Green Wave pee wee ends season

By Angie Ledbetter

The 2007 North Delta Pee Wee football season came to an end on Tuesday night, October 9, 2007 at home when the little Green Wave hosted Desoto, Arkansas for their final game of the 2007 season.

The  sixth grade players and cheerleaders were honored before the game started.

They may not have all been wins, but there were some fired up little boys playing some physical football every Tuesday night.

The crowd was big every Tuesday night when the Green Wave Pee Wee team hit the field to showcase their talents to their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. There was never a lack of support from the fans.

A state championship is the goal for every one who played on the team. They never doubted they could win any game.

Even though they did not have the best season this year, one would have never known it by watching the boys play every week. Practice after practice, each day the players got more fired up.

Coach David Hardy was the head coach for the Pee Wee team of 31. Each one of them expressed just how much that they enjoyed playing for Coach Hardy.

“We try to get a little better and learn from the previous games what we had pulled in,” Hardy said. “At that age, they are still eager to learn. They have really bought into the program, the play and the team work. They have been learning from their mistakes.

“I really can’t complain about many attitudes at all,” Hardy added. “I really think that it is going to be something that pays off down the road. I would say that our defense is ahead of our offense, but our offense is catching up a little bit.”

While coaching, Hardy has tried to instill some life lessons along with fundamental football practices.

“I’ve tried to teach them to be supportive of each other,” he said. “I told them not to criticize someone for their mistakes because more than likely, yours is coming up real soon. And they have listened to me.”

Tyler Beard said it was kind of hard, but they kept on fighting.

“I didn’t take losing really good,” he said. “I’ll live with it. It’s not about winning or losing, it’s about how we play”

Bradley Booth said this is just getting them ready for the junior high.

To Sam Copeland it was a good season.

“I would tell the younger players to keep working hard and get ready for next year,” Copeland said. “Playing with my older brother will be pretty fun, I guess. He tells me to keep blocking and chop my feet.”

Avery Darby said, “Coach Hardy did a really good job for Pee Wee football coach. I learned a lot this year.”

“I learned just about everything since I have never played football with full pads on in my life,” Harley Ashby said.

It took courage to keep playing and win, according to Ryan Bridges.

Ryne Hitchcock said it was a real good experience.

Spencer Rushing predicts they will be better next year and have a stronger team.

Dalton Robison is ready for next year but admits he is scared, too.

The season was too short, according to Ridge Simmerman and HUnter Baker agreed.

Baker West definitely wants to play next year.