"It's all about tradition here," said Strauss, a sixth-grade language arts teacher at Shiner Elementary. "Playoffs are part of our lives."
The stretch of pavement outside the campus was lined by Shiner students Wednesday morning wishing their Comanches well at the state finals game.
Strauss' son was on the team last year.
"We're all about being here for each other," Strauss, 54, said.
Strauss, who is also Shiner High School's cheer sponsor, traveled with her squad to Arlington on Wednesday afternoon.
Last year, the Comanches lost the state semifinal game against Mart.
Last week, Shiner defeated Mart and punched its ticket to the state championship for the first time since 2004.
"I call us a Cinderella team," Strauss said. "This team is all about heart."
Jacquis Miller, 11, shouted, "Comanches" from the top of his lungs as the bus rolled by.
"They've worked hard at this," said Jacquis, a sixth-grade student at Shiner.
Kenneth Coleman, 48, was there with his wife, Keisha, to bid their cousin, running back Marcus Coleman, the best of luck.
"This is going to be one of the biggest highlights of his life," Kenneth Coleman said. "Just to be in this spot."
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Shiner High School BELIEVE!
Purple and gold ribbons
students cheer team bus
team managers pose