Big games important part of small town life

Folks are flying high in McCook after an estimated 5,000 people turned out for what was billed as the top game of the season as the Bison extended their winning streak to 35 with Thursday night's 31-21 victory over Holdrege.

McCook High School fans want to keep the euphoria going as they head into the playoffs, probably against Crete on Wednesday afternoon.

Fans are just as high in Hayes Center, Arapahoe and at Southwest High School as their teams advanced in post-season competition.

But even teams that were eliminated Thursday night have a lot to be proud of, knowing that they gave it their all this sports season, and will do the same in the next.

In fact, the high school playoffs could not come at a better time.

We need a diversion from the not-so-good news out of Iraq and Afghanistan and the mind-numbing coverage of the presidential election between Republican incumbent George W. Bush and his Democratic challenger John Kerry.

Many will be relieved once they get through the voting process on Tuesday.

We want to honor the sacrifices that our troops are making, but there has been great loss on all sides in that conflict.

Another common trait that a lot of small communities share is economic hardships in some form or another.

The best medicine for a small community that is struggling economically is a successful athletic program either at the high school level or collegiate level.

Athletic success also gives a community an identity.

When people hear McCook mentioned, Bison football is usually the next thing out of their mouths. The same might be said in Cambridge, with seven state football titles. Athletics and small towns -- a natural fit.