The rain came and went on Sunday, providing a beautiful afternoon for some football! Yet what truly makes football beautiful isn’t the game itself, but the people that partake in it. People such as Juanita Flores who came out to Ridgeview High School to see her grandsons play for the 6u and 10u Woodland Acre Wolverines.
“This is such a great atmosphere to see the kids running around and having a good time. I stay smiling because everyday is a great day for me. With so much going on around us I realize it could be a lot worse.”
Ms Flores has a lot to smile about. Not only do her grandkids play on the teams, but she also has two sons that coach the teams. One of her sons Kyle, coaches 8u, and Kris Carabello, coaches the 6u Wolverines. “I’ve been coaching for about three years now. I just love the kids, teaching the kids,watching them come out here and just excel, do their job and win. I do it for the kids”-Carabello
Coach Carabello’s son Eden is only five years old but is one of the toughest players on the team. He takes after his father who played High School football at Sandalwood, and was one of the toughest players on their 1995 state runner up team. ” I learned so much being on that team, being around so many great coaches and so many great players. I’m able to share these moments with my son, but also translate what I learned to these kids and prepare them for 8u then 10u and build them, and build them and build them”.
The process of building begins and ends with the player. The player’s desire to want to play the game. His or her will to work hard and get better. And for Sasha Williams, she’s seen her son make an incredible jump between year one and year two of playing football.
” This is different for him. Last year he wasn’t as focused and kinda played around on the field. This year I like his thrill and drive for the game, he’s excited to score and tackle.”
Sasha was an athlete at Eugene Butler Middle School and Raines High School, but attributes her son’s maturation in football to Back to the Basics training. “They are great! Mentors, training, it’s been amazing”. Her son Christopher Dancy (rb)scored several times for the Wolverines including a 50yard scamper to the end zone. But he wasn’t alone. Trevon Edwards -qb /cb #19 scored three touchdowns but two were called back. His father, who is an active participant in the volunteer efforts with his son, played football at Jackson in 2008. Son following in Dad’s footsteps, most certainly a beautiful thing!
Check out some of the action from Sunday’s Kickoff Classic below!
And don’t forget to follow us during the regular season for game recaps, player spotlights, team rankings & more!
