
Where-where the hills are sleeping
Now feel the blood a-leaping
High as the spirits of old island men”-
Robert Wilson’s “Scotland the Brave”2nd stanza
Well, it was not the day for the Fighting Scots from Edinboro yet again. This time defeat fell upon them inside the safety of Sox Harrison. It was a gallant effort. One worthy of mention. Although the game ended in utter defeat, QB Isaac Bernard threw for a career high 339 yards and 3 touchdowns and kept his team in it until the end. Bloomsburg scored with 30 seconds to go to take a 32-27 lead, and the Huskie defense stood firm to close the game dropping the Scots to 1-3. Dauntless courage was displayed under the Northwest Pennsylvania sunshine, but once again, victory eluded the team in Red and White.
No matter however, the season continues and so does the journey through the PSAC.
The journey does not get any easier, however. Careful footing is necessary this upcoming Saturday as the Scots travel the short hour South on I-79 into the undefeated and nationally ranked Slippery Rock or locally called, “Rock.” This Rock team has had an impressive start to the season being 3-0 and outscoring their opponents 75-24, with two of those wins coming on the road.
Now, back home in front of the Rock Faithful, this team continues its date with playoff destiny with the limping Fighting Scots coming to town. Looking at the stats, I do not see a key to victory in this one for our courageous bunch from Edinboro. But you know, sometimes stats don’t matter. I mean take the win over Robert Morris in Week 2 for example.
On the road, in the hostile Moon Township, up against a superior opponent, the Fighting Scots did just enough to defeat the Colonials even though the pregame stats would say a win was improbable. Please allow for another example.
Take the Battle of Loudoun Hill. The great Scot King, Robert the Bruce was used to being heavily outnumbered in battle, and this one was no exception. His cunning mind and extensive knowledge of the Scottish landscape proved to be all the advantage needed to defeat the better equipped English Army. Well, that and the courage of the 600 Scots who stood against the nearly 3,000 English. Statistics rarely tell the entire story.
That said, Rock is damn good and efficient on both sides of the football, and it is going to take a near perfect game by Edinboro to stay in this game.
This passionate Rock fan base includes former Major League First Baseman Matt Adams and Current New York Yankee Pitcher Lou Trivino as they both are Alums.
A quick word of note, if you are attending a tailgate outside of Mihalik-Thompson Stadium, be sure not to have too much fun with the booze. As the Slippery Rock website states:
“Drinking games: Drinking games, including but not limited to beer pong or other orchestrated efforts that may promote excessive drinking, are prohibited.”
Don’t get buckled on the ‘Hawf and Hawf’ at this one. A pint of Heavy and a Wee Dram will have to suit ya.
Best of luck to Edinboro Fighting Scots under the lights in Slippery Rock this Saturday in the final game before a much-deserved Bye week. Leave it all on the field. Fight like Hell and remember…
Fight on! You Fighting Scotsmen.
Fight on! You represent Northwest Penn.
Fight on you Scots, play with a prideful Grin.
Fight on you Scots, go down the field and Win!
Find the Humor and keep on Movin’
Whit W.