Champions: Troy takes home three Super Bowls trophies in Ozark
Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, October 30, 2018
Troy was well-represented in this year’s Wiregrass Youth Football Association Super Bowls in Ozark over the weekend. The Troy 12U, 10U and 8U teams made the trek to Ozark and all three walked away champions.
The 8U team knocked off rival Brundidge 18-6 to claim their championship.
“It was great watching those kids,” said head coach Donovan Martin. “It was awesome.”
The 8U consisted of 15 players that were largely new to the game of football. For Martin, it was a blessing to be able to teach young players the game of football.
“It was just a blessing to be able to teach them the basics and fundamentals of football,” Martin said. “It was just an awesome year.”
The 8U team picked up the game quickly this season and Martin believes it was because his players welcomed his teachings.
“Every last one of them were coachable,” Martin said. “We started the season and they listened to everything the coaches had to say. They took off from the beginning.”
The 8U team lost their first game of the season in double overtime, but rallied to win their remaining four games.
Martin was joined by fellow coaches Shane Griffin, Kasey Goolsby and Kenny Hughes. The players include JaTyrian Harrison, Gregory Bradford, Amarlon Greenwood, Carter Goolsby, Taeson Foster, Khyran Martin, Keivion Walker, Demetrius Fulton, Marcus Walker, Jacorey Knox, Christian McBride, Koren Gailes, Taylor Hughes, SaVeyoun Scott and JaMarien McSwain.
The 10U team defeated Ozark 12-7 to finish off their Super Bowl run undefeated.
“It was awesome,” said head coach Shane Griffin. “We went through the season undefeated, so to cap it off with a Super Bowl was awesome.”
Like many Super Bowl champions, the 10U team got a big contribution from their defense.
“Defense was what we really focused on this year,” Griffin said. “That was really the key. We put up some points on offense, but the key is always defense.”
Griffin has been coaching football now for 13 seasons. This year’s Super Bowl was his second.
“Last year we went there and lost by one point,” Griffin said. “To come back this year and cap it off with a win was just awesome.”
Along with Griffin, the 10U were coached by Donovan Martin, Scott Frakes and Dustin Routzong. The Termite players include Payton Bean, Jamareon Burney, Jyderian Burney, Tyquarius Cunningham, Joshua Daniel, Brain Frakes, Tristan Hobdy, Tyler Hobdy, Hughes Oakes, Zikhyriean Reynolds, Landon Routzong, Elijah Wingard, Jamaal Wright and Tra mane Wright.
The Troy 12U team finished off a 5-1 season with a 33-13 win over Ozark.
“It’s a big accomplishment,” said head coach Robert Lee. “Last year we were 1-5. To come into this season and turn things around and see the growth is truly a blessing.”
During last season, Troy’s team consisted of just 12 players. This year that number bloomed to 21. Along with an increase in players, Troy found success because of they learned what it takes to become a winner.
“Last year we had to play iron man football,” Lee said. “It was a combination of having more players and an understanding of how to be winning players.”
Like the 10U team, the 12U team’s strength came on the defensive side of the ball, but they were also able to run.
“Our strength was definitely our defense and running the ball,” Lee said. “We were really able to pile up the yards on the ground. We had several backs that were really great at running the ball.”
Along with Lee, the 12U team was coached by Michelle Mitchell, Jake Rodgers and Derrick Patterson. The players include Kameron Johnson, Dertavious Lee, KaNeil Lewis, Sawyer Keck, Britt Albritton, Jordan McBryde, Meldrick Rodgers, Ahmad Rogers, Jaquavin Grimes, Antonio Patterson, Benjamin Patterson, Kamron Boykin, Isaiah Mitchell, Kacey Morgan, Jack Glenn, Javier Ormeno, Brayden Arnett, Koby Richardson, Tamaurii Brantley, Brandon Holston and JJ Rodgers.