SLIDESHOW/STORY: "G2" Football Team Gets Hero's Send-off
Wednesday, November 16th, 2011 -- 3:29 PM
"Greenwood! Granton! Greenwood! Granton!"
"G2 Nation" gave a vocal farewell Wednesday to their state-bound football team.
Just two seasons ago, the Indians suffered through an 0-9 season. Hurting for numbers, the school entered into a co-op agreement with Granton and made the playoffs in 2010.
The progress continued this year. The team (12-1 overall) rolled through the regular season and the first four rounds of the playoffs and will play Seneca for a D-7 WIAA State Championship Thursday at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. (Pre-game 9:35 a.m. on 92.7 FM ? WPKG, kick-off 10 a.m.)
"(I) do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 17, 2011 as G2 Nation Day," read Mayor Jim Schecklman to thunderous applause in the Greenwood High School gym during a pep rally.
The mood was exuberant as everyone from elementary students to some area residents who likely remember when Greenwood was ranked #1 in the state in 1968 joined to show their appreciation for their favorite team.
"I want to thank all the mothers for all the wonderful food we've had. It's been absolutely amazing," said Team Captain Hayden Hinker. "We love you. We couldn't do it without you."
Coach Chad Hanson called the support ?unbelievable,? and said, even during their winless season in 2009, he believed they could get eventually get to the State Championship.
Now, he?s a firm believer that winning will breed success.
"We had more kids come out for football this year than we did the previous year. Kids that didn't play before," Hanson notes. "Hopefully this carries over and continues to build excitement in both communities."
"Not just for Greenwood/Granton football, but for sports in general."
It will officially be Greenwood/Granton?s first State final appearance. Greenwood won the Division 6 championship in 1990 and finished runner-up in 1996.
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