It happens every season. Two teams started out their season with lofty expectations of winning a championship. They reap a reward of advancing to the state playoffs by virtue of winning their district or finishing second place. It is a well deserved privilege to advance into a tournament that will pit the best of the best against each other until there are only two teams left vying to be Champions. Modern day gladiators, they are put on stage for the entire world to watch. On that fate filled day, one team will realize great triumph with a victory while tragedy falls upon the team that falls in defeat.
Many will read this and say the description is too harsh. Perhaps it is but I tell you the members that do not win on that day feel like they have been shot in the gut at close range. Yes, they should realize that it is a wonderful thing to have played at that level for truly it is. With time, they will hopefully realize, it was a significant accomplishment to just be in that venue.
December 13th, 2008 such a thing happened. The Borden County Coyotes defeated the Woodson Cowboys 54 to 8 in the Division 2 State Championship and a couple of hours later Strawn defeated Follett in the Division 1 State Championship. For Woodson, the loss was the second year in a row that they advanced to the finals and left without what they had come for. There are many teams that envy the Cowboys two straight appearances in the Championship game. The hurt remains. Follett closed a wonderful season with their first appearance in a Six-Man Championship. They had lost to Strawn 46-0 earlier in the year and were beaten this game 58 to 29. A much better showing but the hurt remains.
Borden County and Strawn with their victories were able to claim the prize and joy of being crowned State Champions. It happens every year that there are victors and those who fall in defeat. Next season will be no different. Prepare now.
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