As the football season began for the Greenbrier West Cavaliers this year, family and friends of the players who passionately follow the team’s success held my attention. The hopes and dreams for this team, and its seniors, included not only breaking a school record for most wins by a class, but going all the way to a state championship.
I work with a proud set of sisters. Sherri Hamrick is the mother of GWHS player Justin Hamrick, and her sister Dee Dee is the aunt. Walking past their desks last year taught me about their love for the West football squad. I couldn’t help rooting for the team, even though I know nothing about football. During away games, the sisters would be planning hotel reservations and travel itinerary.
This year I wanted to meet and interview the team, where I learned of their goals. Taking one game at a time, marching towards the senior class record and becoming the class A state champions was on everyone’s mind. The whole team carries themselves in the most sportsmanlike way, pointing out one another’s strengths, and giving credit to others, is how they roll. The underclassmen wanting their senior teammates to have the record by season’s end made me smile.
Walking by the desks this season has yielded mostly celebratory talk, and midway through the season, the senior class record for most wins was broken. I still do not know anything about football at this point; but I hold my breath for each game wanting them to win. Last weekend they had to play a tough opponent in St. Mary’s.
Corey Cox told me, “We have taken a step up the ladder each week, not looking past any opponent and knowing each game could be our last.” I waited until Monday to find out the news.
The news was of an upset of the higher ranking team last weekend during the second round of playoffs; which moves the team closer to their remaining goal. An 18-0 win over second ranked St. Mary’s means the Cavaliers will play this Saturday in the semifinal against Magnolia. Due to weather issues, what would have been a home game is going to be played at 1:30 PM on the campus of Greenbrier East. Not exactly home, but the Cavaliers have a good rapport with that field.
After upsetting St. Marys, Justin Hamrick says, “Knowing I get to play another week with these guys is the best feeling in the world.”
Here’s to wishing the team yet one more week to play together, huh?
