Driving winds, bitter cold and the occasional onslaught of rain framed the defensive struggle between Team East and Team West in the Grade 8 match-up at Millennium Park. The weather didn’t stop for football, and football didn’t stop for the weather with Team East emerging as the winners of a tight 12-6 game.
Team West takes one last photo together after falling to Team East in the grade eight match.
The first quarter came and went without a score. It was running back Antonio Corsi that broke the scoreless game, giving Team East a 6-0 with 7:34 left in the first half. It took a while before Team West answered back. Their only score came at 3:01 in the third when Tyler Putzu snared the ball in mid-air while in the end zone.
With overtime looming, Team East decided that they had enough of the cold and rain. Running back Keegan Bertrand made sure they would all go home early after running into the end zone to give the East a 12-6 lead. East sealed the win with an interception from defensive back Cameron Gearey on West’s 45-yard line with a minute left in the game.
Team East celebrates their narrow victory with a team photo on Sunday, May 7.
“It was a great game. It was competitive. That was the one thing I was really happy with,” Ron Raymond, the head coach of Team East, said. “We had competitiveness, balance, both teams played well and there were no blowouts and all that stuff. I was really happy with the competitiveness.”
Raymond added that, “I was impressed with the team that came from the grade sevens and the sportsmanship we showed by putting in some more players in their roster. Life lessons were learned today and this was a great experience.”
The head coach of Team East, Ron Raymond (left), and the head coach of Team West, Chris Kent (right), at the end of the game on Sunday, May 7.
It was smiles all around for all the coaches. Chris Kent, the head coach for Team West, was enthusiastic about his team’s effort. “I thought it was a very exciting game. I thought for a group of 21 kids to come in here against a group of 33, I thought we held our own,” he said.
“I have nothing but respect for West,” he added. “This is how all-star games should be. Fun, very close, and everybody getting to showcase their talents. So, it was perfect to me.”
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