SISK: For this group, it was a fun ride

NAUNA

Thanks for the ride.

Twenty-six games after it started, Buffalo Gap’s rollercoaster of a winning streak came to a screeching halt on Friday night against William Campbell.

Disappointment didn’t show through the Bison’s facemasks, but rather a sense of accomplishment. They knew they had just put the final bookend on a tale that will be passed down generation to generation.

“It was fun,” said Gap’s Pickle Nuckols. “We turned into a family. We have been a family for the last 10 years.”

They congratulated their conquerors, even pulling them aside to wish them luck in the Group A, Division 1 semifinals — in west Augusta, good class means more than a win anyway.

“We’ve been playing since we were little kids, we knew we got our butts whipped,” said Ryan Sheridan.

When the Generals took their Region B, Division 1 trophy the Bison stood and applauded and never once acted like they resented their conquers.

“That’s was the best team we have played in two years,” Ian Rosenfeld said. “They deserved everything they got.”

The seniors lingered on the field longer and embraced at the 40-yard line, hoping that the end hadn’t come.

“I’m going to miss them and being with the guys everyday,” Nuckols said.

The workhorse that is Nuckols allowed his emotions to seep through his tough persona for a moment as he hugged every coach on the way to the locker room.

“We just didn’t want to go down as quitters,” he said.

Sheridan couldn’t stop thanking the fans that endured freezing temperatures wouldn’t stop cheering even when all hope for a win was lost.

“The ride started with the fans,” he said. “I just want to thank our fans for everything they have done for us. They are not fans they are family.”

Rosenfeld nodded in agreement.

“We won 26 straight, we can’t complain about that,” Rosenfeld said.

As the Bison family walked to the locker room, Maxwell reminded his team that their gear had to be turned in by Monday.

“You ain’t getting [this] back,” Sheridan said.

“If you want to graduate, I am,” Maxwell responded.

And that was the end. The Bison walked two-by-two back to the locker room and then to the bus to return the Swoope.

“It’s something that has never been done and I don’t know if it will be duplicated,” Maxwell said.