A gift shop has a mannequin dressed like a cheerleader named Wilberta who's been placed on the sidewalk for every home game for the last two seasons, which just happens to coincide with the team's run of success.

"I think she's a very good luck charm," proclaims Georgia Fryar, who works at the gift shop.

Obviously it's worked so far, and the mannequin is no dummy when it comes to supporting the right team, as Cassville is the only area school this year to make it to the Edward R. Jones Dome in St. Louis.

Considering the Wildcat football program had only one playoff victory in the school's history before last year's run at the state title, folks in Cassville are enjoying the return trip just as much.

"It's all you're going to hear downtown," said school board president John Sullivan. "Coffee shops, convenience stores, it's the talk of the town. We all realize that to go back-to-back is a big deal and we're the only ones left. We're not only representing Cassville, we're representing southwest Missouri. That's huge."

The players, who got the memory of a lifetime last year, realize how special it is to get a second shot at immortality.

"That would be the greatest thing to go back and win state as a senior," said running back Joseph Gouvion. "That's the only way I want to go out: on top."

Perhaps no one puts it in perspective better than Doyle Angel, whose grandson plays for Cassville. Sixty years ago, Doyle played and lost in a state final at Waldron, Ark. Now he truly appreciates the rare chance to see history in the making.

"I'm 77 years old," he said. "I haven't got too many years left to watch this, so getting what we got now is fantastic for me."

No doubt, the rest of Wildcat Nation feels the same way.