Uvalde celebrated the 50th anniversary of its only state championship football team Friday night amid a backdrop of grief.
In her home opener, with almost everyone in the country on her side, Uvalde did not disappoint thanks to some last-minute theatrics.
Uvalde beat Eagle Pass Winn 34-28 thanks to a one-handed touchdown catch with 12 seconds left that was set up by a 51-yard run that looked like it was all but snuffed out. Just see for yourself:
These are absolutely goose things:
Uvalde High School won the home opener tonight 34-28.
That was thanks to a spectacular 51-yard run with 36 seconds left.
And then a one-handed TD catch with 12 seconds left.
You must love sports.#txhsfb @whisper pic.twitter.com/AXSs1zakUu— William Joy (@WilliamJoy) September 3, 2022
Uvalde was the site of a horrific school attack last May: 19 students and two teachers were killed. Friday’s celebration of the team’s only state championship was planned well in advance of the shooting, and the city decided to keep it on schedule.
Our own Kevin Sherrington visited Uvalde last month to chronicle the story. He wrote in part:
Nothing heals the loss of 21 lives. No one dares to suggest that it can. Certainly not everyone who sees the reminders every day. Steve Stoy and half a dozen of his former high school friends still live in the town where they grew up. They worship in the same churches as the victims’ families, shop at the same grocery stores, eat at the same restaurants.
Drive past the same memorials.
The ’72 Coyotes were so sensitive to the grief and anger since the shooting at Robb Elementary on May 24, they weren’t even sure they should go ahead with the reunion. They didn’t know if it would be right.
But on Friday night, the 2022 Coyotes honored the 1972 champions in style in their hometown.
Read more about the Uvalde 1972 team and this week’s short holiday break here.
