![Walking through the tunnel created by the cheerleaders and Celebrities, senior Frances Tran smiles as the soccer team is sent off during DEN for their playoff game against Rouse tonight. Tran said the wins against Smithson Valley and Alamo Heights gave the team a morale boost to take on the Raiders tonight. “I know we were not 100% confident in those games,” Tran said. “But, Rouse is a big opponent for sure. We’re definitely going into tonight with a lot of morale [because of the previous wins].”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/frances-tran.jpg)
![Catching a ball, junior Alivia Robinson plays at the Cedar Park vs Glenn game. Having played since she was 5 years old, she is dedicated to softball and has committed to UTPB for softball. “When I got my offer it took me a very long time to decide where,” Robinson said. “Softball has always been my dream for college, and UTPB is my fit. When [I committed] I knew I was going to be loved and supported.”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Lilly-Adams-3.13aliviaedit-901.jpg)
![Holding a bucket of materials in one hand and a roll of tape in another, anatomy and biology teacher Tyler Terry prepares for a lab. Terry said his proudest moments are when his students are happy to see him. “When I take my wife to a football game or something and a bunch of students want to say hi to me or they like to smile and wave and it just makes me feel good that the students are really kind and supportive of me,” Terry said. “[I’m also] proud when I see students perform really well in their extracurriculars because I can see how hard they’re working in my classes, [so] when I see that they’re also working so hard in other things. Like they’re winning band competitions or they’re getting awards for their theater productions, or I see them put on their choir shows, that’s like, wow, you guys are incredible.”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Rags-6.png)
Although the world didn’t end as prophesied, the varsity football team did earn the state champion title as forecasted.
The T-wolves were granted their title as state champions for the first time in school history on Dec. 21, 2012, beating Lancaster 17-7 in the Class 4A, Division II state championship game at Cowboy Stadium.
The game took on a thrilling, roller-coaster quality mixed with excitement and anxiety. It started out unpromising when Lancaster put the first points on the board, and Cedar Park realized that they were in a new level of play. However, the T-wolves quickly adapted, tying the score by halftime with a touchdown by senior Ethan Fry and a series of powerful plays by junior Thomas Middleton and senior running back Mikal Wilson.
In the second half, a grim hue took over the stadium once again when junior quarterback Nate Grimm was out with an injury. Grimm returned a series of plays later, his leg cured with a makeshift cast of tape and an ice bag.
“I had to keep fighting for the seniors,” Grimm said. “I found out later that I had played on a broken leg, but knowing during the game wouldn’t have changed anything.”
One such senior, Wilson, led a series of game-changing drives toward the end zone. Wilson was named offensive MVP of the game
“It was an honor,” Wilson said. “Not only did I see my team’s effort pay off, but I saw my own personal hard work and dedication pay off.”
Seniors and underclassmen alike recognized the enormity of the game.
“Playing in Jerry’s World was a privilege,” Grimm said. “We look at every game as just another game we’re going to win, but it was definitely a step up in venues.”
Just as the stadiums grew bigger throughout the season, the Black Rain defense grew stronger each game and each quarter. In the final quarter, an interception by junior Lane Waller set up a touchdown for Wilson and a fumble recovery by Peter Maneikis sealed the fate of the game.
For the sophomores and juniors, there was little room for rest between winning the championship and beginning to train for next year. With nearly twice as many current juniors on varsity than seniors, next year’s team already has the numbers needed for another winning team.
“Right now, we’re focusing on getting stronger, getting faster, and preparing for next season,” Waller said. “It’s up to us to keep our eyes on next year’s prize.”
Only time will tell if the next team of T-wolves can live up to the state champion title under the Friday night lights next fall.
“How many times in your life do you get to win state?” Waller asked. “We’re planning to twice.”
