On the corner of Section Street and U.S. 12 in Edwardsburg, a large hand-painted sign leaning against a telephone pole tells everyone who passes that they have entered Eddies territory.

The sign reads, “Eaton Rapids, you’re not playing a school. You’re playing a town.”

For any other team exhibiting this statement right across the street from its school, this may sound like a nothing more than a competitive challenge. But with the rollercoaster of emotions the village of Edwardsburg experienced last week, it’s hard to interpret the message any other way than as a heartwarming display of hometown pride.

Tuesday night, hundreds of people helplessly watched on site or through the media as a boarding stable on Elkhart Road burned to the ground with 20 animals inside. Horses, dogs and other pets belonging to other people were lost in the blaze despite hours of effort by several area fire departments.

Three days later, the Edwardsburg Eddies took home a regional championship, defeating the Eaton Rapids Greyhounds 42-8.

As I watched as an outsider a town over, I realized that in good times and in bad, Edwardsburg residents truly care about one another.

In the days following the devastating fire and leading up to the regional championship hosted at Edwardsburg, social media swarmed with ways to support not only the team heading into the big game, but the people dealing with such a grave loss. Businesses like Fat Cam’s offered donation jars to raise funds to help the family that owns the stable, while others provided products for Eddies fans to show their spirit with blue and orange gear. So many local organizations wanted to publicly show their support for their team that we had to make more room on the Eddies fan sig page in last week’s Argus.

I’m a Bobcat through and through and when I graduated the Eddies were still one of Brandywine’s biggest rivals, but even I can’t help but feel pride for these people who are so loyal to their neighbors.

I was so impressed with the overwhelming support that I wasn’t the least bit surprised to hear the team had completely dominated Eaton Rapids Friday night, and I was glad for them.

I’m confident that when the Eddies take on Grand Rapids South Christian in the semi-finals Saturday they’ll be coming home to a town full of people cheering for them, no matter the outcome of the game.

Win or lose, this town has a lot to be proud of.

 

Ambrosia Neldon is the managing editor at Leader Publications. She can be reached by phone at (269) 687-7713, or by email at ambrosia.neldon@leaderpub.com.