Lose the Game, Lose the Lights

I am grateful to Bill Martin (Class of 93, Mt. Vernon H.S.) for taking the time to type this one up and e-mail it to me. I still encourage anyone else with a Ferg Story to type it up and either e-mail it to me, or submit it in the space provided on my online survey form. Remember, I take any Ferg story, whether it be High School or College. This will allow Ferg's acquaintances from either place to hear Ferg stories that they may have never heard before.

This story of the week involves many heartbroken Mt. Vernon Township High School students who had just witnessed a heartbreaking loss to Benton's basketball team. The reason that this epic saga is a candidate for a good Ferg story is because our hero was right in the middle of things, probably the moreso than anyone else involved.

This story took place in December of 1990, as two carloads full of MTVHS took the trek down to Benton with hopes of watching Jamar Sanders and Adrian Davis and company crush those pesky Rangers who starred an immortal known as JoJo Johnson and two eight feet tall twins known as the Peters brothers.

One car of heroes consisted of myself, Ferg, Eric Riggan and Mark Swan. A second car contained legends by the names of Zack Walton, Matt Marvel, Jeff Taylor, and R.J. Wood. While driving into Benton, we passed the downtown square which was beautifully lit up with an array of Christmas lights. Ferg and I quickly realized that in the event of a Rams loss that night to Benton, that the town square lights must be removed.

Sure enough, Mt. Vernon was killed, much to the embarrassment and amazement of its loyal following. As the final minutes ticked off the clock, Ferg began to chant "LOSE THE GAME, LOSE THE LIGHTS. LOSE THE GAME LOSE THE LIGHTS!" The chant quickly picked up with the Mt. Vernon crowd, even though most did not realize what the hell they were chanting. Ferg has that kind of power over people.

As soon as the game was over, the two carloads of warriors mentioned before quickly ran out to their cars began formulating a plan of attack. We decided that everyone except the drivers of the cars would jump out and attack the Christmas lights by either pulling them out of the trees, or more importantly, by locating the power source and cutting it off. Meanwhile, the drivers would circle the Benton square until the deed was done, and we would all rush out of town.

As we left the high school, and approached the square, a minor problem began to develop: The square was packed full of cars who left the basketball game. Some began to chicken out and abort the mission, but it was Ferg who urged everyone to press on, and so we did. With traffic at a standstill, all passengers of the cars quickly barrelled out, and sprinted up to courthouse which sits on the square. While everyone was running around jerking lights out of trees and bushes, Ferg and I finally located the power source, and shut the lights completely down. Meanwhile, everyone circling the square was honking and yelling and pointing, obviously in disbelief that this was happening right before their eyes. Finally we all jumped back in the cars, and quickly sped out of town, and we're even chased by a few angry citizens of Benton. It was a crazy night and a great accomplishment. None of it would have taken place if it weren't for Ferg's persistence to vandalize. Ferg, we love you man!

Editors note:
As an interesting side note to this story, as the get away cars were circling the town square, Jeff "Chuck" Taylor attempted to get into one of them. Unfortunately, an old lady was driving a car very similar to one of the get away vehicles, and Chuck just hopped in with her. Needless to say, Chuck was almost as shocked as the old woman.