We join the community in congratulating the Ripley Tigers, Falkner Eagles and Walnut Wildcats for good football seasons.

Although all three schools’ seasons ended via playoff competition, just getting to those postseason games is an accomplishment most teams would be happy to achieve.

Walnut (7-4) made the playoffs three straight years under head Coach Timmy Moore, falling to Simmons High School Friday Nov. 6, in the first round of playoff action.

Falkner’s first trip to post-season competition since 2002 ended as they fell to host Durant 38-14 in first-round playoff action Friday Nov. 13. The team ends the season with a 4-7 record.

Ripley, (6-6) fell to visiting Aberdeen 42-16 in second- round playoff action Friday night, Nov. 13. It was their 11th consecutive year to make the playoffs.

. All three teams went as far as skill and muscle and guts and luck and outstanding coaching could take them.

Football is a team sport. The off-the-field team behind the on- the-field team should be recognized as well. Fans followed the team to far-flung locations on cold nights. Employers juggled schedules to give team members the time they needed. Parents built family schedules around practice and games.

All three teams are a work in progress, and tomorrow’s stars await their chance to shine. We have a feeling we may see all three teams again next year when play-offs roll around.