Courtesy Pleasant Grove
For the third year in a row, the Pleasant Grove Hawks are playing for the Class 4a State Football Championship at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.
There will be a big sendoff for the team this Thursday at 12:30 from the parking lot behind the Athletic Center at the High School. The public is encouraged to be there to wish them well as they hit the road for the final time this year, and in the Senior players case, the final time in their high school career.
The Hawks will take on Wimberley at AT&T Stadium on Friday with the kickoff at 3pm. Before we look at the Championship Game let’s look back at the big victory over previously unbeaten Midland Greenwood.
The Hawks jumped out to an early lead, despite some injuries and illnesses. Greenwood fought back to make it a game early in the 3rd Quarter before Quarterback Ben Harmon and his crew broke it open to win 48-20.
Hawks Head Coach Josh Gibson had this to say about it all. “We played really well, especially considering the fact that 3 of our top running backs were either injured or sick. We had some kids step up and make some big plays. I was proud of how we played in all 3 phases of the game.”
As far as a couple of the injured players, we ask Gibson the status of Bruce Garrett and Nick Martin heading into the title game. “Hoping to get both of them back. It’ early, but we are optimistic.”
Wimberley is the opponent, and while there is no athlete like Jordan Whittington,awaiting the Hawks this year, they do have talent, including a big time Quarterback. Gibson has this to say about Wimberley. “They have a great team. Their offense is extremely efficient with one of the bet QB’s in the state leading them. They have a very good RB and good receivers as well. As any team that advances to state, they are playing REALLY good football right now.”
The 3rd straight appearance in the Championship Game is something that most players and coaches could only dream about. The relevance of this is not lost on the coach. “We are extremely blessed and proud for our kids, coaches, school district and community. This run is a rarity. We are 16-1 the last 3 years in the playoffs alone. This will be our 18th playoff game in 3 seasons. Our kids have basically earned 2 extra seasons. We are thankful that they’ve spread the PG brand and represented our district in exemplary fashion.”
Every Senior class is special in it’s own way, but this group is the first that started the 7th grade football when Coach Gibson arrived at PG. We asked him about the special nature of this group and this bond. “This Senior class is extremely special. I could write a book about this group and still not say enough about them. Their accomplishments on the field are unbelievable, but their IMPACT in our school and the way they carry themselves is even more special. I love this group so much and know that we will continue these relationships even when the season is over.”
In the stories I have written about Coach Gibson and his teams over the years since he arrived I have said over and over again that it is like family. Coach Gibson has instilled that feeling from the start and that’s one of the big reasons why they have been so successful. That and the hard work and determination and talent it all takes to pull off what they have achieved, especially since 2017.
That 2017 went 16-0, a perfect season, a championship season. Last year they fell one victory short of their goal, mainly because of a superior athlete by the name of Jordan Whittington.
And now in 2019, here they are trying to win the State Championship for 2 out of the last 3 years. They are truly special. The only other Texarkana football team to make it to 3 straight Championship games was the Swede Lee coached Arkansas High Razorbacks back in the 1970’s.
Despite the fact that the Hawks are banged up in some key positions, you have to feel that this team that is on a mission, that this team that is coached by the best high school football coach in the state of Texas, that this team that has the Quarterback with the most heart in the state, will not be denied.
We just want these players and coaches to know that Hawk Nation and Texarkana as a whole is proud of you and what you stand for, both on and off the field.
Good luck Hawks!!!