Semoball

Poplar Bluff football heads into dead period with a fruitful tradition

Poplar Bluff’s Dylan Wells carries a pair of watermelons to take home after the Mules were treated to the treat following their final practice Friday before the mandatory dead period.
DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Scott Borkgren

An old tradition was delivered by fresh faces this season.

In its final practice before the dead period where teams aren’t allowed to practice, the Poplar Bluff football team was treated to a feast of watermelons.

“The watermelons were delicious,” said Poplar Bluff senior lineman Dylan Wells, who ate an entire watermelon by himself. “I’m going to take two home and there’s going to be one for my family and one for me.”

Wells added that he thought there was a third watermelon already at his house, but the three would likely be eaten within a day.

The watermelons were provided by the Louis Smith Memorial Fund, which helps fund youth athletics in the area. One of its annual fundraisers is a spring home run derby, held at Strenfel Memorial Field.

The fund purchased 50 freshly picked watermelons from Elite Farm and Produce in Kennett, cut them into quarters for the football team, and watched as the boys happily chowed down.

“When I was in school, all of us were in school the last day of summer camp, Ralph Nunn would have watermelons waiting for the entire football team,” said Chris Smith, one of Louie Smith’s sons and a committee member of the Louie Smith Memorial Fund. “We thought this would be a great way to put ourselves out in the community. Let people know what we’re here to do.”

Poplar Bluff head coach David Sievers, entering his 31st season with the program and second as head coach, believed the tradition was started long ago by Dale Gaebler. When Smith graduated in 2003, it was Nunn keeping the tradition going. This summer, it was the first time Smith and his fellow committee members were chopping up the fruit.

After the football players were finished eating, and after several took home an extra watermelon, there were still enough slices left over for the band members, who were practicing at the same time, to enjoy a slice or two, as well.

The football team cannot practice again until Aug. 12, and will host MICDS at 7 p.m. Aug. 30 to open the season.

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