Super Bowl Bound!

After a slow start to the season, the Whitesboro 5th grade football team has advanced to the Super  Bowl.

“It’s been an unbelievable year,” coach Derek Wolf said. “We started off 1-2 and then hit a 7-game win streak. We’ve been dominating.”

Not only did the season begin with three kids in casts due to broken arms, the team also battled a round of illness.

After a couple of games, Wolf decided to find a way to help build chemistry among his team. He hosted a game film night at his house with dinner and an opportunity for the team to review their plays on the big screen.

“After the third game, it just clicked,” Wolf said.

The team played Ponder early in the year when they were short players due to sickness. They lost that game 30-6.

“It was a loss, but we were the only team who scored against them, and the only team to earn positive yards,” Wolf said.

The 5th graders are looking forward to facing this opponent again at the Super Bowl on Saturday.

This Bearcats team began their football career in the 2nd grade with 13 kids. They won the Super Bowl that year and drew a lot of interest from other kids.

In 3rd grade, the team had 19 kids. They lost the Super Bowl that year, but the team’s overall success caused even more kids to join.

In 4th grade, they had 23 players, and this year they have 25.

“This team has come a long way,” Wolf said. “It’s exciting to see that we’re growing every year.”

In addition to building a strong team, Wolf is excited to see the biggest cheer squad yet.

“This group of kids is big. There are more than 150 students in the 5th grade this year. We’re fortunate to have a very big supportive fan base. Students come support us, but so do principals and teachers.This is a very good, exciting year.”

Wolf, who oversees the entire league for 2nd-5th graders, has been coaching for 16 years. 

“This is one of the most fun years I’ve had,” he said.

For Wolf, this experience for the kids is more than just about football.

“I see the mamas connecting and becoming close. We practice three times a week. This league helps to form big groups of close-knit people,” Wolf said.

The team will face Ponder again this Saturday at 4 p.m. in Valley View.

Anyone who is available is encouraged to come support the team.