The Pleasant Grove High School football team left Hawk stadium to cheers Thursday afternoon to go pursue their second state title in as many years. The team plays Cuero at 11 a.m. today for the in the Class 4A Division 2 final at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
 

Roger Hailey, interim superintendent for Pleasant Grove, said the football team's success has made a big impression on the school as a whole.
 

"My goodness. From a school standpoint this is as good as it gets," he said. "The dynamics, the atmosphere—it's just a shot in the arm and how many youngsters get to play at AT&T Stadium."
 

Josh Gibson, head football coach, spoke to the crowd who gathered to see the team off.

"Thank you so much for coming out and supporting Hawk Nation. We've got the Hawk football team behind us but that's all it would be without Hawk Nation," Gibson said. "I know we're going to see a sea of black tomorrow (Friday). I think this is the best place in Texas to raise a kid."
 

Gibson got emotional talking about the football team.
 

"These guys behind me, we're a family. They bust their tails and we look for perfection everyday because we know it will pay off later. I think we'll come back with a second ring but I can tell you right now this community has already won. This season has been magical the way it unfolded," Gibson said.
 

Hailey expects a good showing from Pleasant Grove fans at the game.

"We've sold over $20,000 in tickets before leaving Texarkana," Hailey said.