While the Class 5A football state championship may not have been a high scoring game, it certainly did not lack in excitement.

Columbus East fell to Westfield in an emotional defeat on Saturday night, with a final score of 16-13. Fifth-ranked Westfield was propelled to take the championship by a strong defensive line and three field goals from senior kicker Will Harrison, the first of which broke the state championship record at 52-yards.

Though the loss was tough for the Olympians, a fact made evident by tear-stricken faces throughout East’s side of Lucas Oil Stadium, it was obvious that nothing could break the bonds made within the team over a very successful 13-2 season.

Such strong bonds and such an impressive record require work, however. East players had to learn how to settle into their places and work smoothly together, efforts which were proven to be successful by a consistently solid defense and constantly improving offense.

“Whenever in athletics you have a group of guys who can play up to their potential, you have to feel good about it. These guys kept getting better all year,” said Bob Gaddis, Columbus East head coach.

Besides improvement, another word echoed in the words of Olympian players and fans was family.

“They probably spent more time together than they did with their mom, dad and siblings, so they become brothers,” said Pete Huse, Columbus East athletic director.

When players are together constantly for four months sacrificing early mornings and late nights, combating injury and putting their all in to practices, becoming like a family is inevitable. According to senior Austin Sheckles, both real and team families combined to celebrate Thursday night dinners before sectional games.

“All of the family members came and they worked together with us… it was great to have parents behind the whole team,” Sheckles said.

Another notable example of the dedication and determination exhibited by East players is senior Harry Crider’s receiving of the IHSAA Eskew Mental Attitude award. Crider led the East family as a team captain and three-year varsity player.

A common characteristic of families everywhere is that they stick together through hardships, something that East players and fans will inevitably do to remember a successful 2016 season full of improvement.