Simply put, Kenny Freeman and his posse &8212; known as the Demopolis Quarterback Club &8212; have worked hard over the past year.

Friday night was no different than the rest of the year.

At 5 p.m. on Friday, and with a goal of $13,000 in mind, the group opened the gates at the Demopolis Sports-Plex to host its first rodeo.

The event, complete with a dunking booth, calf scramble, mutton bustin&8217; and all things rodeo proved to be a huge success, even an hour before the actual rodeo started at 8 p.m.

Becky Pettus, who was over the admission gate, estimated that there were somewhere around 1,000 to 1,200 attendees; an exact count was not available at press time.

Different athletic teams, including the DHS cheerleaders, manned all the booths that kept kids entertained until the event started.

It was a complete collaboration of school and community.

Four-year-old Brody Blanton, who was caught enjoying a hamburger before the rodeo, said he was ready to ride a sheep.

Brody&8217;s brother, Braden, seconded that motion.

Causey, who just came off his first season as DHS&8217;s head football coach, stressed the importance of the real reason for the event.

Brian Taylor, a senior wide receiver on the team, agreed with Causey.

For anyone who missed the show last night, you&8217;re not out of luck. Gates open at 5 p.m. tonight, and the show starts at 8 p.m.

Take the kids out and have a buckin&8217; good time.