Sean just finished his first season of tackle football. We decided when school let out in June that he would play for the West Catholic Warriors. We knew one of the coaches that coached Evan's age and he sent on our name to the head coach for 8th grade. Sean had a full summer of football camps, clinics, and practices. It was a big adjustment for him to get used to having practices 5 days a week and a game on the weekend, but he managed it really well with school and homework! He ended up playing second string on the defensive line as defensive tackle or nose guard. He got playing time in every game but one and improved a lot by the time the season ended.
They ended their season in a 3-way tie for 1st place, but fell short based on goal differential. They didn't get to play at Ford Field for the Prep Bowl, but ended up getting an opportunity to play at the Big House under the lights instead and it was an amazing experience!
Other games this season were in Ann Arbor, Farmington, Utica, and other cities. I was the team photographer and was responsible for pictures at all the games, which became quite the task. The team moms surprised me with a beautiful flower arrangement and some cash at the banquet as a thank you.
What I really liked about the program was that it was more than football. The boys had a few team masses they went to together. They did a jersey ceremony where the dads got to present their jersey at the beginning of the season. They had a rose ceremony for the moms in October and the boys had to write letters to mom and read them. They had a really nice banquet this week at a banquet hall. Just all the extra things that made this such a great experience for our family!
I wish we had joined sooner, but Evan hopes to play next fall instead of doing fall rec baseball. He knows quite a few boys on the team he'd be on. Sean plans to play freshmen football at Canton High School next fall and we hope he continues to grow, learn, and stay safe!
