On the Hill, Under the Lights

Empire is hosting a playoff game. Let that sink in for a second.

For those of us who wore that same jersey years ago, it’s hard not to feel a little lump in the throat saying that out loud. It’s an intense feeling of pride for this small school atop the Hill in rural Stephens County, Oklahoma. Back then, we dreamed of moments like this — Friday nights that stretched deep into November, the air crisp and electric, the stands full, the lights cutting through the cool, dark night. Truth be told, we didn’t get to sniff the kind of success this generation of Bulldogs has earned. But man, it sure feels good to see it happening right here, right now, on the Hill.

There’s a different kind of pride in this one — not the kind that fades when the scoreboard shuts off, but the kind that settles in your chest and stays there awhile. Pride in a coaching staff that’s building something special. Pride in a group of seniors who’ve set a tone of grit and heart for everyone coming up behind them. Pride in the underclassmen who have dedicated themselves to being impactful both on and off the field. Pride in a community that keeps showing up, week after week, to support these young men — through rain, wind, and everything else Oklahoma throws our way — pride in the always-present Empire High School band and its relentless support on full visual and audible display. Pride in the cheerleaders and pom team who work tirelessly to sow the seeds of pep and excitement.

Truth be told, one of my favorite things about watching this team — and honestly, any Empire squad across football, basketball, baseball, softball, band, pom, or cheer — is spotting the echoes of the past in the faces of the present. This generation is carrying the torch their parents once held, and watching those old Bulldog roots show up in new Bulldog moments? That’s something special.

So tonight, as the lights flicker on and the bleachers fill, I’ll be the guy standing on the sideline with a camera in hand and a grin I can’t hide. Because for those of us who’ve called Empire home, this isn’t just another game. It’s proof that the story keeps getting better.

Here’s to the Bulldogs — to where we’ve been, where we’re headed, and to the Hill that holds it all.