Football is a sport that tests grit, teamwork, and heart. Under the bright lights and roaring crowds, it becomes a battlefield where players push their limits, forging bonds that last a lifetime. It’s about the lessons learned in victory and defeat, the sacrifice behind every yard gained, and the unbreakable spirit that defines the sport. Football isn’t just played; it’s lived, shaping not only athletes but the communities that surround them. For these communities one goal is true, to win the national championship game and etch their name into college football glory. The national championship game is more than just a battle for a trophy- it is the culmination of dedication, sacrifice, and relentless pursuit of greatness. For the teams that make it this far it represents the sweat, tears, and to validate a season’s worth of blood. It is where legacies are forged, dreams are realized, and a single game can define an entire program for years to come. In this ultimate test of resilience and skill, only one team will emerge as champions. For, The Ohio State Buckeyes and Notre Dame this was the case. The Buckeyes were powered by revenge and the need to prove to not just themselves but everyone that they were the best team in the nation. Notre Dame is a team fueled by grit, tradition, and a hunger for their first national title in decades. This championship clash was a great battle but one that ends a team’s season with heartbreak or with glory. For The Ohio State Buckeyes, they ended their season with glory and gold with a dominant win over Notre Dame ending the game with a score of 34-23. The Ohio State Buckeyes had proved the doubters wrong that they could win the big game. Gabriel Atwell (11) and Eli Harrison (12) both shared the glory of this victory and also its bragging rights. Atwell shares his experience seeing his team win the national championship.
“Oh, it feels great, you know. It’s real nice haven’t done it in 10 years. so it feels real great,” Atwell said.
Ohio State has many superstars who made great plays during their season but there were only a handful of those that made special plays. Eli Harrison (12) comments on what those key moments were that led to Ohio State’s victory.
“I think they’re a few big plays in each game. um you know, you had the the jacks sawyer scoop and score to win the game against Texas and then some big plays against Oregon and Tennessee that set us up for success,” Harrison said.
During the game, many fan’s confidence in their team may have stayed strong the entire time but for others, their confidence may have fallen and risen. Atwell shares how confident he was in Ohio State going into the game.
“I was feeling really confident but when [Notre Dame] started to come back, I got a little bit worried, but we’re fine,” Atwell said.
Some key moments led to their victory. However also some devastating moments for this team. Harrison shares what his thoughts about the team were after the Michigan loss.
“I was concerned, but also I kinda I kind of knew that that would uh bring them together because the last time we won a national championship in 2014, we lost the Virginia Tech early in the season and that brought the team together and propelled us toward our last national championship,” Harrison said.
After this game, however, they went on a run of a lifetime and won the national championship game. Harrison shares what this means for the team’s legacy.
“It’s huge, especially for Ryan Day’s legacy,” Harrison said.
However, Gabe Cannon (12), Kara Gresham (11), and Davis Boals (12) were not happy with Ohio State winning the National Championship game. Cannon shares why he preferred Notre Dame over Ohio State in the game.
“Ohio State beat my team and I really wanted them to lose. They needed to lose and they didn’t, but you know what? I guess getting beat by the national champions doesn’t sound as bad. So could have went either way,” Cannon said.
This victory for Ohio State makes other teams realize that they are a powerhouse of a school that other teams should not underestimate. Gresham shares how this outcome affects the broader landscape of college football.
“Other teams are gonna want to kill them in one of them is gonna be Georgia, so go bulldogs,” Gresham said.
The people watching the game had different overall enjoyments throughout the entire game but for some an indifferent enjoyment. Boals shares how Ohio State’s victory impacted his overall enjoyment of the game.
“Overall, I was pretty unbiased, so I just enjoyed watching some good football, you know, Ohio State, good team. They earned it,” Boals said.
Everybody has their feelings on Ohio State some great some not so great. However for some just an overall confusing feeling. Cannon shares any particular moments that reinforced his feelings about Ohio State.
“Yeah. I mean. I just don’t know. They just throw that crap up and somehow they catch it every time, you know what I’m saying, but I guess it works for some people, not for Tennessee, but uh a good team can’t take anything away from them,” Cannon said.
After Ohio State’s loss to Michigan, many individuals believed Ohio State to be a fraud of a team and that they didn’t deserve to be ranked as high. These individuals believed that Ohio State would lose the first round of the playoffs. Cannon shares what he thought of Ohio State after the Michigan loss.
“I thought they were frauds. I’m not gonna lie after they lost to Michigan, I thought they were frauds and they were gonna be a first round exit, but I got proven wrong,” Cannon said.
Delusion is one of the many steps in the 7 steps of grief. For some people, this delusion hides the fact that Ohio State did win the national championship game and that they are a great team. Gresham shares her delusion about how Ohio State performed in this game.
“They are very weak, and very little. Overall a sad team. They definitely cheated,” Gresham said.
In the aftermath of the national championship game, emotions ran high on both sides. For the victorious team and its fans, the triumph marked the culmination of years of dedication, hard work, and unwavering belief. Celebration erupted as players lifted the trophy, cementing their place in history. On the other hand, the losing team and its supporters felt the sting of heartbreak, knowing how close they had come to glory. Yet, despite the contrasting emotions, both fan bases shared a deep love for the game, a passion that fuels the intensity of college sports. As one season ends another season begins to take shape.
