Stafford Falcons finished 2nd but can hold their heads high

This past Friday was Championship day for my nephews Division II Jr. Midget football team the Stafford Falcons in the 2013 American Youth Football (AYF) National Championship in Orlando Florida.

After beating the Panama Florida team on Monday and then on Wednesday a recovered fumble in the end-zone for a touchdown with 11.7 seconds on the clock, pushed the Falcons to beat the Howell New Jersey team, earning the Falcons the chance to play the also unbeaten Texas team in the Championship.

The Texas team made the trip to play football, but maybe not a fair one. After just five minutes of play Texas had a touchdown and racked up several flags with there kickoff pushed back to the 10 yard line and several Falcon players sidelined to pull themselves together.

Turnovers did not help the Falcons with one touchdown after another for the Texas team. The score was 25-0 with 1.18 seconds left before half-time. I had sat down from taking photo's and the game was stopped, a player was down. I got up and looked to see you it was, I could not tell, so I started looking for my nephew. I did not see him, then I noticed it was him laying on the field. It was due to a tag team him from two offensive players. The force knocked his helmet off and the other players helmet to his back.

When I saw the rescue squad coming I knew it could be bad and our game was over as well as the teams. So I grabbed his gear a followed the squad to the ER. He was evaluated and released with no injuries and just a little soar. When we called and checked on the game, it was also over but the team held Texas to only 6 more points the second half and only lost 31-0 The Falcons did not give up and fought hard.

I enjoyed the chance to spend the week watching the Falcons play hard football and the teamwork each child performed as a team. Also to see a National football tournament take place with so many teams from all over the country with nine fields going at the same time.