You do not have to wait long on social media to find out whether the Tigers win on any given Friday. Like wildfire, the news spreads and people proudly post their congratulations to our boys in red. Like nosey neighbors, everyone frantically stalks social media to feed that Tiger Spirit addiction we are all in need of this time of year. My name is Rick, and yes, I am addicted. If I am not able to feed my high school football dependence, you might catch me eating air biscuits on Lancaster Street in Fort Worth. When the season ends, and inevitably it will, you may catch me curled up on the 50-yard line of Tiger Stadium screaming for Coach Watkins to console my desire for more football. College and NFL are for the birds. It just is not the same. All joking aside, we are about to embark on the last of lasts for some of these boys. We are at zero wins and zero losses for the Glen Rose Tigers and ready to start on a whole level of emotional driven anxiety that for most of us, impacts our physical and mental abilities to process our day-to-day activities. Prepare yourselves folks, we are on that last trek of the summit, where every step, hurdle, and potential injury can tumble us right off the side of this climb. Time to buckle those bootstraps, tighten the gear, and prepare for an unwavering, merciless fight for the top of the summit. Personally, it was a battle during this week against Dunbar, stuck in a classroom setting renewing my well control certification and processing through algebraic calculations while honing my skills to become a better asset. However, who wants to run calculations when you know the highlight of your week is watching the last home game of the year and the absolute dominance to yet another Fort Worth ISD team. One thing we have learned this past two weeks, Glen Rose shows up to support their own. It was heartbreaking to see zero fans on the visitor side at the start of the game. I was so relieved when a dozen people showed up and then eventually their band. I hate to see the schools who do not support their children like we do. I hope all our Tigers, whether football players or student section fanatics, see the love we have for them and the commitment Glen Rose portrays to its own. I cannot even wrap my mind around the series of unfortunate events that plagued the Dunbar Wildcats. I would be amiss to not acknowledge that they were at least able to contain themselves and dispel their ability to rack up a plethora of unsportsmanlike fouls. However, instead of aiming their frustrations at the Tigers, the victims became themselves. In a fury-filled fight amongst each other, the obvious frustration resulted in a gruesome injury to one of their own. Are you confused yet? I know I was. We can only hope that one day FWISD can focus less on rulemaking and more on uplifting the spirit that undoubtedly has the ability to bring hope to young men’s lives. I hope our boys can see the difference between these past two schools and realize just how blessed they are to be a part of such a great community. When the argument of the week is whether not the tower needs to be lit up for a certain accomplishment, it just goes to show the boxing gloves were willing to adorn in support of our Tigers of all ages! Friday’s game was nothing short of phenomenal teamwork, accompanied by a lot of pride for a lot of these seniors who played their last home game of their high school career. As with any reign throughout history, eventually empires always fall. Not today, though; nine consecutive years of undefeated district championships! I’ve been blessed to witness the Watkins/Pair era of Tiger Football begin nine years ago and to have seen these boys grow each year has been such an honor. These boys were in fourth grade when Coach Watkins took the program over and its noteworthy to mention how well this program has built generations of young athletes into the men that battle on Friday nights. Congratulations to all of the Seniors for your integrity and loyalty to the program. Your character shines brightly knowing you made it to the end, never giving up, and always sticking to the program. Kudos to you boys! Play each game going forward as if its your last. Cherish every yard, down, touchdown, and team prayer; for these memories define so much of your character and growth as a man. Play with heart and passion, allowing each tick of the clock represent your dedication to your brothers beside you. Enjoy each minute, and work toward that summit that each of you wanted so badly this year. You got this! I have contemplated for days on just how I could orchestrate the correct words to portray the sorrow we have experienced for the Randall family. Lucas Randall was in an unfortunate accident and passed last Sunday, leaving behind a precious family to grieve. My heart weeps for his cheer daughter and football son. I hope they know the enormous Glen Rose family that is behind them. Lucas loved his children dearly and always supported every endeavor, whether it was on the field or in the ag barn, he was there. We pray that God’s hands of comfort envelop their hearts and minds during this time and His love carries you forward. We love you and are here for you. Next week we travel to Weatherford for our first battle of the 2024 playoff season. The Tigers are matched up against the number four seed Eagle Mountain. Let’s get the momentum train rolling and bring all the noise you can. Let’s feed these guys the adrenaline and spirit they need to keep rolling all the way to Cowboys Stadium. Dave Campbell’s has again looked past Glen Rose being real contenders in Region I, with only one pick for the Tigers to win. Again, year after year we are proving ourselves to be the team to beat, yet get overlooked over and over again. Its time, again, to show these guys that the Tigers are authentic this year. Pack those cars, vans, and wagons and make sure you give the Tigers your all as they will give theirs this Thursday. Here we come Eagle Mountain Knights