I grew up in a day when football, especially high school football, was played in the trenches.
The 1970s' glamour formations were the Power I and Wishbone T. Teams won by pounding the rock and pounding the opposition into submission.
It was a slower, more conservative approach to football in a slower, more conservative time in society.
Those of us old enough to remember the 1970s remember a time before personal computers, iPads, iPhones and when a tablet was some form of a notebook with paper rather than another electronic device. We recall a time before cable, satellite television and the Internet made news cycles a 24-7 business.
Back in the day, you were lucky if your favorite college team was on TV more than a couple of times a season. And, if you were like me, a Tennessee fan living in Florida, on a clear autumn or winter night, you would try to pick up the broadcast of your favorite team on an AM radio station 500 miles away.
On those rare occasions today when a Tennessee football or basketball game isn’t on TV, I still might be able to watch it on my computer or cell phone. At worst, I can listen to the podcast.
Yes, it’s more convenient and I’m always in the loop, but there was something magical about hearing John Ward, the Voice of the Volunteers, over the static of a broadcast coming to me from so many miles away. My teenage boy’s imagination could run wild as we listened to the exploits of Stanley Morgan, Larry Seivers and Andy Spiva in their starring roles for the Vols.
Today, the power football of my youth is still around in some vague form at the high school level. But even traditional running teams like Baker School have taken an up tempo approach to the game.
Many offenses have abandoned the huddle as they concentrate on getting the play off in 20 seconds or so. Football seems to have become a fast break sport that reflects our fast break times.
Offenses still try to control the clock and wear down the defense only now they do it by trying to run the other team into the ground rather than pound it into submission.
I miss pure power football and the old three yards and a cloud of dust mentality that many coaches embraced.
In its simplest and purest form football remains a game of hitting, with the team that plays with the best pad level and leverage usually winning. Yes, some teams prefer a pass first attack to the run, but in most games it’s the team that runs the ball the best that wins.
I miss power football and an old AM broadcast across crackling air waves of my favorite team.
Things were simpler then, and, in my opinion, better in some ways as well.
EmailNews Bulletin Sports Editor Randy Dickson, randyd@crestviewbulletin.com, follow him on Twitter @BigRandle or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SIDELINE OBSERVATIONS: Reflecting on simpler times