if you are not a part of a program that has a tradition then you would never understand "tradition". the oak ridge tradition is long and rich with history. many, many men have walked those same steps the team walks today and many of those teams have brought championships home to the ridge. these men and this "tradition" have helped to give oak ridge football the praise and recognition and respect we so enjoy today. the players and the fans will NEVER turn their backs on this "tradition" and adopt your "that was then, this is now" attitude.
the boys today grew up hearing about the "legends" adn watching the players walk down the steps, slapping their shoulders as they made their way down, dreaming of being one of those wildcats one day walking those steps. alot of them have fathers who played and some grandfathers. they take great pride in being a wildcat and being a part of the "tradition" they grew up with. and who knows, there may be times when the going is tough that they reach way down deep inside of themselves to find they have something so alive burning deep within their soul that it will carry them through. and what they might be finding my hot and saucy little friend is the desire to succeed and to live up to the "tradition" that their fathers, brothers and grandfathers have passed on to them.
you are right that this is the game that matters. and you shouldn't speak so quickly about being cocky. there are people on here making predictions. but the wildcats are not being cocky. all of their energy and concentration is on the game. and, one last friendly word of advice, you might want to be careful with YOUR cockiness. you might just give a pack of wildcats something to feed on!