Young 'Hawks are true champs Team ends football season undefeated, 9-0 .
Posted on Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Fourth-grade football players for Pea Ridge started practice Aug. 4. They played their last game of the season Nov. 1, winning 24-0 over Siloam Springs.
This team was able to go undefeated, 9-0, and unscored on, beating their opponents 214-0. Most coaches would be very proud of the accomplishment, which I am, as are the other five coaches, Brack Cauldill, Brian Wright, Freddy Truesdell, James Scott and Robbie Johnson.
With 24 seconds left in the game, Micheal Schelisman was injured. The official placed the importance on the player, as he should. After talking with Micheal and the first responders, we knew that he was fine. However, just to be safe, he was taken to Mercy Medical Center by ambulance. The responders were correct, Micheal was fine and ready to practice baseball the next day.
So what makes a coach more proud of the team than a 9-0 record and being unscored on ? After Micheal left the field, his teammates were told he was fine. They were also told that they had a great season, we’re proud of you, you finished what you started and great job. Then we asked the team if they had anything they wanted to say. Not one player wanted to talk about the game or the season. They only wanted to talk about their teammate. Some things you can’t coach. This team has “ it. ”
As for the game, the defense started strong as always, hitting hard. Siloam was able to put together some drives before Pea Ridge would stifle them. Defense was led by Chandler Tidwell, Duncan Truesdell, Cole Wright, Britton Caudill, Zaine Holley, Jacob Torres and Micheal Schelisman. We were unable to have stats for this game. But these players are not concerned about stats. Tyler Stewart, Jake Henry, Brett Scott, Brandon Johnson, Aron Tuszynski, Austin Anderson, Tyler Wallace, Jaylee Kelley, Hunter Gaston and Clayton Brown all had a great season on defense.
Offensively, the Blackhawks took the football and drove straight down the field to score. Maybe it was to get points on the board or maybe to let the bigger Siloam team know that if you want to come to our house and win, you’re going to have to earn it. The second series had running and passing for another score. The Blackhawks went into halftime with a 16-0 lead.
As the second half started, the team was instructed not to think about next year or the next game, only the next play as they had been instructed to do all year. So we decided to take a look at what next year might look like. Cole Wright completed three straight passes, ending with a touchdown strike to Schelisman. Up front blocking was dominated by Tanner Flippo, Beau German, B. Johnson, Kamden Boyd, Hunter Shackelford, Seth Trammel, Aron Tuszynski, Wyatt Weber, Jake Henery, Jonathan Pinto and Dylan Nelson. Other ’Hawks with a great season were Spencer Marler, Logan Johnson, Landon Rhine, Joseph Ortiz, Easton Lane, Tanner Stamps and Toby Swift.
Every player who started the season finished the season.
Every game we were greeted and supported by the cheer squad: Ashley Wallace, Hailey Beauchamp, Tessa Pack, Hailey Howell, Maggie Fletcher, Rachel Luper and Colton Cypert.
Every game parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters and friends cheered for this team. Every game the players showed class and respect, for the game and their opponents. We were told more than once that this is the best team for this age people had ever seen.
So what makes a coach proud ? Every single person who had a part, 0-9 or 9-0. This kind of effort makes champions !
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