“It is my obligation to help you totally understand the significance of this day,” Calhoun High School Principal Wanda Westmoreland told the Yellow Jacket football team Friday morning.

The day’s significance, of course, is the state championship football game against the Buford Wolves to follow later this afternoon.

The seniors on this team, said Westmoreland, have been “preparing for the next few hours” for four years with countless practices, endless coaching and rivers of sweat.

She encouraged the team to approach this challenge courageously as they sat in the high school auditorium, surrounded by their fellow students.

“(You must) have raw, undeniable, testosterone-driven courage,” she said. “There is nothing more powerful than a humble man with courage in his heart.”

The Yellow Jackets have come close to the championship as runners-up in 2005 and 2008. Westmoreland reminded the team that this championship is ultimately in their hands.

“No matter how much everyone else may want this for you … you have to want this from the depths of your being,” she told them. “Only you will make this happen … it’s about loving it.”

This year’s Jackets have the confidence of men who were in their shoes during the 1952 state championship.

“Ya’ll have a great coach in Hal Lamb and his assistants,” said Jimmy Silvers, a member of the team of ’52. “I’m sure he’s going to lead ya’ll to the victory tonight.”

Silvers encouraged the students to stay involved with Calhoun football even after they graduate. He said he’s been watching the high school play for 40 years and has only missed 15 games during that time.

“You boys have spoiled us,” said Jimmy Prater, another 1952 team member. “We know you’re going to win … We come to see how many points you’re going to score.”

Prater also praised the cheerleading squad and marching band, who perform at every game; he called this year’s state championship cheerleaders “first class all the way.”

Students watched a video recapping this year’s perfect season, and the players’ mothers formed a procession across the stage holding posters with their sons’ favorite Bible verses.

Stay tuned to the Calhoun Times Web site throughout the day for updates on the activities of Calhoun fans and the football team, as well as comprehensive game coverage. The game is set to begin in the Georgia Dome in downtown Atlanta at 4:30 p.m.