Opp’s Josh Scarbrough, Josh Thompson, Britt Wilson and Garrett Grider can honestly say they have had a great, but tough, four years contributing to the Bobcats’ football program.

“My time here has been pretty good, but it’s been tough,” Scarbrough said. “It’s gotten easier as it goes on, but the conditioning and working out has been hard.”

Thompson agreed with Scarbrough.

“That pretty much sums it all up,” he said.

On the field, each has strived to be good examples for the younger players on the team.

“We’re playing hard every day,” Thompson said.

Wilson said leaving a good legacy behind after he is gone is important.

“It’s important to go out and practice to show the younger kids how to do it when they get older,” Wilson said.

Grider says being a football player is a great “sacrifice” and that it is “all worth it.”

“Sacrificing four to five months out of the year to our team and doing something we love is something I feel I have contributed to the team,” Grider said. “It’s all worth it.”

At 5-foot-11-inches and 203 pounds, Scarbrough has rushed for 459 yards on 76 carries and scored eight touchdowns this season.

“I play football because that’s just about the only thing I’m good at,” Scarbrough said.

At wide receiver, Thompson has 12 receptions for 200 yards and three touchdowns; at split end, Wilson has eight receptions for 138 yards and two touchdowns; and at center, Grider has provided strong blocking this season.

This Friday night, Scarbrough, Thompson, Wilson and Grider will try and get a Class 4A, first round win over Andalusia.

Each say that last week’s 24-12 loss was due to their “emotions” getting in the way.

“It’s going to be an intense game (Friday),” Scarbrough said. “We’re going to have to play our best game.”

Scarbrough is the son of Dennis and Lynn Scarbrough of Onycha; Thompson is the son of Kurt and Tracy Thompson of Onycha; Wilson is the son of Keith and Debra Wilson of Opp; and Grider is the son of Scotty and Michelle Grider of Horn Hill.