I can’t write another word for this newspaper without first congratulating the multitude of people who made this 2015 Bainbridge football season my favorite subject I’ve covered in my 2 years and 2 months of working for The Post-Searchlight.

Where do I even begin?

I want to congratulate the community and the fans. You all deserve a massive, roaring round of applause for the dedication and passion you have poured into this exceptional team right from the start. I have never seen a city come alive for football like this one has. It reminded me of the flood of support from the community in the movie “Remember the Titans.” That’s the kind of stuff that gives you goose bumps, and there were plenty of those throughout the season, too.

Storefront windows are painted up and down in purple and gold. You couldn’t sit down for a haircut or a bite to eat without someone bringing up those Bearcats. We kept on talking, and those players and coaches kept on winning. It was beautiful to watch the season unfold and this city erupt on Friday nights. And despite the heartbreaking loss to Cartersville last Friday, they couldn’t even find enough seats for our fans. That is incredible.

I just have one thing to say: win or lose, be there next season for these players. You’re support has helped change the attitude in Bainbridge that this program can be a contender. You helped shoot down the argument that they can’t beat those Atlanta schools—“They’re just too good.” Well guess what? Bainbridge beat three of them, each one with numerous state championships under their belts. How’s that for competition?

I want to congratulate each and every player on the Bearcat roster. You went 13-1 because you believed you could. You worked your tail off through the winter. You sweated, hustled and bled all summer. You wanted to win, and so you did. You boys broke records and made history. I hesitate to name any one player, because one player doesn’t make all the difference. You showed what it was like to play as a team against competition that tested you physically and mentally.

There are plenty of moments where your opponents could have swept in and pulled the rug out from under your feet. But you didn’t let them. To that I say bravo, Bearcats. Encore.

And you coaches. Just… wow. This team won 13 straight games because of your guidance, support and wisdom. You knew what it took from the very beginning to get this far, and you instilled those expectations in the players. Bainbridge saw what happens when you have teachers and role models that can bring out someone’s true potential.

If anyone isn’t sold on this coaching staff, they must’ve been hibernating the past 15 weeks.

If you see anyone related to the football program, whether they are on the freshman team, a band member, a coach, a cheerleader, a member of the booster club or a touchdown-record-setter, give them a high five. They worked so hard this season and deserve this kind of support every year.

There has been a change in the wind with Bainbridge football. Everyone felt it this season. There are a lot of teams in Georgia. Only a few can say they went 13-1. That’s big time, right there.

Watch out for them Bearcats, because this appears to be just the beginning.