Granite City High School - Warrior Yearbook (Granite City, IL)

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1. A loyal South fan proudly waves the Confederate flag during the first game at the state tournament. 2. Mr. and Mrs. Sikora bundled up to keep warm during the cold Chicago temperatures. 3. Gina Graham holds a South sign during one of the exciting tournament games. 4. Patty Burch, Chris Peterson, and Sandi Peterson walk around during half-time to try to get some feeling back in their toe tips. 14 STATE FANS

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With an over-flowing crowd of 53,723 baseball fans, Busch Stadium was aglow with Cardinal Red. The enthusiastic peo- ple rocked the stadium with cheers and whistles as the last world series game of 7 was about to begin. The devoted supporters were restless after beating the Brewers 13-1 the pre- vious night. Many stayed after the sixth game in order to camp out in the line that encircled the stadium. This was to assure them of a ticket for the final game. It was obvious that not only the fans were enthused. All of the Cardinal heroes thundered out onto the field one by one as they were introduced. As Ozzie Smith went to his second base position at the start of the game, he did a back flip. The final game was on its way. In the early innings, the Cardinals squandered opportunities against Brewer Pete Vucko- vich. Finally, the Cardinals got one run in the fourth on singles by Willie McGee, Tom Herr, and Lonnie Smith. The Brewers tied the score in the fifth inning with a home run. Then the Brewers used a little Whitey Ball to move ahead in the sixth inning. Milwaukee led 3-1, but only for a little while. Ozzie and Lonnie singled and doubled successfully to left field. Keith Hernandez singled to right field sending home the tying runs. By this time, the crowd was going wild. Hendrick then hit a single to right sending home the run to pull ahead to 4-3. Lonnie Smith opened the 8th inning. Hernandez was walked deliberately and Hendrick flied out. Porter lined a single to right field scoring Lonnie. Brauns singled to right and sent Hernandez home, giving the Cardinals a 6-3 lead. With three fast outs made by the Brew- ers, the 1982 series was over. The Cardinals were WORLD CHAMPIONS. Fans rushed to the field. It became a field of red. Fireworks exploded overhead. The whole world was looking at St. Louis. Outside the stadium, Brewers pennants were burned, while anything containing the word Cardinal or World Series sold for no less than $5.00. Screams of delight poured from miles around the stadium as the celebration be- gan. The Cardinals were now the World Champions for the first time since 1964. by Chris Peterson

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The Granite South Soccer Warriors were off to state once more to regain their soc- cer title. They had the coaches and the ability to make it happen, but they also needed one more important ingredient. Fans were that special ingredient. It was something to play the game, but to have hundreds of fans cheering you on as you sped down the field, made it over- whelming. The fans sat in the stands up in Northfield, Illinois all huddled together rooting for their Soccer Warriors. Blan- kets, thermals, hats and gloves helped keep them warm from the frigid condi- tions. After the games, the fans dispersed to the several local hotels and peeled off their layers of clothing. Many activities could be found throughout the area. Many people went to other ' s hotel rooms and some could be found in the hall. People brought plenty of food and necessities for the soccer weekend. Jubilant cheers could be heard in the hotels Saturday night because South had won the championship game. All the fans gathered at the Holidome in Skokie and waited for the players to come join them in celebration. The fans were as excited as was the team. There was plenty of excite- ment in the air that night and it lasted till the early morning. When the soccer team returned home on Sunday, the fans were there to greet them. Cheering them on as they exited the bus, the fans assembled in the gymnasium to listen to the comments from the play- ers, the coaches, Principal James Dumont and other distinguished guests. The play- ers thanked the coaches and also the play- ers on the team, but mostly they thanked someone else for their support. The Fans! by Lori Forrest STATE FANS 15