I don't have a lot of history watching the Trumann Wildcats play over the years. But when I took over as sports writer I heard a lot of talk about "Trumann Tough." As I talked to the coaches I figured out that "Trumann Tough" means a lot of things. It means playing offense and defense because the school doesn't have the kind of depth that many of their rivals do. It means coming to school the next day after practice or a game even though you're tired. It means playing hurt because the team is counting on you. It means going out there and fighting for every yard. More importantly, I think, it means stepping up your game for the team. I saw what I believe was my first example of "Trumann Tough" during the game against Paragould. Down 35-12 at halftime, the team could easily have been forgiven if they just packed it in and called it a night. The defense was taking a beating. The Rams had the ball five times and scored each time and were just running all over the Trumann defense. But they didn't quit. Coach Greg White was clearly disappointed, but he didn't yell or scream at them. He just told them plain out that they were letting the team down. They could mope the rest of the game, or they could go back out there for another half of football, regroup and play "Trumann Tough" like he knew they could do. I think that's why I like Coach White and Coach Nick Richardson. They're not screamers and yellers. They have a way of telling it like it is to the team. And the kids respond. The Trumann defense came back out in the second half and completely changed the momentum of the game. They stopped the run. They made the plays they needed to make and shut the Rams down for the rest of the game so that the offense could get them back in the game. And that's exactly what happened. Two touchdowns by Zac Thompson and a dash into the end zone by Blaike Jones and the Wildcats were right back in the game. "Trumann Tough" "Trumann Tough." The team came up a bit short this time, but I guarantee you we'll see a lot more "Trumann Tough" the rest of the way now that conference play is just beginning. I can see now that there is nothing else like it in the conference. It's contagious. Trumann Tough, guys.