Traditions are important to any successful high school athletic program, and Bainbridge High School put in some new football traditions in 2012, which I feel really added to the excitement on Bearcats Friday nights at Centennial Field.

One of the new traditions I liked most was the placing of a big rock just outside the entrance to the Centennial Field’s fieldhouse.

It was dubbed the “Cat Rock” and is a symbol of the players’ hard work and dedication. At the end of each season seniors will inscribe their names on the rock.

The award-winning Marching Bearcats Band added to their always outstanding Friday night performances by providing enhanced pregame entrance music as the team came onto the field, led by the outstanding Bearcats cheerleaders.

Then there was the inflated Bearcat that the players ran through on their way to the field.

I commend the Bainbridge School Bearcats Football Booster Club for putting together some strong traditions that Bearcats football fans will enjoy for years to come.

Another new tradition, which I thought was great was the announcing of the Bearcats starting lineups as their individual pictures appeared on the video scoreboard and Tommy Palmer, of the Georgia High School Football Scoreboard Show, read their names and positions.

In Decatur County, there are alumni and fans of numerous college football teams, but we are all united behind one high school team, the Bainbridge High School Bearcats.

They are our kids and they bring a lot of positive publicity to Bainbridge and Decatur County. Centennial Field is the place to be on Friday nights each August through November.

It has been my privilege and pleasure to spend many extremely enjoyable Friday nights there through the years.

I have covered three generations of Bearcats football players at Centennial Field since arriving here in April 1970, and I am excited about covering even more.

As we welcome in another new year next Tuesday, and with spring practice just a few months away, I’m sure there will be some new names crossing my desk.

Covering football players and other high school athletes in their careers keeps a person like me young at heart.

In conclusion, I would just like to wish all my readers and news sources a very happy and prosperous new year.