Title run still fun for all Gretna football fans

SALEM — As snowflakes softly fell, the Gretna Hawks’ faithful fans began filling the stands at Salem Stadium, taking their place hoping for a state championship repeat.

Many people wore Gretna State Champ baseball hats, with the years 2003, 2004 and 2007 stitched in blue and yellow.

Abigail Burnette, who will graduate this upcoming spring, has gone to most of Gretna’s games for the last five years.

Burnette said this year was different though.

“I know more of the players personally, so it’s more exciting for me,” Burnette said. “I basically know all of them, pretty much. It’s such a small school.”

Though Burnette said previous years’ teams might have been stronger overall, this season’s Hawks were more aggressive and hungry for the back-to-back state title.

“The games have been a lot closer than in the past, they’ve struggled more to get here.”

Burnette said the team seems to want it more this year.

Buddy Shelton said he has seen every Gretna game since 2000 and said the Hawks are consistent through the years.

“I think we’ve got as much talent, probably not as deep,” Shelton said. “We don’t have as many reserves; that has been kind of a concern.”

Shelton said this year’s number of injured players made the season tough, but the team is still strong.

“I think other than the fact of losing Nick Miller early — talentwise, we’re as good as we’ve been,” Shelton said.

Lynn Marstin showed his support for the Hawks in the spirit of the season by dyeing his beard blue and wearing a hat fit for Santa Claus. Marstin went to Gretna’s other state championship games and believes there is not that much difference between the other years.

“With their No. 1 quarterback out, it’s changed the strategy a little bit,” Marstin said. “The team’s matured as the season’s gone on. This year’s team is pretty close to where they were last year.”

Marstin usually supports the Hawks from the sidelines, working as part of the first down chains in the regular season.

“This is my first game of the year sitting in the stands,” Marstin said.

Robert Oakes, a longtime Gretna fan, said last week’s close game with the strong offense of Essex proved the Hawks are a strong team, no matter what previous state champion team they are compared to.

Deloris Hubbard, the mother of linebacker Delante Hubbard, was already excited about next season, saying the Hawks are only losing a few players.

Hubbard felt certain Gretna was going to win the title, even before the game started.

“I feel good, confident about (a win),” Hubbard said.

At the end of the game, with cheers of “back to back,” the snowflakes were replaced by blue and yellow confetti and streamers.