While the opening game of any athletic season is exciting for both the players and spirited Rustlers attending, CMR Football’s game on the 29th of August was unlike any other. Paired with the patriotic USA theme and stands filled with Rustlers, CMR managed a 28-14 win against defending AA state champions, Helena Capital.

     Memorial Stadium truly lived up to its name on Thursday night—with appearances from the Statue of Liberty and even Eagle from Riverview Elementary. With new seniors and a new spirit leader, Senior Grant Brumwell, Rustlers packed the stands in eagerness. Initially, it seemed the Rustlers had faltered in the first half, losing potential yardage and falling to a 14-0 difference.

     The story was very different in the second half, however. From the first minute after the Wranglers’ field routine, CMR’s offensive line pushed harder than before, racking up points and making play after play. Head coach A.J. Wilson was impressed by this change in pace.

     “I was wanting to see the resiliency out of our kids after [halftime] and I was happy to see it tied up—we just kept the pedal on the gas and that’s how we kept rolling—I thought our offensive line played really well in the Capital game,” he said.

     While coach Wilson already had high hopes for this year’s lineup, he’s even more eager to see the Rustlers’ performance in upcoming conference games. Of course, he still knows what matters.

    “You know, kids are still together, still teams, still family, still working for one common goal,” Wilson said. 

     The magic of CMR’s big win against the Capital Bruins wasn’t just on the field—the energy of the student body and Pep Band couldn’t go unnoticed. The cheers stayed loud and rowdy; it didn’t matter who was in the lead. Students stayed for the long haul, and it paid off.