National Guard honors PG’s state football champions
Pleasant Grove’s football team was presented with the Army National Guard national ranking trophy as part of the 13th annual MaxPreps Tour of Champions on Wednesday at Hawk Gym.
The Hawks defeated West OrangeStark, 41-21, in the title game and became Class 4A, Division II state champions with a record of 16-0. The championship was the first for Pleasant Grove since its inaugural football season in 1984.
Pleasant Grove’s football team took to the gym floor, through two rows of cheerleaders as the Hawk band played a fanfare.
Texas Army National Guard Sergeant Caleb Ingram presented Pleasant Grove Athletic Director and head football coach Josh Gibson with the trophy.
“This is a very prestigious award,” Gibson said. “For four years these guys grinded toward the vision that we talked about early—Heart and Soul. This is the hardest working
team that I have ever been around. This is the most together team that I have ever been around. This is the most selfless team that I have ever been around.
“Hawk Nation was well represented at AT&T Stadium. I turned around in the third quarter to look at the crowd on our side; the first, second, and third levels were filled up. We sold out every home game and that was pretty special. We are thankful for our fans.”
Pleasant Grove was one of just 50 high schools in the nation that were honored with the trophy. There are over 16,000 schools nationally.
Texarkana, Texas, mayor Bob Bruggeman was on hand to honor the team. Mayor Bruggeman presented Gibson, state final offensive MVP TJ Cole and defensive MVP Caleb Porchia with city lapel pins and pinned them on each.
Charles Jordan, from Representative John Ratcliffe’s office, presented the Hawks with a flag that was flown over the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. Jordan also said that the Pleasant Grove helmet would be on display in Washington, D.C.
“Congressman Ratcliffe set a precedent by putting some memento on display,” Jordan said. “We wanted to afford Pleasant Grove the same opportunity. Many times when the congressman is speaking then you may see the helmet from Pleasant Grove.
“I watched this team play, and it was amazing. They have a strong commitment and a strong work ethic. I believe the whole school was involved in their success.”
MaxPreps was represented by Bill Moore from Sugarland, Texas.
“The Hawks earned this trophy with their unblemished record of 16-0 and by beating many highranked teams throughout the season that culminated with a state championship,” Moore said. “We took the regular season and post season wins into consideration when we plugged them into the computer system, and it scored them one of the very best in the nation.”
The Pleasant Grove Hawk football team and coaches will be the Grand Marshals in Texarkana’s Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday.