Despite the cold night, Shiner St. Paul football coach Jake Wachsmuth didn't mind his ice bath one bit.

A community came together across generations to see the next crop of young men go to battle for the honor of school and town.

Residents at the Shiner Nursing and Rehabilitation Center was abuzz with the imminent visit of the Shiner St. Paul High School football players and cheerleaders on the eve of their TAPPS Division III state final game against Cedar Hill Trinity Christian at Bastrop Memorial Stadium.

Wachsmuth's Cardinals earned their fifth TAPPS championship Friday night, after defeating defending champion Cedar Hill Trinity Christian, 43-40, in the Division III title game at Bastrop Memorial Stadium. The win completes a perfect season for the Cardinals, who finish the year with a 14-0 record.