I know you're wondering what football has to do with real estate. Well, the sports programs that are offered in an area are a great asset to the community. The character-building that team sports provide for our children help our community and keep our kids busy and focused on positive activities.
This weekend the Anne Arundel County Youth Football organization went above and beyond in providing a fantastic opportunity for our young football players. They organized the AA County Championships at the Naval Academy and boy was I impressed! Everything was top-notch from the instant replays on the two jumbo screens, to the nice program, photos of the kids and coaches, large trophies, etc.
This is from the Capital Newspaper:
County's youth football teams shine in shot on big screen By SEAN BURNS and BILL WAGNER, Staff Writers Published November 25, 2007 For most football players, the first time they have a chance to see themselves in instant replay on a jumbo video screen in a Division I stadium marks the first time they see action in a college game. Yesterday afternoon at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, 12 teams from the Anne Arundel Youth Football Association got a little preview of what that is like, playing with the jumbotron reflecting their every move yesterday's county finals.
"We had a lot of people working on making that happen," said AAYFA President Rick Peacock, who was one of several league representatives that brokered a corporate sponsorship deal with Liberty Mutual to help cover the cost (about $17,000) of operating the mammoth screens. "It's really a credit to the league's executive board for making it happen. There was a ton of stuff going on behind the scenes to make it work, but the kids are having fun, and that's what this day is all about."
On the field the Gambrills-Odenton Recreation Council captured all three of the championships it was in, marking the third straight year the Wildcats were the winningest program. GORC took home championships in the 80-, 100- and 110-pound divisions, topping Pasadena in the 80- and 110- games and besting Cheaspeake Bay in the 100-pound final.
Pasadena, which had a league-high four teams make the finals, took home two championships. The Chargers topped Crofton in the 90-pound finals and the Rebels in the unlimited game. Edgewater took home the day's other final, besting Crofton in overtime in the 125-pound game.
The talk around the field, however, was about the new amenities, from the big screens to the private security, even a pavilion set up in the concourse by Liberty Mutual's "Responsible Sports" program where the trophies were presented.
"I don't remember ever seeing anything like this," Pasadena 110-pound coach Marlo Helm said of the live video screens. "This is just so exciting for the kids, something they're never going to forget."
The "Responsible Sports" tent housed a quarterback competition game and an area for finals participants to take post-game photos that were posted online for free download. The theme, a cooperative venture between Liberty Mutual and USA Football, is designed to promote sportsmanship and responsible coaching among players, coaches and parents.
"It's really what youth sports are all about," Peacock said. "It ties right in with what Anne Arundel County sets as its guidelines for its youth programs, so it's a perfect partner for this event."
The winners of the six county finals all move on in the post-season for the first time, as all will be playing in the Maryland State Youth Championship tournament, starting next Saturday at sites around the state.
For scheduling and matchup information, visit: www.marylandyouthfootball championship.com.
This is a photo of our coaches and David Jr.
Here is what they had to say about our 100 pound team; Dave is the Offensive Coordinator:
100-POUND FINAL
Behind a pair of touchdown runs from tailback Greyson Torain and a stifling defensive performance, GORC captured its second championship of the day with a 13-0 win over Chesapeake Bay.
"This is just a great feeling," said Wildcats coach Brian Taylor, whose team has an 11-0 record going into the state playoffs next weekend. "We've been working hard and concentrating on our fundamentals, and this is what happens when you do that successfully."
Torain, who led the Wildcats in rushing all season, opened the scoring midway through the second quarter. On GORC's first drive into the Chesapeake Bay red zone, Torain broke through and weaved through the secondary for a 13-yard touchdown with 6:01 remaining in the half. Quarterback Anthony Messenger added the conversion run to hand GORC the 7-0 lead.
After trading possessions for the remainder of the first half, the Wildcats held the Piranhas to a 4-and-out to start the third quarter, taking over with a 1st-and-10 near midfield. GORC converted a 4th down at the Chesapeake Bay 42 by an inch and two plays later, Torain found room around left end and got down to the eight yard line.
A pair of runs by fullback Chris DiPretoro got GORC down to the 1-yard-line, where Torain hit pay dirt again, scoring with three seconds remaining in the third quarter to make it 13-0.
Chesapeake Bay, which finishes at 10-1 on the season, had some life in the 4th quarter when Zachary Smith forced a fumble and Stone Boone recovered on their own 35-yard-line. However, the GORC defense again stood tall, forcing a turnover on downs.
The shutout is the 10th in 11 games for the Wildcats, who allowed just six points defensively all season.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE BOYS THAT HAD SUCH A GREAT OPPORTUNITY!
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