Belgreen peewees win division, stay undefeated
Undefeated seasons are a rare, victorious testament to a football team’s dedication and teamwork. After three years in existence, the Belgreen Youth Football League’s peewee football team has accomplished that achievement.
According to league president Tommy Etherington, the team won their division championship against Cherokee 36-12, making their regular season undefeated.
“These kids are tough. We’ve been through a lot to get to this point,” league vice president Dale Fredrick said.
With no actual football field to practice or play games on, the league has bounced around for the past three years, but Etherington said they have learned to adapt and overcome. He said this year they have been playing their games at Vina, but in the past they have used Russellville’s field.
Their last practice Nov. 2 was on Belgreen’s baseball field, but Fredrick said before that, they had been practicing behind the school.
“There are no lights back there, so we were using vehicles, generators and whatever we could to make sure they had light to practice by,” Fredrick said.
That’s not the only struggle the youth team has faced. Frederick said all equipment has been graciously donated, but with 14 players this year, it has been no easy feat finding enough to go around.
Head coach Jason Vandiver said that the team works well together, even in the midst of all these obstacles.
“A lot of work went into getting them this far. It didn’t happen overnight,” he said.
When asked what their favorite part of playing football is, the boys’ unanimous answer was “winning.” They all agreed that out of the different sports they play, football is by far the one they each excel at.
Fredrick said he wants the community to see how talented these young players because they need the community support.
The league also has cheerleaders for each team that support them at their games. Amanda Mouser coaches cheer, 20 girls in all.
PHOTO BY LAUREN WESTER / Belgreen’s peewee cheerleaders attended all 11 games of the football season under the coaching of Amanda Mouser.
