Cougars defy odds to reach state title game

Honestly, I thought La Marque’s season was over.

The Cougars had just laid an egg against Pearland Dawson in their regular season finale. They committed fewer turnovers and tallied more yards but lost. Penalties, misused timeouts and an injury to their star running back proved costly.

Tears flowed. Shoulders shrugged. Eyes looked glazed and dumbfounded.

Worse yet: A playoff spot seemed probable but so did a first-round match against state-ranked El Campo.

It would have been easy to fold at that point, to throw in the towel. It’s always easier to quit than to bear down and face the demons.

And boy did La Marque have demons: a coach on the hot seat, two seasons without a playoff appearance for a squad that had not missed the postseason since 1989, a dwindling enrollment at school, budget issues and a town full of doubters.

Yet the Cougars used the loss as a galvanizing moment. They rallied around each other and their coach. They internalized the criticism. They defied the odds.

Here’s what Tim Wright said after the game: “We will win in the playoffs. We will get there. This team is special. It has the capability.”

And quarterback Emanuell Williams said: “It can’t end like this. This team is too good. We just need a chance, a moment. When that happens, watch out.”

That Dawson loss proved to be the moment and the chance. La Marque never looked back.

The Cougars ended the two-year playoff drought. They beat El Campo and reeled off four straight playoff wins.

Now, La Marque is playing in its 10th state title game for a sixth state championship.

This La Marque team might not have the most talent among the proud Cougar teams of yore. It might not have played the most difficult playoff schedule.

Yet this squad is special and should be remembered. It took a terrible moment — the Cougars’ lowest point of the season — and turned it into a state championship appearance.

That’s not easy for anyone. Especially high school kids.