This is funny, from my last year in Highschool.
2003 PREVIEW: LAFAYETTE
Pack it in, block 'em out
By JEFF DARLINGTON
Sam Durden knows as well as anyone how to navigate through the maze of aisles at Sam's Club Warehouse.
No, the bulk-food store isn't named after him. No, he doesn't even have any stock in the company. But there's no doubt he remains accountable for at least a portion of its success.
Buying food in bulk, Durden doesn't miss a shelf.
"I just spent $296," he said. "And I spent another $330 last week."
There are plenty of people in Lafayette that would thank the father if they had the chance. It's because of his mammoth grocery bills that this year's football team boasts two serious threats on the offensive line.
Caleb Durden and Garrett Land, weighing 252 and 300 pounds, respectively, never miss a meal. And they rarely miss eating one together, either.
"They'll eat a box of those chicken cordon bleus per meal - six per box," said Caleb's father. "They'll drink a 24-pack of Gatorade in the evening. I've got quite an investment in them."
Durden and Land have been best friends since birth, wolfing down hundreds of meals together. Whether hunting, fishing or boating, the pair spends nearly every hour of the day hanging out -- which, when all is said and done, could be what accounts for these hefty appetites.
The shelves run so thin when they're around, they have to take turns at one another's house just to keep food in the cabinets.
"We're pretty big eaters," Durden said. "It helps when we spread it out a little bit. I reckon it's pretty hard on the groceries."
But considering just how close they've become over the years, both sets of parents have no problem feeding their needs. Not when their brother-like relationship has helped them succeed as they have.
"Garrett's my buddy," said Caleb's father. "I can't kick him out. They're just big kids. Always have been. In second grade, they'd walk by the head coach at the time. He would just look at them and smile."
A decade later, the coaches are still smiling. Land and Durden enter their season as college prospects, both blocking for one of the most explosive athletes in the state.
With a squad including wide receiver Marcus Edwards - also one of the pair's best friends - coach Joey Pearson has his plans for this returning trio.
"Whether Marcus is in the backfield or we're trying to throw him a pass, it's not going to happen unless the offensive line gets the job done," Pearson said. "Those two guys could be the key to the season."
So with a plotline that closely resembles Hollywood'sVarsity Blues, the group of best friends including quarterback Luke Page will attempt to translate their close relationships onto the playing field.
Entering their senior year, this quartet hopes to leave Lafayette being remembered for their tight ties -- and their big plays.
"It's pretty neat because we're finally at the peak of our game," Durden said. "Being seniors, we've got to suck it up and do what we can. We can all trust each other. We know how everybody acts, so it makes it a lot easier on the field."
But just because it's their last year of high school football together, it doesn't mean Durden and Land plan on separating. Being recruited by similar schools, including Jacksonville University, the pair could end up together again.
Should it work out, neither would be surprised or disappointed.
"It'd be great if we could find the same school to go play ball at," Land said.
Great for the coaches. Great for the players. Just not great for another important aspect of their lives - the groceries.
"But we don't really worry about the future too much," Durden said. "We're just enjoying this year right now. We've got plenty more meals to eat together before then."
ha ha found this online about me
(close one)
