MERIDIAN — Marsh Valley played back-to-back state champ Sugar-Salem better than any other team had all season. And when the final whistle blew, the Eagles stormed the field with arms raised.

They deserved to celebrate. A loss at the hands of the Digger dynasty meant Marsh Valley was bringing home a second-place trophy — “history,” as head coach Melissa Olsen called it.

Olsen said, “Hell yeah,” her team was proud, and they earned that right.

“Second place is nothing to shake your head at,” she said. “We are second in state — we proved that today. I think we scared Sugar a little bit today. We gave them a hell of a game. I’m proud of that.”

The Digger players, at least co-captain Andee Petterson, were feeling a touch of fear.

Sugar-Salem finished the year with a perfect 18-0 record, the

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