Palmer pride extends beyond football team

Palmer senior lineman Everest Moore summed it up best when he expressed that it may be heartbreaking now, but after the Moose have time to think about their 2007 season, there is much for which this team has to be proud.

Moore and the Moose did not have an opportunity to hold the Alaska State Activities Association First National Bowl championship trophies high above their heads Saturday, but considering the way the Palmer High School football team had fought all season, the Moose and Valley fans should hold their heads high.

This, not the 23-13 final score that favored Juneau-Douglas, is arguably as important as winning any championship.

Palmer overcame a rough 1-3 start in the regular season to fight its way into the fourth state title game in school history. Midway through the season, few outside a loyal group of Moose faithful who view the world through blue-colored lenses held out hope Palmer would have any chance in advancing to the playoffs, let alone the championship game for the second time in three years.

Despite the slow start and criticism, there was little doubt on the Palmer practice field and in the locker room.

In the championship game, the Moose found themselves on the losing end of a 21-0 score early in the first half. Some may have considered the game over at that point, but not Palmer. The Moose didn’t allow the game to be completely one-sided and never quit. Over the final two quarters, the Moose fought, made plays and outscored Juneau-Douglas 13-2 in the final two minutes.

Until the final whistle, Palmer battled.

High school sports are about much more than wins and losses. Sports are about fighting through adversity, digging deep inside oneself and learning how to battle on, regardless of how difficult the opposition is or how tough the future will be. The lessons are learned from the battles more than the outcomes.

High school athletics should be about character, and throughout the 2007 season the Moose — a group led by a seasoned and dedicated group of coaches — consistently showed theirs. That’s why Palmer’s players and coaches represented their friends, family, school, city and the Mat-Su Valley so well throughout the 2007 season.

The Moose showed that Palmer certainly has pride — a pride we share.