This weekend, the 10-year Rec Chiefs took to Riley Field to face their fourth opponent of the year. There was a good crowd and the cheerleaders were there. The boys, most of whom are playing football for the first time this year, were excited for a good game.
The opponent had been averaging over 40 points a game and the defense was going to have its work cut out for them. However, this opponent was not a first-year team with new players but rather an experienced team who previously played at a higher level but did not win enough games to suit the parents and coaches, so they decided to, and the Southern Youth Football Conference allowed, this experienced team to play the lowest level of football.
On the first play, the mismatch was obvious as the intensity of hits by larger players with years of experience delivered on beginning players was worthy of Sports Center.
As a community we can be proud of these young men whose fear was written on their faces but continued to take the field as their units were called and substitutes were sent in for injured players. These boys showed courage that far out-measured their experience.
As important, we should be proud of the Peachtree City coaches who stopped this game before the first quarter was over. Each play ended with one or more PTC players down on the field. The safety of the boys was placed as a higher priority than finishing an event that was never a game.
The opponents called the boys “chicken” and “quitters.” They were neither. One PTC parent worried the boys needed to be tougher. But the grit it took to keep going on the field as teammates were coming off the field injured reflected toughness and the hearts of lions, but what our young men lack is experience, and they will gain that through the rest of the season, as they are far from quitters.
Football is a tough sport, it takes years to learn how to take and deliver a hit, but it takes one bad experience to drive players from the sport and keep others from trying.
While the “adults” of the opposition chose to value winning over competition, it is refreshing to see our adults put the safety of children in sports before the pyrrhic victory of staying on the field and risking further injuries. Thank you to the Peachtree City coaches for doing the right thing and leading our young men.
At noon this Saturday, the 10U REC Chiefs will be back at Riley field to take on the 10U Sharpsburg REC Stallions and these young men will be back playing a game they love.
A Parent
(Name withheld by request)
