Background: The East Orange
Jaguars were No. 8 in the power-points standings, but received
the No. 7 seed when West Orange was eliminated from the playoffs
after three of its players were ejected for fighting during their
game with Livingston on Nov. 6, in Livingston. A team is
automatically eliminated from the postseason playoffs if a total
of three players have been disqualified during the season. So,
the Jaguars gained the No. 7 seed in the North Jersey, Section 1,
Group 4 playoffs and was quickly scheduled to play against No. 2
seed Ridgewood in the first round on Nov. 14.
The Cicely Tyson Band quickly
rescheduled to play at Ridgewood and that's why the buses rolled
up to the Ridgewood stadium at noon on Saturday, November 14th.
It was cold and drizzly that afternoon and the
band still doesn't have their official uniforms, but just the
thin nylon warm-up suits to wear against the cold autumn breezes.
Photo by Al-Quadir Marsh.
In an away game, it is customary
for the visitor's band to play a salute to the hosting school and
their band, so the Cicely Tyson band marches around to the home
team side to perform since the playing field is so wet and muddy.
Photo by Al-Quadir Marsh.
Lining up in front of the home
team bleachers and directly in front of the host band, the Cicely
Tyson Band plays several minutes of their favorite pieces. The
little spots in the photo are rain drops on the camera lens that
drizzeled down constantly during the performance.
Photo by Al-Quadir Marsh.
The Ridgewood High School
Marching Band stood respectfully throughout the Cicely Tyson
performance and showed their appreciation by applauding at the
end of each number. I hope the Ridgewood Band had someone video
taping their performances because they played very well and our
band members enjoyed listening to them, as well.
Photo by Al-Quadir Marsh.
Afterwards, the Cicely Tyson Band
marched back around to the visitor bleachers and continued
playing at various times during the game. The video below is in
three parts: the march around to the Ridgewood side; one of the
musical pieces the band played for the Ridgewood hosts; and a
piece the band played in the stands during the game.
Outcome: Because
East Orange won over Ridgewood (26 -20) there will be another
playoff game next Friday, November 20th at 7:00 PM at Passaic
County Tech in Wayne,
NJ. See you there!
Text, photography and videography by Jim
Gerrish and Al-Quadir Marsh. In-stands video by Frederick
Goode.
