As we discussed last week, and certainly hoped for over the weekend, the Martinsburg Bulldogs football team took a swing at history this past Saturday—and for the second year in a row, hit for the cycle. Two seasons. Two state titles. No losses. It’s an accomplishment that’s pretty hard to comprehend—so you’re better off just enjoying it…and secretly wondering if it’s possible that maybe, just maybe, next year finds the Bulldogs right back at Wheeling Island Stadium in December, hunting down championship number three. Why not? Winning is now as much a part of the Martinsburg tradition as summer two-a-days. It’s only been done once before—Charleston High School (now Capital) won three titles in a row from 1968 – 1970. There’s nothing that says it can’t happen again, which is why we love sports.
To watch the team go 28-0 over the last two years has been nothing short of thrilling—one of many worthy adjectives. Fortunately, we have the added bonus of watching some of these talented young men as they compete in winter and spring sports. But, as the summer lazily comes back into focus next year, whispers will turn into conversations—conversations into debates. Will the 2012/2013 squad possess the extremely unique ingredients vital to winning another state championship? Alas, the future is unknown. But we do know that Martinsburg High School is the best football team in the state of WV, two years running, for a reason. Coaching. You can have the greatest collection of talent on earth, but without the proper leadership and organization, it means nothing. Martinsburg has been in state title conversations for a decade, and now they’ve reached the summit. Who’s to say how long they’ll remain there? I think we all can agree: it’s sure going to be fun finding out.
Congratulations to the players, the coaches, and the community—who steadfastly supported the Bulldogs during this run, and for so many years previous. A stellar two years. Here’s to many more!
