2014 TIGER FOOTBALL: Wrapping it up We are now more than 24 hours removed from seeing our Tigers’ season end with a bi-district loss Friday night. Though the disappointment will no doubt remain for a period of time, it shouldn’t overshadow another memorable year. Instead of being consumed by what might have been, choose to reflect on the many great things we saw and experienced in the 2014 Tiger Football season. Think back to … • The buzz we all felt as preseason workouts began back in the heat of August. Tiger Football was here; • Being in Emory for the first scrimmage and seeing it all start to unfold in front of our very eyes; • The season opener against Mildred when the clock started running continuously with Tiger domination in the second quarter • Tradition-rich Daingerfield making a Tiger Stadium appearance and leaving as the much-lesser Tiger team on the field that night • Continuing to own Kerens; • Our Tigers taking the field each game carrying a Texas flag and, of course, the Tiger flag; • The eyes of the state being on our little ol’ hometown for the Game of the Week, which was played in front of the largest Tiger Stadium crowd ever; • Each week when the Tigers played a road game we had more fans in attendance than the home team; • Tiger Paws being painted all the way down St. Paul Street from Highway 31 to the stadium; • The many Black and Gold flags waving in the wind downtown in front of businesses and even in front of homes, reflecting the Tiger Pride we all felt; • Fox Sports Southwest bringing its cameras to our campus and games; • Achieving the school’s highest-ever ranking at No. 1 in the highly-regarded Harris rankings and being ranked in the AP Top 10 the majority of the season for only the second time in school history; • Making the playoffs for a 6th straight year, which is now the longest active streak among Henderson County schools. The list could go on and on, but those are just a few things to remind you of the many, many great and prideful moments we just experienced. I’m sure each of you could add others. We should also all think about where we are currently are with our football program. Folks, there’s no denying Tiger Football is now on the map and a respected program … not just one that is a flash in the pan. We have proven staying pour and, without question, have forced our way into the football conversation in the state. That may not seem like much of anything to some of you, but for those of us who lived (and died) through the 2007 and 2008 seasons in which our Tigers were 1-19, losing 18 straight at one time, it’s truly a remarkable rise and accomplishment we have experienced. If you haven’t been keeping score, the Tigers have won 54 of the last 70 games. The turnaround didn’t just happen. It is result of the outstanding coaches we have had the past six seasons and the dedication and commitment of the young men who have donned the Tiger uniforms. Speaking for myself, they have all been a great source of pride to this former Tiger quarterback and I am thankful for what they all have done and meant to this community. Anytime you put the wrap on a football season, it mean’s saying goodbye to a group of seniors. That’s particularly hard this time around, for we truly have an outstanding group of seniors. They have been leaders by their actions on and off the field and have instilled a work ethic and sense of sportsmanship to our younger players. They should leave us with our gratitude and, above all, respect. I feel like these past six football seasons – the 2014 season, in particular – have united this community like never before. Like each Tiger team the past six season carrying on the winning tradition that has been established, it’s up to us to do the same. We must move forward … together! Thank you to our Tigers for another exciting and successful season. Thank you to our fans for your support of our coaches and kids and allowing me to express thoughts from time to time throughout the season. Each year, dating way back decades ago, when I have expressed a few thoughts at the end of a football season, in some form or fashion, I have written “the best is yet to come.” Here, on November 16, 2014, I believe that more than I ever have. GO TIGERS!!! -- BENNY
Posted on: Sun, 16 Nov 2014 16:11:24 +0000
Trending Topics
© 2015