Union County vs. Greer

"It's week 10," began coach David Lipsey, "and you have to be ready. Get your head in the game. A reminder - seniors will be the first to go out on the field tonight."

Lipsey was followed by team chaplain Robert Emory who introduced the guest speaker for the pre-game devotion, Robby Quinn, who played for coach Lipsey in 1991 and is a Sunday School teacher at Philippi.

"I teach Sunday School each week," he began, "and I am used to crowds, but I am terrified to be in front of you.

"I played for coach Lipsey at Jonesville and to get mentally ready for the game I would eat some dog food," began Quinn as he reached into a plastic bag and pulled out a can of dog food.

As Quinn opened the dog food, a flood of groans and "you-gotta-be-kiddings" bubbled up from the players.

Quinn then took his fork, dug a hunk of food out and started chewing it. He then took his Bible and read from John 4:88. Jesus was speaking: "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies."

"Guys, things are not always what they seem. I cut out the lid, took out the dog food, washed out the can, and filled it with jello and Twix.

"You know the world is bad. Jesus said in John 4:16 that He was The Way, The Truth and The Life, and that no one could come to the Father except through Him. You are pressured to do what the crowd wants you to do. You're encouraged to be cool, but you know it's a lie. That's Jesus' voice talking to you. Jesus will never tempt you, so when you are tempted it's the devil doing it.

"We've all done something wrong. You know when you do something wrong. Remember, that's Jesus talking to you.

"It seems just like yesterday that coach Lipsey was my coach. Actually it was 15 years ago. And when I smell that grass I get all fired up. Fifteen years passed quickly. You have to realize that in this community you are heroes to folks. The decisions you make can change the team and the community. You have to be disciplined. Your playbook is the Bible. Read it and know that Jesus, not the devil, is the only way to know truth. He is Truth."

Lipsey told that team that "