Tailgaiting is serious stuff

By Scott Marshall


Published: August 28, 2008

To the uninitiated, it may have seemed odd perhaps that Ric Woerner was positioned at the corner of the Amherst County High School grounds and South Main Street shortly after 5 p.m. last Friday, with comfy chairs, family and friends and a grill fired up with hamburgers and hot dogs.

Woerner, 41, of Madison Heights, an engineer and North Carolina State University grad (“Where do you think we learned to tailgate?” he deadpanned) was one of dozens of Amherst football tailgaters who, for the past couple of years, have added even more festivity to Friday night football.

They, and most others, are there every Friday night, decked out in their various college colors much as collegiate fans tailgate. The difference is that these fans are there for family and community.

The Woerners were there to support not only the team but also their daughter, Beth, a 15-year-old junior on the flag corps and otherwise a piccolo player in the band.

As smoke from the grill wafted upward in the hot afternoon sun past Woerner’s spot, a guy in a pickup truck honked as he flew southward.

“We get more people who beep when they go by here,” said Woerner’s wife, Mary.

Pride over two state championships is one thing, but turning out to support the team is quite another and, for the past couple of years, has become a pastime among Amherst parents, students, well-wishers and even the curious.

Many fans set up near the press box in a fenced parking lot beside the field (the school charges $20 for such a prime spot), with everything from venison to chicken to beef on the menu and with all of the fixins.

The school has sold 104 of 122 of the prime spaces, and the pass is good for the entire season, including all playoff games. Tailgaters must hang the parking decal from the rear-view mirror; park in their assigned area; and have a game ticket or season pass. All other public school regulations apply.

More than two hours before kickoff, students pack in as fans park on the grounds and along South Main Street as far away as the Ambriar Shopping Center.

“When do we ‘paint up?’” one of the students enthusiastically asked, prepared to participate in what they call “The 12th Man” –– a group of male students (ably assisted by female students) who bear their chests and backs and adorn themselves with painted maroon letters with silver trim that collectively spell Amherst and, on their backs, numbers and players’ names.

“Football players love it,” said Ryan Pigg, 17, of Amherst, a senior.

The atmosphere grows intense with anticipation but is tempered by piping hot food and football Friday time with friends and family.

“We got here at 5, it’s perfect,” said Judy Steele, Amherst class of ’73.