Forget about the past, time to rally behind the Raiders

Driving through Wautoma on Oct. 28 to cover the Nekoosa playoff football game, there was no doubt that little city loved its Hornets.
The downtown businesses were awash with the school colors, and pro-Wautoma or disparaging-Nekoosa statements were shoe polished onto most glass surfaces.
Ask any Papermaker fan in Nekoosa and most will tell you that Wautoma is an awful town, which makes me shake my head even more because Wisconsin Rapids doesn’t show much visible support for the Raiders, who are one win away from playing for the state championship.
Where’s the banners? Where’s the window paint? Where’s the flashing marquee signs? Where’s the love for the Raiders?

Time to break out the red and white. Time to change the marquee signs to say, “Go Raiders!” Time for this community to rally behind a nice underdog team that was not expected to approach this level of success.
Ignore your thoughts about the allegations that were centered upon last year’s wrestling team. There is no reason to let that cloud your support.
Besides, I’ve read enough vile hatefulness by anonymous people in the past few weeks to last me a lifetime. Regardless of your feelings for the situation, have some class and dignity, and it’s time to read something nice and supportive for a change.
I contend that an underdog sports story is exactly what this community needs right now. If we can’t get behind this overachieving group of football players, then this community is not what I thought it was.
Consider the following: A new quarterback, who spent years as a backup, blossoming as the season progresses. The former quarterback stepping aside and taking a leadership role on defense. A running game that lost its leading rusher from last year only to uncover a new fullback who finished the year with more yards than his predecessor. A coach who, not three years ago, was walking the sidelines under signs calling for his termination. A team that is not as talented as last year’s but has greatly exceeded any and all expectations.
Sounds like a movie to me.
And I forgot to mention the future starting middle linebacker for the Wisconsin Badgers.
The team has done its part — overcome the obstacles and climbed the mountain. We are now in the montage part of the film that shows shots of the community’s support.
Time for the town to turn up the support. Time to cast yourself into the best sports underdog story of the year.
Go Raiders!