After the fourth quarter whistle at the end of every Montesano Bulldog varsity football game, there is a fifth quarter. The Fifth Quarter is an after-game event held at the nearby Montesano Church of God, where volunteers put out a spread for hungry teens.

The Fifth Quarter began in Montesano in the fall of 2011 when a visiting pastor tossed the idea out to the congregation. Dr. David New served as an interim pastor while regular Church of God pastor Marc Rice was on sabbatical, Tim Crass, Fifth Quarter organizer said.

New said the Fifth Quarter had been a success at another Church of God and the church-goers gave it a try. It seemed like a good idea, said Crass, with the school so close to the church.

Crass said that the first Fifth Quarter was not very well attended, but one of the Monte assistant coaches, a nephew of Crass’s, implored his players to attend.

“We had about a dozen kids — mostly football players. He kind of pushed the team to go,” Crass said.

In the years since, the program has grown and these days Crass said about 100 to 120 kids attend after every Friday night home game.

“Over time, it has grown to exceed 100 kids and its nothing more than a place to hang out and we feed them,” Crass said.

The numerous volunteers arrange everything before the first students — usually a younger crowd — trickles in at about 9:15. A surge of older kids arrives around 9:30 and by 10:30, the students are headed out the door. Some parents pop in and even students from opposing teams have stopped in.

“We don’t push a program or activities or anything like that,” Crass said. “We usually offer a trinket, like a wrist band, cow bell or something like that. This week we have dog tags and once, we had hackey sacks.”

The trinkets are often inscribed with the phrase, “May God bless the Bulldogs.” It’s a phrase that Crass says at the Fifth Quarter.

“We usually have a few announcements and a short prayer and I end with ‘May God bless the Bulldogs,’” Crass said. “I don’t mean it like God should have the Bulldogs win or anything like that. I mean it individually. God bless each Bulldog. Each kid.”

Crass said that the Fifth Quarter could only be accomplished with the help of the many volunteers who give their time, money and effort.

“Can’t stress enough the great group of volunteers that make the program work!” he said in a later email. “We couldn’t do it without them.”

Typically, a volunteer will select the menu, shop and cook. Crass said the church offers reimbursement but the volunteers do not generally accept the money. The booster club contributed money this year and other individuals have donated to the program.

The food offered has included just about everything, Crass said, such as hot dogs, pizza, chicken nuggets, nachos and spaghetti.

Crass said the church had tried to institute Fifth Quarters for other sports but the timing and attendance didn’t work out.

“…the reason we stick to football exclusively, is that it has just worked. The Friday night vibe, the attendance, etc. has just fit so much better than any attempt we made for basketball and volleyball seasons,” Crass said.

The students make it easy for the volunteers. Every Fifth Quarter, students thank the volunteers and offer appreciation for the effort made on their behalf. Parents, too, have expressed appreciation — they know the kids are in a safe place where they can socialize and have a bite to eat.

“I know they’re not angels all the time, but when they are here, they are respectful and well-behaved,” Crass said. “We’ve just had a great time doing it. We just really enjoy it.”