This past week, the youth football program came to an end with their final games “under the lights” on Lyle Anderson Field. Chris Goettl, who runs the flag football program, does a terrific job of organizing the event. Nearly 40 kids participated in the program this year as Goettl and his fellow coaches created four very evenly matched teams.
For the first time, I was able to watch my son Adam compete in a football game. While I have coached Adam in youth baseball and basketball, there is something about football that moves my soul. It was also pretty cool to see him play on the same field that I played on as a Cook County Viking, as well as his grandpa (a long
time ago).
I showed up just in time to watch Adam throw an…interception! I guess we will have to review the tape when we get home so he can read those defensive coverages better (yes, we do have the game on video).
What I like most about flag football is how pure the game is. I love to see children out playing around, making up plays with their coaches, and then improvising and just playing the game. I saw some long pass plays as I went back and forth between the two games that were going on at once. I first witnessed a nice touchdown pass by Connor Nelson. I then turned around to see Bradley Wilson throw a long bomb to teammate, Riley Somnis, in the end zone.
Another Cook County tradition—flag football on Lyle Anderson Field Left: At the recent wrap-up flag football game, the “Blue” team strategizes in the huddle.
At the end of the first game, Ethan Sporn’s long twisting touchdown run completed a come-from-behind victory over my son’s team. Adam will have to work on his defensive pursue angles. All kidding aside, I really enjoyed watching all of the players. It is fun to see how much more competitive the kids get when the game is in the final minutes.
As a coach, parent, and community member, I am really thankful to the parents who took the time out of their busy schedules to coach. Mike Prom and Paul Sporn coached a team. Jeremy Somnis coached a team. Rick Crawford coached a team and Chris Goettl coached a team. I was really impressed with the positive and encouraging interactions that the coaches had with their players.
Below: Bradley Wilson gets the snap while his teammates go out for a pass.
Every Monday after flag football was over, Adam would come home beaming. He enjoyed every moment of his flag football experience. I give credit to the volunteer coaches who managed to teach the game of football in an exciting and positive way. I am thankful that we have these selfless men in our community to serve our children.
Participating this year in the flag football program were third graders Zach Stirewart, Sam Sietsema, Mason Liljestrand, Alyssa Spry, Adam Dorr, Ryan Cox, Pete Sutton, Abbie Crawford, Tate Crawford, Chase Gwash, Trent Spry, and Keenan Hingos. Fourth graders were Luke Johnson, Cameron Roy, Will Ramberg, Tristen Bockovich, Lyndon Blomberg, Skyler Wilson, Seth Kemp, Cole Manahan, Andrew Miller, Leif Anderson, Josh Prom, Ethan Sporn, Westin Monson, Levi Sheils, Conner Somnis, Dillon Sjogren, Jayden Grivette, and Ben Trepanier. Fifth graders were Caleb Phillips, Bradley Wilson, Riley Somnis, Ezra Lunde, Mikey Burton, Chance Finke, Noah Works, David Blackburn, Connor Franks, and Colton Furlong.
Mitch Dorr, a Cook County High
School Class of 1993 graduate,
is now a social studies teacher
and coach at his former alma
mater. Mitch coaches Vikings
football and boys’ basketball.
Coach Dorr’s comments do not
necessarily reflect the opinion of
the ISD 166 school board or
administration.
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