They are Division Champions!
Champions! Every single one of those boys. Champs. They earned this title.
They started practice on July 30. Three days a week with a game on the weekend. They practice hard. They played each game hard. They got out of it what they put into it - results. The best.
All of the boys played hard and played to win. We are so proud of them and I am speaking for all of the parents, family members and the S-VE community!
The beginning of the game - meeting the opponents, referees and calling the coin toss. Panthers lost the toss.
The Tigers were a talented team. They were ready for us. It was their team that scored first. That was all our Panthers needed. Time to get serious and play the game. These teams were a good match. Our boys came back fighting and evened the score. Elliott blocked a guy built just like him but he shut him down so many times and ran for tackles that the Tigers had to change their plays. The Panthers punted and even though I was paying attention, I did not know it was Elliott who was going to punt until one of the 9-10 year old football players said, "Who is number 25?" I said, "Elliott Walter, my son." I was nervous because I remembered his other punt. It was not a good punt. However, Elliott's friend said, "He's been practicing at the Y (the after-school program), he'll kick it." And he did punt it well. High and long. He did not rush but took his time and it was good! He played the whole game, like always. But after this game, he was exhausted. He had numerous tackles, recovered a Tigers fumble and had the best game of this season. This was his game as it was for every Panther on the field!
Overall, the game was the perfect game. There were few penalty calls and the other team, our hosts, were sportsman. The game was played clean.
Friday night at the end of practice, one of the coaches told the team that they were also going to play for a helmet. We are located at the end of Halsey Valley road and the Tigers are at the other end. Half the helmet is painted like the Tigers helmet, the other half, is painted for the Panthers. They wanted to touch that helmet at practice but they had to win first to touch it. Inspiration. A tactic to encourage the players to play their best. Perhaps. They won the game and the helmet! On Friday the Division Champs will be introduced by player during the varsity game, which happens to be against the Tigers. So Division Champions as well as the winners of the Halsey Valley helmet.
All of those mighty, might Panthers came off the field, sweaty, standing tall and smiling. After the game, they had a surprise treat behind the stands.
We had to corral them and get them grouped for photos. Here are some shots I managed to get. Elliott, because he is the tallest, is in the back.
Elliott is looking at the helmet.
Smiling for the camera or anticipating those cupcakes.
Meet the champions...
So proud of each of you - you are all champions!
Congratulations to the coaching staff as well!
Now we're back to three practices per week, preparing for the road to the Super Bowl.
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