Hotshot Diaries: Tara

Another blowout game by our Boise Burn! It?s been nothing but excitement at our first two home games at Qwest Arena. The players really put us girls to the test to see if we can keep our energy going for endless touchdown games. We got to start our game day routine a few hours later this last week which was very nice! We didn?t have to be at the arena for turf practice until 3:00, versus the 1:00 practice the week before. That made for a much shorter day at the arena and a lot less draining. The weather was much nicer for the tailgate party before the game and there were a ton more people. We were very happy to sign autographs and converse with fans, both faithful season ticket holders and first timers. The ticket lines were growing just before 7:00 and we headed inside for some quick finishing touches and a last energy boost before the game started. The opening tunnel for the players was formed by the children from Camp Rainbow Gold and I bet they had a blast out on the field! We got to visit with them briefly in the tunnels before game time and they were all so awesome! The Hotshots were happy to stand back and watch their excitement being right on the field face to face with the players. We signed a few autographs then joined them on the field for the national anthem. Then it was show time! Being the second game, we all had a better idea of what to expect and how things worked. With one game under our belt, we were less dependent on the veteran Hotshots to show us the ropes. At the first game I think we were all thinking, ?What next? Where do we go? When do we dance?? We were more comfortable in our sidelines and could focus more on interacting with the crowd getting them excited and on their feet over trying to do the correct steps. With so much going on, we learned that if you keep a smile on your face and show that you?re having a blast, a few wrong steps wasn?t going to ruin the night. We busted out our first dance in the first quarter and that definitely got our blood pumping. One down, three to go. It felt really warm in the arena Saturday and I don?t think I?ve sweat more than that in my life! Doesn?t paint a pretty picture, but it?s the truth! I got to face the suite side of the arena two dances in a row which made me happy. My family and co-workers were all on that side so I got to see them a lot. Not so much in the second dance because a huge chunk of hair got caught in my eyelashes halfway through and stayed there until our ending pose! What a mess! Things like that happened and you just have to keep workin? it! By halftime we were all ready to guzzle a gallon of water, re-apply make up and poof our hair for another exciting half! Once in the locker room the girls exchange silly stories from the opposite end zones. Each side had to book it off the field several times to make room for the charging players after an interception. That has to be the scariest thing ever! Jumping around cheering and dancing then all the sudden all the players are headed right for you!!! Yikes! We have our own little jam out party in the locker rooms then head back out to the field with huge smiles! We have so much fun! I hope everyone got to watch the two women duke it out with the oversized boxing gloves! That was hilarious. Everyone did an awesome job rocking out with the air guitar which provided even more laughs. I admit the sideline group I?m in did steal Shellie?s now famous ?drop to the knees and jam out? act. We had to make up for our performance last week! The crowd really got into it and that?s so much fun to watch. We did our last two dances and showed that we have love for the country music too! Sheri choreographed and awesome kick line dance that really got the fans going. With all the flips and kicks, it made for a very exciting way to finish our performances for the night. The arena went pretty quiet when one of the Texas Copperheads took a hard hit was laid out for several minutes. Everyone was happy to see him walk off the field and return to the last few minutes of play. The final score was 41-14 putting our Boise Burn at a record of 3-1. I?m sure we can expect the same exciting turn out on the score board and ticket sales for this Saturday?s game on May 3rd. -Tara