Wednesday evening was a night of cheers, praise and celebration as the Gilmer Buckeyes returned to their home stadium full of fans, family and a feeling of joy.
Members of the Gilmer football team are finally taking it easy after an intense football season – clenching a UIL state championship title and now receiving love from their city.
They celebrated their big achievement with a community pep rally at Gilmer ISD's Jeff Traylor Stadium.
"It just makes my heart happy to see that these guys, these young men came out and they put their hearts on the field," said Lakeitha Rhone, Gilmer High School band member’s mom.
This team has seen plenty of highs during the season and was even called one of the underdog teams. But win against the Carthage bulldogs proved they were determined to their fans.
"No one really believed that we were going to. So to have that win was one of the best things I've seen since the two years that I've been here in Gilmer," Rhone said.
But there were also some lows the team faced as the mother of one of the players – Mandy Ray – and her sister Dermetrica Waters – lives were taken in November.
Denny Pilcher, a father of a Gilmer football player, helped organize a t-shirt fundraiser with other community members who were looking for a way to help the families of Ray and Waters.
He said Ray was the voice of the football bleachers and these shirts represent her and her sister. The shirts are camo print with the number 13 and the phrase "Army of Buckeyes" stamped on them.
"For us as a community to be able to step in and give small amounts of money, we're talking about buying t-shirts for $25. Everyone can do that," Pilcher said.
Over $15,000 have been raised to support the grieving family.
"As horrific as that was it. it is life and it shows us that those things happen in our world," said Stephanie Murphy, mother of a Gilmer football player. "But watching this in the community together is what I think builds that hope."
These player’s hearts hit the field right after the tragic news with many of them going the extra mile like Stephanie Murphy's son, Gilmer offensive guard Spencer Murphy.
His parents Doug and Stephanie Murphy were in attendance to celebrate their son who was one of the only ones injured in the final game.
"They put forth the effort early on in the offseason, they worked hard," Doug Murphy said. "It all paid off. In the end, they stayed together as a team. When things got tough for him, obviously, the community came together for him as well. It's just been fun to be a part of."