ABERDEEN — The City of Aberdeen is much like any other rural small town in the nation — the economic recession has taken its toll on the city’s economy and employment. But Aberdeen continues to fight to live another day — it is a hopeful community looking forward to tomorrow. And regardless of what happens tomorrow, the community is living in the historic present — the moment when its Aberdeen Bulldogs will play for its first-ever state football championship.

Mending Fences

Local merchant Henry Hammack, the radio voice of the Bulldogs, has had his ups and downs with the Aberdeen School District over the last year. Aberdeen School Board President Michael Jackson temporarily banned Hammack from stepping on to school property during the 2008 football season. However, Hammack has moved on and continues to support the team in every capacity.

“I have been doing this for many years and it has always been about the kids,” Hammack said. “I am very close to the kids and the coaching staff and I am very proud of them. Whether these men win or lose, it doesn’t matter. This has drawn the whole community together and that’s what is important.”

Hammack said he also sees the community working together to overcome adversity, much the like the 2009 Bulldogs.

“Aberdeen has had some bad breaks in recent months,” he said. “We have a lot of merchants and store owners who are working hard in this town and, together, we are making it. The team and the coaching staff had to overcome a lot of adversity from the school district and look what they have accomplished.”

Something to be proud of

Aberdeen Parks and Recreation Director Tohana Larthridge knows a great deal about many of the young men on the Aberdeen football team as a majority percentage of the team came up through the city’s youth program.

“I am very proud of this team and proud for our community,” Larthridge said. “We started full-contact football in 2003 and we have helped to nurture some great athletes. These are some great kids both on and off the field.”

Larthridge, who has seen both her department’s budget cut due to the economy and the loss of some of her programs, knows firsthand how politically divided the town can be.

“This game — the team winning the North State Championship — is so very important to this town,” she said. “This shows unity, for even in a town as divided as Aberdeen, all we can do is join together and support this team.”

The Best Thing

Sue Lucas is a cook at Shelaine Restaurant, one of the social hubs in Aberdeen. She hears both the good things and bad things about the city on a daily basis. But the proud grandmother of Bulldogs wide receiver Mario Lucas said the city, as a whole, is proud of the football team.

“I think this is a great thing,” Lucas said. “If we keep God first, all things are possible. Coach(Chris) Duncan and his staff have done a wonderful job with these young men. And for the first time in a long time, the city has something to be proud of — this is the best thing that could have happened to Aberdeen.