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Southern Oregon Journal: Little Rigsby’s dad and the high-flying Eagles Sunday Oct 16, 2016 at 12:01 AM By Peggy Dover for the Mail Tribune During this morning’s walk, I had the delightful opportunity to chat with Rigsby Womack, the preschool-age son of Seth and Alyssa Womack of Eagle Point. Rigsby’s dad is head coach of the Eagle Point High School football program. Rigsby and I didn’t discuss this year’s amazing updraft for the Eagles, because he was occupied with practicing his dental skills on his mom. She cooperated by lying still on the front porch, while Rigsby, complete with handkerchief surgical mask, “cleaned” her teeth. Alyssa had to interpret for Rigsby because of his mask, but he struck me as quite serious about the business. As we visited, Coach Womack came home for lunch. We talked briefly about the season and the next challenge that occurred on Friday. It was senior night, their final home game during the regular season. I couldn’t help but marvel at the turnaround. Two years back, I wrote in Southern Oregon Journal about teams down on their season rising from the pit of despair, summoning their inner gladiator, and finishing respectably against the odds. I turned the spotlight on the flagging Eagle Point Eagles football team, which had recently, while in mid-48-0-plummet (not the first lopsided loss) roused to complete a 79-yard touchdown and finish by scoring the final 13 points of the game. They ended the season 0-9, but they were not skunked on Homecoming. They had a team of young men who didn’t roll over, but went down grappling. Two years later, the team is not simply managing to score. They win tough games against good teams. They’ve worked hard toward a common goal and experienced the pride of success. That speaks volumes to those who have followed along with them. This year, with the Eagles flying high at 5-1 overall, 3-1 in league, they just might make the playoffs for the first time since 1997. But no matter how the rest of the season plays out, Coach Womack, the entire coaching staff and team have turned a bright corner for the Eagle Point football program. Last Friday, I joined the cheering throng that packed the Eagle Point stadium for the battle against Ashland. I felt proud of our fans, who respected the other team and behaved like adults. The halftime show honored our military and the red, white and blue at a time when we may need to be reminded of freedom’s cost. Hometown camaraderie was tangible and contagious — a treat. But if we hadn’t endured years of defeat, would we have been as exuberant? There’s something energizing about watching a team come from the dregs to make a jaw-dropping finish. When we witness the example of others who fought their way back, there’s hope for us as individuals and as a nation. We root for that. Even though the seniors will move on, there is now a feeder program in place from the junior high, and the momentum should propel them forward. But sports participation is much more than winning games. It helps train young people how to live life well — how to work with and care for others, how to handle disappointment. Seasons fade, but integrity lives on. One final, gentle word to parents of little guys playing in Pop Warner from two moms, one a former athletic director’s assistant and the other, wife of a high school football coach — allow your children to enjoy the game. The world’s pressures come soon enough. Alyssa Womack told me that Rigsby was named for Mel Gibson’s character of Martin Riggs from the 1987 movie "Lethal Weapon." I love the name. Never saw the movie. His parents undoubtedly have dreams for him. But he’s exploring his options, and today, he was a dentist. — Peggy Dover is a freelance writer living in Eagle Point. Reach her at [email protected].