No Quit in the 5th Grade Black

Well, it was not how we wanted to start a football game off this past Saturday, when we fumbled on our second offensive snap and consequently gave up a quick touchdown. That start to the first half was followed with more inability to move the ball on offense and three other touchdown runs right through the middle of our defense. I don't think anyone was feeling great about jogging to the south end zone at halftime down 26-0.
It was a good discussion however at the half and I'm sure it helped the boys understand that you can't show up to the field with no attitude and energy and expect the other team to lay down and give you the football game, the scoreboard made that very clear. There are two ways to respond at that point, either you hang your head and continue to get beat even worse or you leave the first half behind and go out and fight to win the second half.
I was very happy to see our group never give up, choosing the second option and battling through the second half. I realize down by more than 18 points it helped that we were able to receive the second half kick when it should have been West Bend's ball and again after we scored our first touchdown, we were able to receive again. None the less, we were able to find offensive contributions from some new faces which is always exciting to see kids finally "get it" and put together two nice touchdown drives with a third underway when what happens to all losing teams happened to us...we ran out of time.
The game ended a respectable 26-13, the defense also played great in the second half holding the Spartans scoreless, forcing and recovering three fumbles. All this against the same running back that scored a couple times in the first half.
It was a gutsy performance by a great bunch of kids, I was happy to see the team respond like that and I look forward to good week of practice leading up to a big game against Oshkosh West in Oshkosh this Saturday. It will be our first road game and we will be in our white game jerseys arriving at the same time as usual 12:30pm.

Coach Connors