ANNA, Ohio — This is the first time this has happened in 20 years.
The Anna High School football team, the Rockets, are practicing to compete in the state finals.
- For the first time in its 20-year history, the Anna Rockets are headed to the state finals
- The upcoming game has the entire town decked out in team colors and messages rooting for a win
- No one has been waiting longer than super fan and team volunteer Dave Bell, who has been with the team from day one
Standing on the sidelines at every practice, you’ll find Dave Bell.
“I’m not a coach, and quite honestly I don’t know anything about football,” said Bell.
He’s the team’s super fan —
“I’m a high school graduate and I love high school sports,” said Bell.
He comes to almost every game, every practice, and even volunteers to set up the gear.
“These gentlemen are very much like family to me,” Bell said.
And for 20 years since the team started, all he wanted was to see them get to the biggest game in the team’s history.
“One thing I asked them to do was save me one game,” said Bell
And it’s not just him.
As soon as you drive into small town Anna, Ohio, downtown businesses are decked out in team colors and messages rooting on the Rockets for a win.
“We are just absolutely excited to have our tiny town going to state for the very first time,” said Jennifer Clinker, massage therapist and Rockets fan.
“Everyone is very excited, I feel like the whole town will be shut down on Friday,” said Maryann Huelskamp, hair dresser and Rockets fan.
Friday is the day that decides it all, the day the high school team gets to go to the finals, the day the head coach says is not going to be easy —
“We got a really tough opponent this week, so we gotta make sure we play really well,” said Nick Marino, head football coach.
But it’s the day the players say they’re ready for —
“Ever since freshman year, we’ve worked really hard,” said Jackson Smith, high school senior, linebacker.
And the day Dave Bell waited 20 years to see.
“Let’s got get a victory, boys!” said Bell.
