Oh, they love their Bastrop High School Bears.

As the community prepares for the Bears to travel to the quarterfinals of the state football playoffs, the excitement was everywhere around town at the start of the week.

A huge community pep rally is set for today at Erhard Field at 6:30 p.m. to support the Saturday game at Waco for the Class 4-A Division II game against Mesquite Poteet.

Charter buses have been reserved to take fans to the game and the last person to leave town has been asked to turn off the lights.

Signs of support for the Bears are everywhere – on the windows of downtown businesses, on vehicles and at district schools.

Students and team members were also excited.

“It’s like we’re making history,” BHS junior Tiffany Zabel said. She was referencing the Bears having not having advanced to the quarterfinals since 2001. And if they beat Mesquite Poteet, it will the first time the Bears have made the state semifinals in football since 1966.

“The whole school is spirited right now,” said junior Vivianna Reyes, a member of the BHS band’s drill team.

Senior Avery Harris added, “It’s really exciting right now around here. I’ve been to every game this year – home and away games. The school is so proud that the Bears have gone so far in the playoffs. I love the Bears.”

Senior Capricia Johnson praised the football team.

“They’ve got the heart and they are playing as a team,” Johnson said.

The football players said they appreciated the support.

“We’ve got the best fans of all,” said Daniel Hill, a sophomore who plays wide receiver for the Bears. As Hill stood in the main BHS hallway on Monday, students called out cheers to him and other players who walked by

“The students are really showing their support of us – it’s great,” added Keaton Pawlik, a sophomore defensive end.

See page B1 for more detailed information about the game in Waco.