Although Anson High School’s Homecoming game Friday night ultimately ended in disappointment, it was hard not to feel something else for these young guys who fought so hard and held their heads high in the face of defeat — admiration.

Even when the score was 14-0, even when the home crowd was lukewarm at best, the players on the Bearcat varsity football team did not give up. They kept fighting, down by seven points at halftime. They fought their way to within three points before an ill-timed pass made it into the hands of an opponent player with just seconds left in the game. It wasn’t until that Marvin Ridge interception that the wind seemed to disappear from the Bearcats’ sails.

It was hard not to get caught up in the excitement when the Bearcats charged back with two unanswered touchdowns and a victory seemed well within their grasp. Likewise, it was also hard not to feel gut-wrenched when that win slipped through their fingers.

Criticize the players or their coaches as you might, it was nothing short of inspiring to see the home team fight back and refuse to give up in the first half, when they easily could have.

I think we all, no matter what our age or station in life, could learn from these young men. Don’t ever give up. Even when it seems impossible, victory — which isn’t always measured on a scoreboard — is still worth fighting for.