Opinion

Bison football accomplishments very rare in the sports world

Wednesday, November 24, 2004
J. Parker Adair/McCook Daily Gazette McCook High School junior tailback Brendan Liess (44) gets ready to take a pitch during Saturday's Nebraska Class B state championship game against Lincoln Pius X at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. Blocking on the play is senior tight end Zach Volquardsen (1). McCook lost to Pius 14-9. Liess, who gained 50 yards in the game, rushed for 1,862 yards this season.

LINCOLN -- "Celebrate what you've accomplished."

McCook head football coach Jeff Gross kept repeating himself.

"You've just accomplished a great feat."

The team fell just short in a heartbreaking state championship final to Lincoln Pius X 14-9.

"You accomplished so much," he said. "Be proud of that."

He was right. The Bison have accomplished a lot. When players and fans look back on the last three years, they will see a 38-game win streak and three straight trips to the title game.

Millard North only took one title in its three final games since 2002.

They lost this year to Omaha Creighton Prep which leads me to believe there was some sort of Catholic revenge.

Norfolk Catholic, North Platte St. Patrick's and Lindsay Holy Family also had a little divine inspiration on their sideline.

It is never easy to stand there after a loss, especially a big one, but somebody had to.

Last year, the Bison beat Omaha Roncalli, ending the Catholic school's perfect bid.

This year, McCook faced another 12-0 Catholic school in Pius. While the Bison had great speed and skills, The Thunderbolts stood like the Himalayas, but ran like the Nile.

Nobody can fault anyone on the McCook sideline, as they treated fans to one of the most exciting games in the history of high school football.

Several NSAA representatives on the sidelines kept saying what a great game it was.

The countless photographers and reporters mentioned it too.

Two days later, ESPN radio was talking about what an outstanding game that final was.

The team even got love from the referees. That is something to be proud of.

After the game, one official talked to me about the few flags that were thrown during the game.

He sang praises of the players, saying how well the players performed physically and within the rules.

The Bison oozed class even in defeat. As the Pius sideline celebrated the win, McCook players took a knee, watching its opposition.

It was seeing the flipside of the coin for the first time. They got a glimpse of what they have been doing over the last three seasons.

It was like the bully that finally got hit. Being on the other side hurts.

By watching the celebration, a hunger was born inside the players.

For three years, the hunger has been rewarded with a state title in a Pavlovian-like effect. At the bell, the food dish was not present this time. McCook will have a greater hunger next year. Like the Snickers commercial says, "Hungry? Why wait?"

Next year is a new year. More seniors will graduate, but a great core will return. The Bison sideline resembled the set following a sitcom series finale.

After that battle, Hawkeye and Trapper John were needed on the sideline. I think I saw Father Mulcahy on the opposite bench.

So, as the series ends, perhaps it will breed a successful spin-off. Happy Days began as an episode of Love American Style.

Nine more spin-offs came out of that line including Laverne and Shirley, Joanie Loves Chachi and Mork and Mindy (which spawned the career of Robin Williams).

The players, fans and coaches have something to be proud of.

A great team combined with a great group of fans. Both acted with class and dignity, something not often seen in sports.

In Native American cultures, the white buffalo is something rare and honored as an incredible gift. What a fitting logo.

E-mail J. Parker Adair with your comments at sports@mccookgazette.com

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