Support Food Fight Bowl Fundraiser, MOW

Editor's Note: We're 10 weeks out from the 6th Annual Sam Wyche Food Fight Bowl, which harnesses the football rivalry between Easley and Pickens to raise money for Pickens County Meals on Wheels. As the game approaches, we'll be running guest editorials outlining why you should support this fundraiser. The first is from legend-in-his-own mind Darnell Cleater.

Darnell Cleater -- Legendary High School Football Star

Please support Meals on Wheels by donating to your favorite school.  Just tell them “D-Cleater” and the “Semicolons” told you to do it.  Meals on Wheels - P.O. Box 184 - Easley, S.C. 29641 or on line at www.pcmow.org . 

My class of 1983 just celebrated our 30th year reunion.  We recalled fond memories and most embarrassing moments.  I had my share in those seven years at Slumber High.

 Football was my sport in high school.. I was clearly the greatest player in the history of the Slumber High Semicolons.  It was tough, though, having a “Semicolon” as our mascot.  You can imagine some of the pretty ugly comments we got when we were getting beat and  stinking up the place.  The mascot had it tough, too.  When he took off the top of his costume, he was constantly mistaken for the common comma.

 I am really proud of the fact that my classmates still remembered my nick name: “D-Cleater”.  See, the “D” is short for “Darnell” and “Cleater”  is my last name.  But the tag really came from me knocking opponents out of their shoes at the line of scrimmage.  (Don’t worry, I had to explain this to my classmates at the reunion, too!)

My best friend, Rock Bottom, was the second best player on the team.  He had loads of talent, but suffered from an inferiority complex that wouldn‘t quit.  Both of us are still able to fit into our letter jackets.  Rock can’t zip his up, but, he can still wear it if he holds his shoulder tight as if someone just poured ice water down his back. 

We never had a Food Fight Bowl like Easley and Pickens High Schools do.  I know that Slumber High could have out raised two schools with Blue Flame and Green Wave as mascots!  At least the Semicolons’ mascot is punctually correct!!

When we put our mind to something, we do it up right.  I remember painting “Class of ‘83 Rules” on the water tower.  I’ll never understand how the cops figured out we did it.  My theory is that we were victims of profiling.  The two empty paint cans in my locker and a little matching paint on my overalls seemed inconclusive to me. 

I hope you guys in Easley and Pickens will give to student when they ask you to help them win the Ultimate Food Fight Bowl Trophy this year.  It makes a difference to the kids, and, more importantly, Meals on Wheels can’t continue their important work without you.

Give to the 2013 Sam Wyche Food Fight Bowl.  Do it for ‘ol “D-Cleater”!

Darnell Cleater

Legendary High School Football Star

Slumber High Semicolons