Loss doesn’t define season

Jacob Jenkins (11) embraces Jacob Allan (12) after a heart-wrenching defeat.

There are no moral victories in football.   A win is a win.  A loss is a loss.

But buried within the final scores and the season’s record are hidden gems worth celebrating.

There are big plays.  There are incredible catches.  There are jaw-rattling tackles that bring the crowd to its feet.

The Tomball Cougars Varsity Football team’s 2015 season was filled with those gems.  And with time, the young men who worked so hard for every yard and every inch will look back with pride at what they accomplished.

With a season ending loss to rival Tomball Memorial, the Cougars finished the season 4-6 (2-5 in the district) and missed out on the playoffs. A win would have extended their season.

“I feel devastated knowing we were so close to making it to the playoffs,” senior quarterback Mason Jones said. “We could have prepared for the game better.”

Jamie Hayes, senior kicker, agreed with Jones.  “I was sad about the season ending,” he said.  “It was kind of frustrating to go out this early.”

Still, there were bright moments in the 10-game season.  Consecutive wins against district foes Spring Woods and Brenham put the team in position for a strong finish.

For the seniors, it is especially difficult to gain perspective on the positive moments on the field.

“It didn’t really sink in that that was the end until I looked over at some of my teammates and realized I wasn’t going to be able to play football with them anymore,” senior wide receiver Jacob Allan said.  “That’s when the emotions hit.”

There are no moral victories in football.  But that doesn’t mean we can’t be proud of our classmates for the effort they gave for each other and our school, The Pride of Texas.