The mighty Mites

Friday, Nov. 20, 2009

On Nov. 8, the fall 2009 Southern Maryland Youth Flag Football League's Mites Division Super Bowl went to the Eagles.

This victorious season was truly a heartwarming story of triumph. It all began when Corwin Holland decided that he would like to sign his son up for the Mites Division. When Corwin went to sign up, however, the commissioner regretfully informed him that unless the league could come up with one more coach, Corwin's son would be waitlisted along with nine other children, and they might not play in the fall season. It also meant that only four teams would play against one another.

Unless, of course, Corwin had the free time to mentor 10 5- and 6-year-olds and be their coach.

This was a difficult decision for Corwin. He had many demands on his time with work, commuting to Washington, D.C., daily and family life that would really make his schedule tight. Nevertheless, Corwin answered the commissioner with a resounding yes, and 10 spectacular children who otherwise might not have played went on to play for the Mites Division Eagles. The league was able to expand to six teams.

The season started off a bit slow with two back-to-back losses, but then the Eagles went on a winning rampage with eight straight wins over an eight-week season.

They ended their regular season in third place, but luckily drew a seed in the playoffs, which meant to get to the Mites Super Bowl they would have to win two playoff games and the Super Bowl game in one day.

The day of the Super Bowl started out chilly. As the day wore on, the sun beat down mercilessly on the field and into the stands. There wasn't a single cloud in the sky. Parents' voices were hoarse as they rooted on their little ones, high-fiving in the stands and congratulating one another when their sons made key plays or touchdowns. The Eagles won their first two games of the day and in disbelief realized they had made it to the Super Bowl and they would face the Panthers.

In the Super Bowl, the Eagles struggled in the first half. They were down by a touchdown. The heat and exhaustion were getting to everyone. At halftime, Coach Holland spoke to the children. He let them know they had come very far and that this was their last effort of the season. He encouraged them to get out there and play their very best, for this was their last game.

At the beginning of the second half, they started out on defense. They made key tackles preventing the opposition from scoring. Then, the Eagles ran off two touchdowns that were called back. Not beaten, they were able to muster up their last shred of energy and pull out two game-ending touchdowns. The game's final scoreboard showed 18-13 Eagles. With that, the Eagles, the team that might not have been, had won the Mites Super Bowl.

The Eagles played their games valiantly and with enthusiasm — even when they were tired, thirsty, hurt or down a touchdown. They are 10 talented children — Jordan Adams, Justin Comer, Khalil Green, Aaron Hampton, Rico Harley, Corwin Holland II, Rasheed Nelson, Khalon Parker, Makhi Scott and Marcus Void — who will never forget this experience.

Congratulations to the Southern Maryland Youth Flag Football League Mites Division Eagles.

Quesha Holland, White Plains