Seniors from the CCHS varsity football team surprised the FYFL Fallon 10U team with a scrimmage during the youth team’s final practice on Thursday, Oct. 9.
The boys of the 10-and-under football team were informed that they would scrimmage against a team who was “out of their league” but were not given any additional details. Roughly ten minutes into the 10U practice, uniformed players from the CCHS varsity team stepped onto Mike Llamas Memorial Field to a few nervous youth players, but mostly laughter and an excited uproar from the team. The field was alive with cheers and friendly jeers during the short practice game.
When asked how he felt to see the CCHS players take the field, Stetson Starr, No. 40, running back for the 10U team, said he was “nervous and scared. But it was really fun. We got to play varsity and they’re really big. Some of them are going to college.”
Barry Mitchell, No. 10, CCHS varsity tight end, said, “We all played in fifth grade and it was cool to give them something to remember.”
According to Loni Faught, organizer of the event, “The mission was twofold: One, to inspire the younger generation to keep working and keep fighting to achieve their football dreams. Second, for the varsity boys to see how far they’ve come and give a nod to their childhood football days on the same field in the same program.”
“We all did this at one point,” Kacin Rogne, No. 7, CCHS varsity middle linebacker, said. “About six or seven of us all played together in fifth grade. It makes you realize how fast time goes by.”
The Fallon Youth Football League (FYFL) Greenwave Pop Warner is an athletics program that not only gets young players involved in the sport, but also brings them into a culture of sportsmanship, teamwork, and dedication. Many of the CCHS varsity team were involved in the same program as children. Today that legacy continues with new generations and a supportive community.
Carson Melendy, No. 2, CCHS varsity running back, commented, “It was fun to come back and reminisce. We were playing on the same field when we were ten.”
During a team huddle after the game, Coach TJ Harnar could be heard saying, “You younger boys … it was huge for them to come down and do this for you. Take what you get out of this. For you older boys … you’ve played since you were this young. Go fight for something. It means something.”
With the CCHS varsity team currently undefeated and racking up unprecedented numbers this season, the event means something not just for them, but for the entire Greenwave community. Events like this serve to show how values learned in good sportsmanship can bring people together and remind those involved of how far they have come and how much they have grown.
“I just love to see the younger program,” said Matthew Bird, No. 5, CCHS varsity quarterback. “How developed they are and I can’t wait to see them when they finally reach high school and how good they’re going to be.”
After the scrimmage, both teams posed for photos, and the CCHS players signed jerseys for the 10U team in an energetic and uplifting scene that received an emotional response from parents and spectators.
“There was just so much love, excitement, and joy on the field,” said Becky Rossback, 10U mom.
“I was very scared, but excited to play with them and play football,” said Denton Faught, No. 11, FYFL 10U quarterback. “They’re really good and I want to be like them someday.”
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