Declan's football team consisted of 10-11 year old boys in the 5th and 6th grades. Declan was one of the younger boys this year but he held his own against some pretty big guys. He had daily practice Monday thru Friday for two hours, full pads and helmet during the hottest time of the year here. Despite the heat and long practices, Dec really enjoyed football. Declan always tries to do his best and is quick to follow orders and rules. One of the rules his coach enforced was if you didn't have your mouthpiece with you at practice you then had to run the entire two hour practice. Declan was terrified of losing/forgetting his mouthpiece and I can't say I blame him his coach was hard core. Although the men who coach pee-wee/mighty/flag football are volunteers they devote enough time and energy to it that they take it pretty seriously just ask Eddy (coaches McCoy and Archer's team). In a way it is like a living fantasy football team as they have a draft to select teams, weeks of competitive play and then playoffs. Eddy's team has made it through the first round of playoffs with a sound win and is headed for the second round of playoffs this Saturday.
Declan the Football Player
Declan's team was the Eagle Green team and he wore jersey #36. Unfortunately, his team was soundly defeated at all games but one. Declan ever the optimist is quick to point out they usually scored at least one touchdown. Declan being a bigger 5th grader had to line up against the largest 6th grader who had a hundred pounds on him. Let's just say Declan had a quite a few bruises most of the time which I didn't like to see him have. Football is great exercise but can be a bit brutal hopefully these extra years of playing football will prepare him for playing in junior high and high school and teach him the right techniques to help keep him safe and uninjured.
Declan on the line in center of photo in 3 point position
Declan at game in Morenci, Az
Coaches last talk after final defeat and end of the season
Declan says: Don't forget your mouthpiece or any of your equipment
and you're going to get hurt a lot!
He's looking forward to playing again next year, boys they just love football. As I type this Quinton just wiped his sweaty head on Zaynzley arm grossing her out. To tattle on him she runs to me says with her limited vocabulary, "Quinty head pooh on me. Ewww!" Translated: "Quinton wiped his head sweat on my arm. Totally gross!"
Yeah, boys do like football and getting sweaty!
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