For those of us who have children or grandchildren, do you remember those first little steps? Wobbly, unsure, and sometimes funny. Especially if your child had a big head and a tiny body trying to balance against the odds. There was stumbling, there was falling, but there was also something more important, progress. Each step, shaky or not, was a step forward. That’s where our Tigers are right now. The last two games have been eye-opening. Against Gatesville, I half-joked about writing “no comment” to sum it all up. Watching the boys go into the locker room at halftime on Friday, heads low, with a big zero still staring at us from the scoreboard, was tough. If you’re like me, you might’ve felt that frustration bubbling, picturing Homer Simpson grabbing Bart by the neck. But here’s the truth: frustration is natural when you’re watching growth in real time. Growth doesn’t always look pretty. It often looks like struggle. But patience, my dear friends. Patience. This team is learning, step by step. What I saw in the fourth quarter was more than just football, it was a glimpse into the future. The fight, the grit, the refusal to roll over. These boys showed that when things seem bleak, they still have the fire to come together as one. That’s not something you can coach in a week, it comes from trust, from time, from being in the fire together. And here’s what gives me hope: there’s no selfishness on this roster. Nobody is chasing the spotlight, nobody is looking to be the lone star. They want to grow together, they want to succeed together. That kind of culture; selfless, unified, determined, is the foundation of greatness. The leadership of guys like Chase, Kaden, and Clark is steady. The experience of Ribitzki, Douglas, Marrs, Shannon, and Males gives this team the backbone it needs. They’re guiding the younger players, encouraging them, showing them the standard. With that kind of leadership, the others will rise. So yes, right now it might feel like those first steps; wobbly, frustrating, maybe even a little hard to watch. But those steps are necessary. Because before long, those small steps turn into strides, and those strides turn into a sprint. This program has seen its share of young teams before. Seasons that began with slow starts, frustrating nights, and moments that tested our patience. But history has also shown us something important. Those same teams grew. They matured, they gained confidence, and they laid the groundwork for the success stories that came after. What we’re seeing right now is no different. Yes, it’s a young team. Yes, there will be growing pains. But beneath the miscues and the struggles is something much bigger: progress. Every snap, every quarter, every game is adding to their experience. Every stumble is a lesson. We are watching the foundation of a team that will become great. To the parents, grandparents, fans, and community: hold the line. Be patient. Keep showing up, keep encouraging, keep believing. The bloom is coming, and when it does, it’ll be worth every stumble we’ve seen along the way. The Tigers are growing, and greatness takes time. But make no mistake, it’s coming.