It’s a unique challenge when the standard for success is defined solely by winning a state championship. When that becomes the expectation, it can create an unfortunate mindset that anything less is failure—and that those who fall short aren’t worthy of recognition or support.
I’ll give credit where it’s due: over the past two seasons, Aquilla may not have matched Abbott’s level of competitiveness. But that speaks to just how advanced Abbott’s program has become—culturally, systematically, and in overall talent. It’s important to remember that not every community has reached that point yet, and that’s okay. Many schools are doing the right things—building culture, investing in their kids, and striving for excellence—even if they haven’t yet reached that same championship tier.
The reality is, any team still playing on Thanksgiving week or beyond has accomplished something extraordinary. That achievement should never be dismissed simply because their season ended in the quarterfinals, semifinals, or even the state championship game.
Not long ago, the consensus was that Westbrook would three-peat and that Gordon wasn’t ready to compete at that level. But that’s exactly why we play the game—because results aren’t determined by predictions or reputations.
Victory isn’t always measured by the scoreboard. Sometimes, the difference in talent is just too great—and that happens at every level, from high school to the NFL. But those moments can also serve as stepping stones for a program’s growth. Maybe a team overachieved to get where they did, or maybe they’re laying the groundwork to one day defeat the very team that beat them.
What shouldn’t be overlooked is the effort, pride, and commitment of the kids who put on those pads, buy into their program, and represent their community with heart. They deserve respect and recognition for what they’ve achieved, not criticism for falling short of perfection.
Rant over.