The Richland Springs Coyotes won their match in the State Semi-Final Football game last week and advanced to the big dance, the State Championship 6-Man Football Game to be played in Abilene at Shotwell Stadium this Saturday at 2:00 p.m. When players were asked what playing in a state championship game meant to them, they produced a variety of answers.

Junior spreadback Denim Reeves said, "To me, it means you’ve worked harder than most of the people in the state. It makes you feel like you are actually something, and it feels like you are not going to want to eat again for four days because you are so nervous." This comment prompted junior Tra Williams to say, "It’s exciting…a good feeling!" Junior John Greenwood added, "It’s the greatest feeling in the world. It’s emotional. I cried for a long time."

Two freshmen players who have been moved up to the Varsity team but who have not gotten any actual playing time in the play-off games, offered their thoughts. Ty Mann said, "It is an amazing feeling to get to be on a team that is playing for a state championship. I can’t wait to tell people that I was on this team." Classmate Dillan Parker added, "Possibly getting a state ring my freshmean year feels great."

Thoughts and feelings came rolling out of the mouths of some of the senior players on the team. Brennen McGinty stated, "It’s a dream come true and proves all of our doubters wrong. It’s exhilarating." Then teammate Elbert Thomas chimed in, "It proves that Richland Springs was not finished after the 2007 team." Others agreed that it would be a wonderful feeling to prove that they, too, can win a state championship. The players commented that their team is a group effort, and no one really knows how it feels except the team and its coaches. Stephen Fowler added, "Yes, blue is not a flavor; it’s a color!" As Tommy Hollon said, "It’s an honor to play in the state championship game my senior year. It’s a great way to go out." Stephen Soto-Thornhill said, "Everything is surreal. It makes you feel like you’ve proved yourself. It’s something that only we, the team and coaches, can understand."

When asked about what it took to get to this point in time and in the play-offs, members of the team mentioned these things: watching what you eat and drink, drinking gallons of water, whirlpools, ice baths, hours in the weight room, hours of running, sweat, aches, pains, tears, pulls, cracks, bruises, concussions, rolls and rolls of tape, sacrifices of time with family and friends, sacrifice of time to work at a job, sacrifice of lazy Saturday mornings, sacrifice of any nighttime activities, lots and lots of hard, dedicated practices. Members of the 2010 Coyote Football Team mentioned that all of the hard work and all of the sacrifices have been worth it.

Superintendent Don Fowler complimented the strong football program and observed that it brings a sense of pride to the community. Supt. Fowler commented, "Our students and our town are united in supporting the team’s accomplishments. A state ring will forever be a reminder of success and teamwork. Go Coyotes… Win State!!!"