Small town, big dreams: Yoakum excited for football team's championship game

High school football team going to state championship game

YOAKUM, Texas – "Go Dogs" has become a refrain as popular as "Merry Christmas" in the small town of Yoakum. The Bulldogs football team is headed to the state championship game to take on Mineola.

"Yoakum is really excited for this," resident Leslye Fikac said. "The town is very fired up."

Streamers line the streets of downtown and storefronts have been painted with spirit. The town has rallied behind their team.

"This year’s (been) amazing. Every game they get better” Debbi Poole said. She also lives in the small town and has a nephew on the team. “They pull together as a team. They are doing great."

The last time the Bulldogs were in the state finals was 1952, and to hear some locals tell it it wasn't pretty, but they think they have a pretty good shot at the title the year.

"I have a good feeling" Fikac said.

Jim Moore was just nine when the team made the trip to Austin for the state title game.

"It's a good thing, we needed to get into it," Moore said.

Yoakum, like many small towns, is a place where everybody knows everybody. A win this Thursday would great for family, friends and neighbors.

"This is what we want for the town for the boys to pull together," Poole said, "It would be amazing for Yoakum.”


About the Author:

David Sears, a native San Antonian, has been at KSAT for more than 20 years.