Jill's Journal: The pep talk I’ll likely never give ...

As I was strolling into last Thursday night’s first-round football playoff game between our Brandon Valley Lynx and Sioux Falls Roosevelt Rough Riders, I bumped into longtime assistant coach Tim Sylliaassen at the gate. “Hey, Sylli”, I said, “I’m available to give the boys a pep talk tonight if needed.”

In true “Sylli” style, he gave me an immediate “Well, come on along with me” response.

Of course, I didn’t, and from the game ending 41-14 score, the Lynx surely had no need for any words of inspiration from this gal. 

As Thursday’s game wore on, I mentioned my interaction with Sylli to fellow Brandon Valley Journal writer Tom Savage. Sometime along the way as we joked about the thought of me delivering a pre-game pep talk, the lightbulb came on: “I should write a column about what this weekly newspaper editor would say if ever put in that very situation.”   

Now, let’s pause and consider the magnitude of this moment. These are teenage athletes – amped up on adrenaline and pregame playlists, getting ready to take the field – and here comes ... the newspaper lady.

I can already picture it: the team is huddled up, their helmets gleaming under the lights, the locker room filled by the sights and smells of pregame energy – a mix of sweat, turf and Axe body spray strong enough to qualify as a weather event.

Armed with my trusty ol’ Nikon dangling from a shoulder, and absolutely no idea what I’m doing, what do I say? “Go get ’em, boys!”

Too short.

“Tonight, you write your own headline.”

Too nerdy.

“Make it front-page news!”

OK, that one might actually work. I mean, my personal “going-to-press-day” pep talk sounds like this: “Alright Jill, let’s hit the deadline hard, no typos, no excuses, and remember to save your work every five minutes!”

Not exactly Friday Night Lights material.

So maybe I’d just speak from the heart. Because if there’s one thing I know, it’s that the Lynx represent this community’s pride and spirit – the same qualities that fill the pages of the Journal every week.

“You’ve worked hard all season. You’ve got the heart of a Lynx and the pride of this whole town behind you! You fight for every inch the way I fight for every inch of column space!” 

And lastly, I’d remind them that this is their story to write.

Wish me luck – because come Friday night and after reading this – Coach C may just have me standing in front of a room full of fired-up football players, hoping to sound like a coach and not like I’m about to interview them.

If all else fails, I’ll just tell them this: “Play your hearts out, boys – and make it front page news.”