Meet the future generation of Stratford Tiger Football! We figured it out today and if they continue as they are, by the time Tegan is old enough to play, Stratford will be making a run for the 12peat at the title.This team is just as committed and wants that win just as badly as the high school team does. They might only be 8 years old and in the third grade but they have practice Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights, learn plays and have scrimmages just like the big guys.
They also have regular games on weekends whether it rains or shines. Take today for an example. They had to play in Wisconsin Rapids today at 9:00 am, so they had to be there by 8:00. This means these boys had to be up, dressed and on the road by 7:00 am! It's Saturday morning for heaven's sake and it's raining!! But there they all were and not one of them cared that they were getting drenched. They were out there doing their warm ups, high fiving each other, smacking each others helmets, and standing around waiting to start the game.
The game starts and you can tell they forget about the rain, They focus only on the football and what the coaches are telling them.
They are driven to play good and do what they are supposed to. When the come out of the game they stand on the sidelines and they pay attention to what they are being told by the coach and they don't play around, They watch what is going on out on the field because they know they will be going back in and they want to be ready when that happens. They hustle on and off the field and while they are playing you would swear you were watching kids much older.
They have only been playing together a few weeks (I believe practice began August 13th) but they have formed a bond between the team and the coaches that is really great to see, The coaches have started giving the boys nicknames according to things they pick up on during practice. I heard:Colonel, Sparky and Butter today at the game. I also heard a lot of praises from the coaches and a lot of pats on the backs.
They also have regular games on weekends whether it rains or shines. Take today for an example. They had to play in Wisconsin Rapids today at 9:00 am, so they had to be there by 8:00. This means these boys had to be up, dressed and on the road by 7:00 am! It's Saturday morning for heaven's sake and it's raining!! But there they all were and not one of them cared that they were getting drenched. They were out there doing their warm ups, high fiving each other, smacking each others helmets, and standing around waiting to start the game.The game starts and you can tell they forget about the rain, They focus only on the football and what the coaches are telling them.
They are driven to play good and do what they are supposed to. When the come out of the game they stand on the sidelines and they pay attention to what they are being told by the coach and they don't play around, They watch what is going on out on the field because they know they will be going back in and they want to be ready when that happens. They hustle on and off the field and while they are playing you would swear you were watching kids much older.
They have only been playing together a few weeks (I believe practice began August 13th) but they have formed a bond between the team and the coaches that is really great to see, The coaches have started giving the boys nicknames according to things they pick up on during practice. I heard:Colonel, Sparky and Butter today at the game. I also heard a lot of praises from the coaches and a lot of pats on the backs. This little 3rd grade team creamed their opponents 33-0 (just like their older Tiger teammates) so standing in the rain for an hour and a half was well worth it. I can't wait to do it when Tegan is in high school and playing for Stratford High Tigers. I'm sure I'll embarrass the hell out of him by all the yelling I'll do (I tend to be a little loud). When the game was all over and they had won the game, I saw these boys (without any prompting from the coaches) tell the other boys what a good game they had played. I am so proud of them.
Go Tigers!
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