Allen football team’s motto is “Start Strong, Finish Strong”…and they certainly did. Players, family, friends, local media and community leaders came together for the celebration Sunday, January 18th. I arrived at the Eagle’s football stadium around 12:30pm to witness school faculty, coaches, the school band and Cowboy inspired cheerleaders busily setting up for their own portion of the celebration. The school’s public affairs director, Tim Carroll, excitedly escorted me to the field where a massive deflated, blow up tunnel eagle lay as well as a main stage with 200+ red, white and blue balloons netted down, awaiting their release. As time passed, more and more people began to swarm toward the stadium. Tables were being set up to buy commemorative Eagle’s shirts, hats, key chains, etc.
The Eagles had a stellar season with a nearly perfect record of 15-1. They finished the season by grasping the 5A state title against powerhouse, High Tower. The Eagles came back after a 0-7 deficit at halftime and won with a score of 21-14.
As the 2:00pm start time neared, hoots and hollers were heard from the nearby locker room inhabited by players and coaches, getting hyped for the celebration. The band began to play as the massive team walked across the parking lot onto the field. A big entrance was definitely expected by the looks of the inflated eagle tunnel and the rows of cheerleaders that formed a path for the players and coaches. The team finally came running out of the tunnel wearing their newly acquired MaxPreps Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard commemorative t-shirts. The players all marched towards the stage which held both their 5A state title trophy and the honorable Minuteman Tour of Champions national ranking trophy. Everyone took their seat and anxiously awaited the national anthem that was beautifully sung by school faculty member, Justin Esparza.
A number of speakers followed, including Mayor Steve Terrell, all citing the team’s hard work throughout the season and how proud the community is to be associated with the renowned state champions. Close to the end of the ceremony, MaxPreps representative, Sam Ritter was introduced who spoke of Allen’s impressive ranking of 5th in the country out of 17,000 high school football teams in the U.S.! Ritter then went on to discuss the parallels between the player’s dedication to the team and their community and a National Guardsmen dedication to their country and fellow Guardsmen. Ritter then introduced National Guardsman Master Sergeant Jeffrey Forbish who initiated a standing ovation. Master Sergeant Forbish riled up the crowd at first by reeling off some impressive team statistics and then reminded the team to acknowledge the support of their friends and family by awarding them a round of applause. Master Sergeant Forbish carried on by calling down the coach Tom Westerberg to hand off the Minuteman trophy. Coach Westerberg held the trophy proudly, while the crowd went wild. The ceremony concluded with the 5A state title trophy that was also handed off to Coach Westerberg. The balloons were released that formed a floating sea of red, white and blue while the players, friends and family rushed the field to again congratulate the team.
The event ended with team pictures on the stage including the players, Coach Westerberg, Master Sergeant Forbish, MaxPreps rep Sam Ritter and of course the Minuteman trophy. The event turned out to be a memorable community affair that I’m sure the players will never forget. I wish the Eagles good luck in the years to come!