Locals cheer on Fair Grove from home

FAIR GROVE, Mo. — Fair Grove locals who weren't able to make the trip to Columbia were cheering on their Eagles from home.

At 4-D's Eats on Main St., dozens were glued to the TV.

"I mean, words can't describe how much [a state title] would mean to this town," Josh Butler said.

"It would be amazing to break this in by beating Lamar. You got to beat the best," Brody Daniels said.

Daniels is one of the owners of 4-D Eats, one of the few locations hosting a watch party, and says it's all about support.

"It's just a way to give back to them because I can't make it to the game anyways," Daniels said. "We want to just support them and hopefully see them reaching a new level."

Daniels used to play football for the purple and white, making today's game even more special.

"I know all the guys that I've played with the last few years. We've gotten so close, we're excited for it. The whole town, the school, the people around us, parents, kids, everybody is excited," Daniels said.

Butler said the school's first state title appearance is a long time coming.

"It's overdue," Butler said. "I think we're going to do it. I think we're going to be undefeated this year and we're going to bring home the state, the state championship. I really do."

Playing Lamar, a recently donned Class-2 dynasty, Butler wouldn't have it any other way for the championship.

"Lamar has been a thorn in our side forever, but we're going to do it. We have the talent we have on this team. It's just unreal, the coaching staff on this team is unreal," Butler said.

Daniels and Butler said they're proud of the Eagles regardless of the outcome, but if the Eagles pull it off, they may paint the town purple.

"You'll probably hear fireworks. You'll probably hear a lot of yelling and screaming. There might be dancing and stuff," Butler said.