50. Front Yard Football Field and the Ole Miss Rebelettes

Photo Courtesy of Jim Roberts / HottyToddy.com

Kick Off Jake Lockhart’s 12th Birthday Party Sunday

When Jake Lockhart plays flag football with his brother, Will, he can make a 30 yard run across yard markers to the end zone or even kick a field goal through the uprights.

And Sunday, the Ole Miss Rebelettes will be on the miniature field to help celebrate Jake’s 12th birthday, all in his front yard at 3002 Highland Circle in Oxford.

Jake has a scaled down football field in his front yard that was constructed by family friend, Rich Joyce.

“I won a drawing at the St. John’s Catholic Church for a fund raising event for the Clayton Stevens Fund., The prize was a visit by the Ole Miss Rebeletts,“ said Jake’s mom, Isabel Lockhart.

“I invited the Rebelettes to come to Jake’s birthday party from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday and then our friend Rich Joyce added a football field for the kids to enjoy and make the event complete,” she said.

Carl “Buddy” Lockhart, Isabel, Jake, and younger brother Will, moved to Oxford about a year ago after a four year assignment in Canada. “This year will be the first time the kids can play tag football and they are so excited,” Isabel said. Buddy Lockhart joined the FMC staff and travels all over the world but he will be home for the birthday kick-off Sunday.

John McCurdy, developer of the Highlands Community, said neighbors were a bit startled by the large white field goal made of PVC pipe when it went up in the Lockhart’s yard. “People were asking what was going on.” McCurdy said.

Joyce, the “contractor” for the temporary football field, had experience making miniature fields for his children and other neighborhood kids. He constructed miniature football fields at his home in Kansas City before the family moved to Oxford and the Highlands year ago. “The football field became something of a Thanksgiving tradition and the children really enjoyed it,” Joyce said.

The Lockhart field slopes down on one side, following the contours of the front yard, and only indicates a field of 30 yards but otherwise it simulates a real field with yard markers, goal posts and REBELS painted in the end zone.

“We are all excited to have the Rebelettes attend the party. They are going to perform a little and autograph calendars for all the children,” she said.

As the Rebels take on Texas Saturday, the Lockhart boys will be warming up for a Sunday afternoon kick off on their front yard football field, complete with cake, presents and the Ole Miss Rebelettes on the sideline.

Jim Roberts, staff writer, HottyToddy.com