9/15 Garfield vs. Franklin tailgating--then, Gridiron Gang with "The Rock"

When: September 15th, 4pm

Where: The parking lot in front of Memorial Stadium (afterwards wherever Gridiron Gang with "The Rock" is playing.)

What we will serve: Football fare

What to bring: Garfield Bulldog Pride

Why: Garfield vs. Franklin isn't much of a musical rivalry (Jimi Hendrix vs. Kenny G)

It isn't much of a comedy rivalry (David Swidler vs. John Keister)

But it is the best athletic rivalry in the city. It's a neighborhood bragging rights game, no less now (we saw a injured Franklin player throw a female trainer practically to the ground in an effort to re-enter the b-ball game last year at GHS) than it was in our day (remember the bleacher collapse? the last-second waved off shot? the game at Royal Brougham?)

Less so in football, where Franklin's reigned supreme. But now things are evening out. Both schools have alumni and former UW stars for coaches (Mario Bailey for Franklin, Anthony Allen and former NFL assistant Al Roberts for Garfield). Both programs look to compete in Kingco this year after several years in the cellar.

We're going to tailgate out of the back of Pauls Toutonghi's truck before this year's Garfield/Franklin game. The game's at 5pm, so knock off work a little early and join us at 4pm for hot dogs, wings, whatever else we decide to get up to. Good times!

Then, after the game (timing TBD) we'll head to opening night of "Gridiron Gang", which stars former NFL football player "The Rock" as the coach of a youth prison football team. What more do you need to know?

Holy crap, this could be the greatest night of our lives.