We all need role models, people to look up to that show us a path to success, people that show us how to handle adversity, people that show us how to prevail against overwhelming odds.

So who would make the perfect role model for Thursday Night Football Madness? Beatrix Biddo. That’s right, The Bride, a former member of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad.

The Bride never gave up even when she was shot in the head and left for dead at a Texas chapel on the day of her wedding rehearsal. After coming out of a coma, she systematically took out the members of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad.

She faced overwhelming odds when she took out O-Ren Ishii’s Yakuza army, including the elite Crazy 88 and O-Ren’s personal bodyguard Gogo Yubari. Then there was her epic duel with O-Renherself.

She didn’t quit after getting blasted in the chest with buck shot by Budd. She used the martial arts techniques she learned from master Pai Mei to punch her way out of a coffin and claw her way to the surface. She picked up her Hattori Hanzo sword and went back on her rampage of vengeance.

The Bride went toe-to-toe with Elle Driver in an epic catfight for the ages.

It all led up to the final confrontation with Bill, her former lover and the leader of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad. The Bride used the Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique to vanquish Bill. Bill didn’t even know how to execute the Five Point Palm Exploding Heart technique.

The point is … and there is a point to this … the point is Thursday Night Football Madness is the Five Point Palm Exploding Heart technique of the OCVarsity Universe.

Game of the night: Cypress at Western, 7 p.m.

Why you should care: Western is 3-1 and Cypress is 2-1 entering this Empire League opener. There are only three guaranteed playoff berths in this seven-team league, so every game has playoff implications.

Cypress is coming off a 42-35 victory over Cabrillo of Long Beach. Jake Brito is the player to watch for the Centurions. He has rushed for 456 yards and four TDs on 74 carries.

Western is off to its best start in years and is coming off a 21-0 victory over Anaheim. The Pioneers love to pound away on the ground and they are averaging 157.5 yards per game. Lafaele Masaniai is the team’s leading rusher with 342 yards and one TD on 75 carries. Kyle Manliguis is a playmaker on defense with four picks.

ALSO ON THE THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL MADNESS AGENDA:

Villa Park at El Modena, 7 p.m.: The Spartans quest for a third consecutive Century League title begins against the Vanguards.

Anaheim vs. Loara at Glover Stadium, 7 p.m.: A pair of crosstown rivals battle for neighborhood bragging rights.

Estancia vs. University at Irvine High, 7 p.m.: The Eagles might be without star tailback Robert Murtha, who injured his ankle in last week’s 20-18 loss to Irvine.

Santiago vs. Santa Ana Valley at Santa Ana Stadium, 7 p.m.: The Falcons are looking to get back on track after back-to-back losses to Irvine and Bellflower.

Sonora vs. Rancho Alamitos at Garden Grove High, 7 p.m.: The vaqueros are off to a 3-0 start and are averaging 223.0 rushing yards per game, while the Raiders are off to a 1-2 start.

Lynwood vs. Los Alamitos at Veterans Stadium, 7 p.m.: The Griffins are looking for their second straight victory. Lynwood is coming off a 49-6 victory over winless Lancaster.

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