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| Photo by Mollie Miller |
| The Fort Rucker Varsity Falcons hoist their championship trophy into the air Saturday following their 18-13 win over the Troy Redskins at the Youth Services ball fields. |
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Bringing down the house
Youth Services Varsity Football team claims league championship
By Mollie Miller, Army Flier News Editor
The Youth Services Varsity Falcons football team soared to victory over the Troy Redskins 18-13 to claim the Dale County Youth Football League championship title Saturday at the Youth Services ball fields here.
“The boys played with heart,” Coach Scott Johnson said. “They knew they could win the game in the fourth quarter, and they did.”
The championship game, highlighted by a strong Falcon running game, fierce and accurate Redskin passes and a handful of fumbles, showcased the skills the young football players had honed during a season of tough games against opponents from around the Wiregrass area.
“When the boys showed up to the first practice they were definitely out of shape and many had forgotten some of the basic skills they learned from previous seasons (so) the coaches went back to the basics and focused on fundamentals all season long,” Johnson said. “I would say the boys’ greatest strength was that they were in better shape than the teams we faced this season, which allowed them to take over the championship game in the fourth quarter.”
The 2008 season marked the first time Fort Rucker had the opportunity to play teams outside of Daleville and Ozark. Youth Services Sports Director Randy Tolison said the expanded league this year offered the young players more opportunities to play different teams, which greatly enhanced their football experience.
“It was a great 10-game season,” he said. “The Falcons did really well this year and I am thrilled to death for the coaches, players and parents.”
The football players were not the only Fort Rucker youth to claim a championship title Saturday. The Falcons Varsity Cheerleaders also placed first in the league’s cheerleading competition.
Falcons Varsity Cheerleading Coach Paul Prince said he is very proud of his cheerleaders and how they have grown both in skills and confidence during the past few months.
“The girls have gone from being very shy to really wanting to get out on the field to cheer for their team,” he said. “Youth sports is all about learning new skills and having fun and I think we did both of those things this year.”
Johnson said, like the cheerleaders, the Fort Rucker football players have grown both mentally and physically during the past football season and he is looking forward to seeing what the future holds for many of the young men who are now league champions.
Now that football season is over, Youth Services staff are busy registering kids to participate in youth basketball. Registration runs through Nov. 28. For information about the upcoming season, call 255-9105.
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