Adair County football’s season came to an end Friday night in a 48-8 loss against Murray, the #3 ranked team in the state. The Indians battled hard until the end.
“At times, we ran the ball well,” said Coach Bryan Cross. “It took us a while to get our footing. It was 17-0 before we got our first down.”
“They were bigger than us in every position across the front. If you are more talented at just about every position, you’re going to be good. They are 11-0 now,” he said.
The Indians’ season motto was, “focus, fight, finish.” They lived up to that motto in every game regardless of the outcome.
Cross said he told the team before Friday night’s game that all season long, they had fought and learned to play hard for each other. He said he would never ask them to play hard for him.
“Playing hard for each other is what separates teams that achieve from teams that should achieve. You have to learn to play for each other,” he said.
Cross said he was proud of the team and his assistant coaches. Throughout the season, players were reminded not to look back at the prior week’s game, but to always look ahead to the next one.
“Injuries, illness, inexperience; the three ‘I’s are the things that kill you and we had them all,” he said.
Cross is optimistic for next season with many returning players ready to step up and lead.
“We will have the last team meeting of the 2025 season this week and then the banquet. I will give them a little bit of time, and then we will be lifting after school and working out,” said Cross.
Cross said as the season came to an end on Friday night, he thought of a quote from Rocky Balboa.
“It ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done.”
Cross said, “I am so proud of the way our team absorbed hard hits all season – some from quality opponents, some from injuries, illnesses and bad bounces – and they kept moving forward. Our young men continued to improve throughout the season.”
With 12 seniors graduating last year, Cross’ first season as head coach of the Indians was a rebuilding one. The majority of this year’s team had little to no varsity playing time. Though the Indians finished 3-8 overall and 2-3 in the district, the season was defined more by growth and perseverance than by the scoreboard.
By Amy Pike
amy@adairvoice.com
