PLAY WITH ALL YOUR HEART

The first flag football season for Arborbrook’s 11-12 year old team concluded last Saturday at the Siskey YMCA.  We had 11 players and they competed in a league that played 5 on 5.  Our goal at the beginning of the season was to make sure the players had fun, played all the positions, and that the final score did not determine winners and losers.  Our team motto was:  “Play With All Your Heart.”   

We asked who wanted to play quarterback during the first practice, five hands went up.  No one wanted to play center.  By mid season 10 of the players wanted to try quarterback.   By the end of the season, 10 of the 11 players had played quarterback.  All eleven players had played running back, wide receiver, and center.    Nine different players scored touchdowns.  All players played offense and defense in every game.

There were weekly highlights that deserved recognition.  Next year, we will do game by game write ups along with updates on practices.  The players and coaches progress was evident week after week as we all learned from each other.  One highlight that should make each parent proud was not at a game but at the end of practice.   The Siskey YMCA starts each game with a prayer and they ask for volunteers.  No one volunteered at the first game.  Coach Scott asked the players at the next practice who wanted to say the prayer at the next game.   Almost every hand shot up.  Our team said the opening prayer at the beginning of every game for the rest of the season.

We believe the players had fun.  We believe they learned about football.  We believe they learned that winning is not based solely on the final score.  We believe they played with all their heart to the glory of God.  By the way, we finished the regular season with 3 wins, 4 losses, and one tie playing in a league that did not share our philosophy. 

We would like to thank the parents for their support and teaching their sons commitment and responsibility.  We never had to start a practice late because all the players were always on time.   We asked that the players be on the field 30 minutes before game time and most of them were there 40 minutes early.

We are looking forward to next season and began planning while walking off the field last Saturday.   One change has already been implemented.  We are now the Arborbrook Falcons.