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Polk County broke its postgame huddle Friday with a shout of “Winners.” Because, as longtime assistant coach Jamie Thompson noted, “that’s what you are.”

Not on the Dietz Field scoreboard, which read a 69-0 victory for Hendersonville in the final regular-season game for both teams. The Bearcats outraced a depleted, outmanned Wolverine squad, scoring 21 points in the first quarter and 35 more in the second.

By the time Hendersonville standout running back Hezzie Rudisill left the field in the third quarter, the Bearcats comfortably led 63-0 and were en route to completing a 5-4 season. They’ll play somewhere next week in the opening round of the state 2A playoffs.

There will be no postseason for Polk County, which saw a 1-8 season come to an end. It’s the first time since 1999 that the Wolverines have failed to qualify for the state playoffs.

So why did Polk County break its final huddle with a victory cry?

The Wolverines who walked off Dietz Field Friday endured a season like no other. It began with low numbers on the roster but promise – a win at Madison, a close loss at Tuscola, another close loss in a home shootout with Blue Ridge.

But injuries began to mount, and then Hurricane Helene tore through the area and brought the season to a full stop. Polk eventually went almost six weeks between games, something no other Wolverine team had ever faced.

While some players mended during that break, the ailments began to pile up once Polk returned to its schedule. By Friday’s game, roughly a third of the roster stood on the sideline unable to play, leaving largely freshmen and sophomores to compete.

But battle they did, just as all those on the roster endured, remaining committed to the program and its future despite the rocky season.

For that, they certainly deserved to be known as winners.