Thanks for the ride Miners!

You could have heard a pin drop at Roy Williams Field tonight (Nov. 21). Just minutes earlier, the Linton-Stockton High School football faithful were going crazy.

Visions of a trip to the Class A state championship game next Friday were dancing in their heads. Lucas Oil Stadium. A state title.

How sweet it was for Linton fans. There was no way a 26-23 lead with under 5 minutes to go could slip away against No. 1-ranked Indianapolis Ritter in the semistate title game.

But it did. And it was a heartbreaker.

It slipped away from the No. 4-ranked Miners, and instead of making plans for Lucas Oil Stadium, Linton coaches, players, and fans will have to watch from the sidelines.

Those last few seconds were tough to witness. After so many tries in the semistate. After so many close games in those semistates -- losing to South Putnam, Knightstown and Ritter in close games -- this time was going to be different. It was right there for the taking, but it slipped away, 30-26 in the final minutes.

Coach Steve Weber and his Miners have nothing to be ashamed of … NOTHING! This Linton team was more physical than Ritter. This Linton team outplayed Ritter for a majority of the game.

But it wasn't meant to be. Joy turned to tears in a split second.

Someone asked me if this was the most talented team Linton has ever produced. Talented? That's up for debate. But I guarantee you that no other Linton team has played as hard, has been more dedicated, and more importantly … no other Linton team can claim to have played with more heart.

There have been other Linton teams that were bigger. There have been some Linton teams that had much more talent.

But heart is what set this team apart.

Keep your heads high Miners! It will hurt for a while, but you'll soon realize how special this season was and you'll look back on it with fond memories.

Thanks for the ride!