It all started as a joke.  It ended up turning into a ritual that saw its final 2014 appearance prior to the Bridgeport boys’ team capturing the Class AA-A cross country championship Saturday.

 

The “it” involves a potato on a pointed stick with feathers that resembles in a much less fancy way the same spear used by the Florida State Seminoles’ mascot prior to each home game. Yes, that’s right, a potato.

 

So what does it mean? What special powers does it possess?

 

It really doesn’t mean anything. As for special powers, the potato is high in carbohydrates and potassium.

 

Seriously, it really doesn’t mean a thing, yet it’s served as a rallying point for the cross country program this year. And it proves that nothing can actually mean something when that nothing is aimed at what prep sports is really about – having fun.

 

Before going further, know that the origin of the potato stick isn’t nearly as complex as the origin of the potato itself. Actually, the origins are about as simple as origins can get. According to Senior Michael Duez, it really is nothing more than a thought turned into a joke turned into acting on the joke turned into a new and maybe even one-year tradition.

 

“The team was joking before the season about having something that would make us stand out,” said Duez. “(Junior) Ian (Frailey) said we should have a potato and put it on a stick. For some reason, we all laughed and we all kind of liked it.”

 

Understand that from that initial thought to where it was today, there was a transformation. Not a transformation in the form of those who believe man eventually became upright from the apes. This transformation is one measured in months as opposed to millenniums.

 

Early on the premise was simple. A potato and a skewer – the kind one might use for a shish kabob – was employed. From there, Duez considered using a metal flag pole, but something bigger was eventually used to hoist the mighty potato.

“I saw a Florida State game and thought with our Indian background that we could show it off in a similar manner,” said Duez.

 

And the potato had come full circle. From skewer to feathered spear, its final configuration had arrived. The potato was now as much a part of the team’s fabric as Coach Jon Griffith.

 

“I remember that first meet people didn’t know what to think. People were staring at us; even some members of our own team,” said Duez. “Everyone soon realized it was nothing more than a joke and was meant for fun.”

 

Fun that now has a name – the Potato Gang. And its own Twitter account by the way that you can follow @BHSXCPotatoGang.

 

While the evolution of the potato was in full force, it not only caught the attention of the team and opponents, but Griffith. Griffith, who has decades of coaching under his belt, knows to always keep a close eye on anything before giving it a thumbs up.

 

“At first I was a little concerned about the whole thing, but now I am 100 percent behind (it),” said Griffith. “They have used it to promote leadership and team unity.  How could I not be in favor of that?”

 

As for official duties, the potato stick does have a few. Duez said they use it to mark where their tent will be set up for meets as well as being stuck in the ground to mark the box where the team starts its races. That’s followed by a group circle, inspirational (or maybe even a few nonsensical) comments inside the circle followed by an individual running around the outside of the circle. Yea, that’s been the ritual.

 

Is that to appease the potato? Nope. Duez insists it has no magical powers (proof comes in the fact that there have been occasions when a potato has been left behind in Bridgeport while the feathered spear makes the trip) that aid the team, but it’s hard to argue this year’s boys' team has not been magical. For the second straight year, not a single Class AA or Class A team beat the Tribe. In fact, only a setback to University blemishes this year’s record. 

 

That begs the question again. Is it because of the potato? While Duez dismisses it, watch the video below. It’s obvious that the kids are having fun. And while I’m no expert on the rigors of cross country and what goes through the minds of those competing, this certainly seems like something that would eliminate any pre-race jitters.

 

“The Potato Gang idea is really up there for odd things I have seen in my many years of coaching.  It started very simply with a potato on a wooden shish kabob stick.  Over the first few meets it evolved into a more elaborate symbol of our team unity,” said Griffith.

 

That team unity was on display for the final time this year yesterday at Cabell Midland High School. Although not garnering its own recognition, the potato was key. In fact, it probably should get a promotion to a sweet potato.

 

Even though it’s just a joke, it’s turned out to be a pretty good one. In fact, the punchline to the joke is a state championship.

 

Click HERE for the story on the team capturing the state title Saturday.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Michael Duez leading the charge with the team's favorite spud prior to a recent meet, while the potato and spear also holds a place of honor during the team's pre-meet prayer. The logo is the one that can be found on the group's official Twitter page, while the flag and a fresh spud were on display at yesterday's state title win at Cabell Midland High School.