Tonight the Indians will take their season opener home game for the annual Gold Out game. The stands will be filled with gold not just for school spirit, but to honor and raise awareness for children battling cancer.

“I just feel blessed to be a role model and to be an idol for the young students who look up to this program,” junior Carmelo Clawson said.

The matchup itself is no small task. The Indians are set to face Texas’ number one running back, Javian Osborne, for the Forney Jackrabbits, a test that will push the defense to its limits.

“This will not be an easy game … defense came to hit,” sophomore Aaron Snell said.

With the meaning behind this game, some of the players and coaches said they’re inspired to give everything they’ve got.

“This week the game plan is to stick to the basics,” Waxahachie offensive coach Corey Brown said. “We’re going to focus on getting lined up, making the right calls and going to the right people and if we do that we have a great chance at winning.”

While the spotlight may be on stopping Texas’ top rusher, the Indians are focused on more than stats and highlights. Every tackle, every drive and every point scored will carry extra weight, because this game is about honoring those who have battled cancer. 

No matter the final score, this Gold Out will be remembered as a night of courage, unity and purpose, a game where the Indians weren’t just playing football, but playing for something far greater.