The CCPIF A, B and C teams travelled to Roane County on Saturday for their first real taste of football action of the season where they were no longer taking it easy on their buddies in practice but mashing heads against strangers. The day was hot, but hotter on the field. Around the grid stood a city of canopies, tail gates were dropped and the food spread. It was the day when nerve met possibilities and grit met fight or flight. The boys put their game faces on and took the field. There were no referees, just one pride against the next, and it gave the coaches a chance to see what each player was made of and who would fill the position when regular season started.
Players from A team and B team took the field first against Ritchie County’s finest ball players. From where I stood, once the early first hit jitters were gone, both A and B teams had a strong defense and offense settled into a groove and began their spin cycle. Players from C team were also on the field later, and there are no words I can come up with to describe the intensity of the moment when the ball was snapped. They played like football is supposed to be played – all out and with the idea that they had to prove themselves to their coach and to their fans. On this field and on that day, Clay, Ritchie, Williamstown, and Roane teams struggled against each other to build their skills and to test their own determination. There were no winners or losers that day, just backyard football at its best. The coaches did an outstanding job with the players, and it showed in their intensity. CCPIF league is where football begins in the heart of a young player and where effort pays off and a future begins. Get behind the league and support the young athletes in this county.