HOBART — The Brickie Bowl has been home to four state championship teams; nine semistate champions; 15 regional champions, the most in state history; and 19 sectional champions, all in a row from 1979 to ’97, another state record.
So in the final regular-season game at the venerable venue, the type of performance Hobart put together on Friday night seemed a fitting farewell, worthy of the program’s rich history.
Amid a party atmosphere -- with only a hint of bittersweet -- to celebrate the stadium that debuted in 1939, the Brickies dominated Highland 56-6.
The home stands were packed well before kickoff -- seating capacity is 6,000, with that number increased to 8,500 with standing room -- and it had the feel of one of those games where someday 100,000 people will say they were there.
Painted on the middle of the field was: "69 yrs. of History Priceless ... Thank you for the Memories Brickie Bowl"
“It was an awesome experience I’ll never forget,” quarterback Mat Barras said afterwards.
The pregame run-up included several highlights. Roz Howell -- the wife of the late Don Howell, one of Hobart’s coaching giants along with Russ Deal -- served as an honorary captain for the Brickies (8-1, 5-1 Northwest Crossroads Conference).
She pulled up on the track in a Humvee, initially escorted by two members of the Indiana National Guard, then to the center of the field that bears her husband’s name by senior tight end/linebacker Bobby James for the coin toss.
“It was kind of sad because she was shedding tears,” James said. “It almost made me shed tears. We all know how much Coach Howell means, and how much all of this means to the community.”
The referee even wore a microphone for the occasion. And, of course, on a night when the Trojans (0-9, 0-6) were mere foils, fodder for the festivities, the Brickies won the toss.
The motto “Once a Brickie, always a Brickie” was in full effect. Past players, cheerleaders, trainers, managers and statisticians, and their families, congregated in the east end zone before the game.
As a group by decade -- beginning with the 1930s and continuing through the 2000s -- the assembled marched through the inflatable “Hobart Brickies” tunnel. By the time each decade had made its way onto the field, the double lines just inside the hashmarks stretched all the way to the opposite 5-yard line.
The current team then stormed onto the field and through the person-made tunnel, traditional Hobart raised clenched fists plentiful along the route and high fives exchanged.
“That pumped me up -- that pumped everybody up,” James said. “It seemed like it never ended -- and it was physical, too.”
Said Barras: “Running through the tunnel with all the alumni was awesome. I get goosebumps just thinking about it.”
The emotion and momentum carried over into the game. Barras completed 7-of-8 passes for 117 yards and three touchdowns, and ran for another for the Brickies, who went to their reserves with 50 seconds left in the third quarter. James had four catches for 75 yards and two scores.
Hobart scored on each of its first four possessions, with its “worst” starting field position the Highland 32. After the Brickies’ third offensive touchdown, Roger Cardwell returned an interception 84 yards for another score.
“I was ready to go,” Barras said. “I’m sure everybody was excited. I can’t even explain it.
“We came out to warm up at six o’clock and the stands were filled.”
After the game, longtime assistant coach Tom Kerr addressed the crowd, surrounded by the Hobart team and with Highland, showing class and respect, kneeling on the far sideline absorbing the ceremonies.
“As you know, this field has seen some tremendous games, we’ve had some tremendous memories. As we leave and turn out the lights for the last time, let us always respect what the field stands for,” said Kerr, adding he was sure Deal and Howell were watching from above.
“I feel very fortunate to be part of this tremendous tradition.”
He said he knows leaving breaks many hearts, including his, but the new on-campus field will be “unique” in its own right.
“It’s time that we turn the page of football in Hobart and move to our new facility,” Kerr said.
After the lights were turned off, an impressive fireworks display, lasting about seven minutes, capped the evening.
“This is amazing,” James said. “It’s like a holiday. The fireworks, Coach Kerr’s speech, it’s amazing. That’s all I can say.”
Hobart opens sectional play at the Brickie Bowl next week against West Side -- and it probably won’t be its last postseason home game -- but it didn’t diminish the enthusiasm Friday.
“It’s hard to sit back even now and think that this place is closing down,” Hobart coach Wally McCormack said. “I understand why. You walk around during the day, the flaws are evident. But have you ever been to a high school football game with a better atmosphere?”
Contact Michael Osipoff at 648-3137 or mosipoff@post-trib.com. Comment on this story at www.post-trib.com.
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