Throughout the school the anticipation for the Football State Championship game was massive, and the matter of the Semifinal Round against the Graham Steers was, for some, of little concern with the confidence that the Steers were simply a stepping stone in the path to that final, glorious game. And by the night’s end, Saturday Dec. 14, those sentiments would prove to be justified.
But the game began uncertainly. Senior Cole Hedlund kicked it off, literally, in typical fashion with a touchback for the Steers, but Graham pulled together a powerful offensive in their first drive and stepped within 21 yards of the goal zone. The defense was tight, allowing only one opening in the first quarter for Taylor Sweatt to sack the QB. But soon DB Dalton Ledford intercepted a pass amidst hissing and cheers, and the combination of Ian Sadler, Jon Pucciarello, and Nick Ralston hit the Steers like a storm. Ralston scored the first touchdown of the night, and the first quarter passed with the Eagles leading 7-0.
Hunter Treadwell helped widen the gap early on in the second quarter by intercepting a pass thrown by the steers and running 38 yards for the touchdown. Colten Katzen and Micah Capra defended ferociously against Graham’s runs, as did Sweatt, Reese Thompson, and Reagan Page, the last of whom managed to sack the Steers’ QB from behind. Connor Wilson ran into the end zone and put a further seven points on the scoreboard, while later he also intercepted a pass by the Steers. By halftime, the boys were leading by a solid three unanswered touchdowns.
In the third quarter, the boys proved the merits of excellent team unity as Sadler ran down the field with help from his teammates’ superb coverage. Ralston racked up two straight touchdowns, putting the Eagles at 35 points to 0. The Steers scored their first touchdown in the third quarter and their other in the fourth, while a final field goal from Hedlund caused the final score of the game to rest at 38-14. Yet before the game could end, Connor Wilson pulled one last stunt and returned what appeared to be a clearly dead ball all the way down the field to the 8 yard line before the Steers realized what had happened.
The players, the coaches, the parents, the fans, the school, and the community of Argyle all aspired for the championship game at Cowboy Stadium, and now that dream has been realized just as it was two years ago. The road has been tough, but the last fight comes this Friday, Dec. 20, at 4 p.m. against the undefeated Fairfield Eagles. Will the boys take home the championship trophy that eluded them before? The ultimate victory is within their reach now. So come out to Cowboy Stadium in Arlington and cheer on the team!
