In Eckleburg's Eyes - 9/22/2008, Part 2

On Friday night, SMA, DBN, CST and I went to Powell High School where we saw the Powell Panthers play the four-time defending state champion Maryville Rebels. This was the second consecutive week that we attended a high school football game. Three Knoxville area school are presently ranked first in the state, including Maryville who tops the teams in 4A.

The game was quite an event. In fact, we have had less difficulty finding parking than for some UT football games. Parking lots were not only full at the school but at most local business. At one point, I thought I could find parking along a hill. The angle was very steep. In fact, I nearly scared SMA and CST to death as they insist that had I not driven off (at their request) the car would have tipped. I laughed at the thought of this all night. I have issues.

There were television cameras on hand and booths fundraising for the school everywhere. The guys bought brownies from the junior class. The softball team had a unique concept, a large screen televsion where students could pay to play Guitar Hero.

The game itself was equally crowded. In fact, we, like many other fans, stood along the rail, as there were no seats in the stands. Actually, SMA, CST, and I stood by the sidelines. DBN was convinced that he could find seating in the bleachers. He did. For himself. He sat in the stands most of the time we were there.

DBN sat in the Powell section by a fan who proclaimed, “If Powell is ever gonna beat Maryvile, this is the year!” Shortly after the game began, he lamented, “we’re gonna get killed.” The game's outcome was that obvious that quickly. We soon decided that if the halftime deficit was 28 or larger, we would leave. We surmised that if Maryville did not take the field on offense, Powell could still not score 28 points against them in a half. They hit the magic number. It was 31-0 at the half and we left.

Powell could not stop Maryville junior Philip Juhlin on the ground, much less his passing. He rushed for 112 rushing yards on 9 carries and a touchdown. He added 98 yards passing on five of nine attempts. He is not even their starter as senior quarterback Aaron Chamberlain is still recovering from an August 17th appendectomy The final score was 45-6. It was Maryville’s 65th win in a row.

After the game, we became perhaps the only people in the south to follow a high school football game by going to a Vietnamese restaurant. We went to T. Ho Vietnamese Bistro (815 Merchants Drive), the only Vietnamese restaurant in the Knoxville area. None of us had ever eaten there previously.

T. Ho is a small eatery located in a strip plaza. It seats about fifty and has a modern atmosphere after a December 2005 renovation. It is a family owned business. Thanh Ho and his family escaped Vietnam in 1979 and fled to the Philippines after a 12-day boat journey. They moved to the United States in 1980 and opened T. Ho Vietnamese and Oriental Restaurant on Broadway in 1986 before moving to its present location in 1987. When the restaurant opened they served native dishes prepared by the family matriarch. The restaurant changed its name to T. Ho Bistro in February 2006. In October 2006, Ho's sons, Thuc and Thoia Ho, opened The Pint House adjacent to the restaurant.

We asked our server for suggestions and she recommended the Country Style Vietnamese Crepe (Banh Xeo) and the Special T Ho Grilled Meatball Wraps. SMA and I selected the latter, while DBN and CST selected the former. We all enjoyed our meal. After sampling both, we preffered the crepe - filled with shrimp, chicken, onions, mushrooms, and beansprouts. All entrees come with a spring roll, which tasted great. We would not, however, recommend the egg drop soup. Read: understatement.

The T. Ho Bistro is closed on Mondays and open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Friday, 5-10 p.m. Saturday and noon-9 p.m. Sunday.

We had a good evening. We actually passed an office for Frontier Communications in Powell. DBN had his fifth interview with them on Wednesday (September 17th) with a sixth scheduled for the follwing Wednesday. The company is interviewing three applicants for two positions with jobs in Crossville and Cookeville. DBN would prefer Crossville as it is closer to Knoxville. The start date is October 5th so he should know soon. Keep this opportunity in your prayers.

On Friday night, I did miss a family gathering at The Chop House. I missed you guys!