We're still trying to digest the feast of wild football games over the Thanksgiving Day weekend.

The Oklahoma State-Oklahoma game turned into a track meet, and the KU-Missouri game not only had one of the more thrilling finishes of any college game this season, but every time the 'Hawks are on TV, it gives us another chance to watch and cheer for KU tailback and Salinan Jake Sharp.

But none of these games can match what was -- once again -- accomplished by the Redmen of Smith Center. The team clinched its fifth straight 2-1A state football championship. Five straight state titles is an incredible feat, but it's more impressive how they did it.

According to Journal reporter Larry Moritz's story in the Sunday edition, the team Smith Center beat, Olpe (Lyon County), was 13-0. Olpe had given up only 63 points all season. The most any team had scored against them was 14. Smith Center went out and hung 48 on them. Olpe managed 19 points.

Smith Center not only was undefeated for the season, it's won 67 games in a row, a state record. Think about this: The 15 seniors on the team have never been on the wrong end of a high school football game.

What does it mean to be a five-time state champion? It's one of those things that means nothing, and it means everything.

Winning a state title, or multiple state titles, gives the town a lot of enjoyment, something to look forward to and talk about, and a shared sense of community pride.

But no amount of state titles will help you on a college test, to understand algebra, rebuild a motor, harvest a wheat crop or tend to a sick child. When you strip away everything else, it's just a game. Win or lose, the sun is going to come up in the east the next day.

But the titles also can mean everything because of the lessons we hope players and parents take from these games. Set goals, work hard, work together, chase your dreams, be there for others and they'll be there for you.

Have pride in your accomplishments, but be humble. A state title, or five of them, and a dollar will get you a cup of coffee.

Congratulations to the Smith Center players. What you've accomplished is quite a start in life, but it's not the finish.

-- Ben Wearing

Executive Editor

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