Thanks, guys!

Thanks guys. Thanks for the memories.

The Blackhawk football team made it all the way to the state championship final but came up just a little short, eventually settling for the second-place team championship trophy. Though losing to the favored Warren Lumberjacks, the 'Hawks trailed by only a single point midway into the third quarter and had a shot at winning. Turnovers gave the 'Jacks extra chances, and they had the weapons to make the most of them to win the day.

The season is now history, and what a season it has been. The most ever wins in a season (13), the most ever home wins in a season (8), most passing yards in a season (2,090), the most ever rushing yards in a season (3,388), the most touchdowns ever (76), and the best average for all purpose yards per game (446).

While most Blackhawk teams in the past generally had one mega star on the team to spark them, this year's edition had a bunch. Jakota Sainsbury, the first quarterback to exceed 2,000 passing yards in a long time, if not all time. The 'Hawks had not one, but two 1,000-yard rushers in the persons of Zaine Holley (1,590) and Drew Winn (1,386). The Thunder and Lightning combo was joined in eclipsing the 1,000 mark in offense by Hayden Holtgrewe (1,156) who earned his mark in pass catching.

The first team defense was near lights out all year, with a lot of tackles registered on the field. Robby Pickthal led all tackles this year with a whopping 115, followed by Tristan Brewer with 95, Britton Caudill 93, Jacob Torres 91 and Seth Trammel with 80. Before suffering a season ending injury early in the 10th game, Duncan Truesdell was the 'Hawks' leading tackler with 63.

This was the year in which the 'Hawks had the biggest roster in history, with a record number of players seeing action. The season truly was a team effort, both for the squad, and the school, and even the community. They were the the first team from the Ridge to be a part of what I call, the "4A Bowl."

Getting to the state final was the goal of the 'Hawks all year long, as it was their goal since the then sophomores stepped up to the varsity team in 2014. The class of '17 led a series of super successful junior high teams to follow them, with the four classes behind them keeping up the winning tradition. Since that time, Blackhawk football players have come to expect to win, but they have also come to realize and to know to work hard to earn and achieve what they expect.

The increased support and commitment from the school and community has also been key to reaching the level of success the 'Hawks have attained. Better facilities, better exposure and increased vocal support from the stands and from the daily interactions of community life have played their part.

I've been a football fan since my junior high days in the 1960s, and I have been a football writer since the late '60s when I wrote for my high school paper. I had a stint as sports editor for the Harding University newspaper, and I have written off and on as a stringer for the Arkansas Gazette, and several smaller newspapers, most recently The TIMES of Northeast Benton County. Writing this year for the 'Hawks has been the most rewarding experience I have ever had.

Having had most of the present Blackhawk athletes as art students when they were in the elementary, I have always taken a personal interest in their success. I have been around other athletic programs where the athletes weren't the best of students, academically or behaviorally, and the typical 'Hawk athlete here is a credit to his family, his team, his school and his community. By "his." I also mean "her" (I'm not forgetting about you, Miranda).

This year, the team has adopted the habit of bringing the American flag with them into the stadium at the beginning of of each game. Blackhawk players have come by the Primary School in the mornings to greet the younger set as they arrive at school be it by car or bus, which has duly impressed the young students. I have spoken with many an upper elementary football player as they excitedly talked about being allowed to run out onto the field with the varsity team to participate in pre-game warmups on game night.

The class of 2017 compiled an incredible final three year won/loss record of 34-6. By comparison, during that same span of time, fellow 4A-1 conference members Prairie Grove and Shiloh finished 32-7 and 27-11, respectively. Only Warren's three-year record of 37-5 and Nashville's mark of 36-3 topped the Blackhawks total among all schools in the 4A classification.

When all the cheers fade away and the athletes complete their schooling, what then? Does it matter in the long run of life whether a team wins or not?

It is not so much about the wins and losses as it is about the successes. Success, as is failing, is a contagious mindset. Winners like the experience and usually seek to replicate that in whatever challenges that may come their way later in life. It is no accident that a significant number of business and other types of leaders were successful in school activities. I expect the members of the class of 2017 will go on to make a difference and make the successes of their school years extend out into their adult life.

Coach Stephen Neal remarked earlier this season that these 'Hawks will be know for their ability to overcome adversity. As the self-proclaimed psychologist Lucy Van Pelt explained to her client Charlie Brown, "Adversity prepares you for the things in life."

"What things?" Charlie asked.

"More adversity," replied Lucy.

Life is full of adversity and we will be defined for how we respond to that adversity. Sports are a very adversarial activity. Someone wins and someone loses, just like life. As former Razorback coach Nolan Richardson once said "All sickness isn't death" and by that same token, all setbacks aren't permanent. The play and conduct of this year's team said it loud and clear "We won't back down, we won't quit."

Next year's senior class will be starting out with a 24-5 record and they could set an even higher standard for future Pea Ridge grid-iron warriors. But for now, the athletes comprising the 2016 edition of the Blackhawk football team can be referred to perhaps as the greatest generation.

Thanks guys.

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Editor's note: John McGee, an award-winning columnist, sports writer and art teacher at Pea Ridge elementary schools, coaches elementary track and writes a regular sports column for The Times. The opinions expressed are those of the author. He can be contacted through The Times at [email protected].