Sep 10, '06: Deerfield 22 - Winnetka 0. BLACK WARRIORS GET DOWN & DIRTY IN SEASON OPENER! By Andrea B It was perfect football weather. Windy, rainy, cloudy and cold.But that didn't stop the Deerfield Young Warrior's Black team from playing with authority on the first Sunday of the season. They were relentless, resilient, and most of all, remarkable. Within the first two minutes of the game, the Warriors drove the ball downfield for a touchdown. First, it was rookie Jake S with a couple of yards off the opening kick-off. Then, rookie fullback Pavle C for a few more yards. Finally, here comes running back Sam M for a fast and furious 35-yard run into the end zone! Combine that with the extra point by QB Matt K and we've got a 7-0 ball game! But it gets better. Now Winnetka has the ball. And the Warrior defense is pumped. Coaches B, B and P have been preaching defensive toughness to this team since practices began in early August. And boy did it pay off. Winnetka could not make any progress. The defense was too strong. At one point, Coach Bess shouted ''Did you see that swarm tackling? We had five red guys on that guy! Way to go!'' And so it was. The whole game. For four, long, wet, muddy quarters. And it was awesome! As parent Tom S put it, ''If they can play in this weather, they can play in any weather!'' Other key moments in the game included two fumble recoveries by returning outside linebacker Nick B, a 25-yard TD run in the 3rd quarter by veteran wide receiver Jack P, another big touchdown run by Sam M, and a safety in the 4th quarter adding up to a whopping 22-0 victory over Winnetka. In fact, Warrior defense was so powerful, Winnetka never made a first down, and actually ended up with negative yardage at the end of the game. ''So far, so good!'', said a happy Coach B after the game. Meanwhile, mud-packed players and soaked fans were cheering big time for this young, determined team. They were on the board. With a big win. A huge win. A win that only happens when 22 boys play as one. And it really doesn't matter who makes all the great tackles. Or who runs the ball. Or who recovers the fumbles. Because apparently there are a lot of great playmakers here. And I can tell you right now, this team is going to play hard every week. They've got talent. And toughness. And best of all, they've got game. The Black Warriors will be back in action on Sunday, September 17th when they take on Wilmette. Let's hope for more great football weather. Rain or shine. Warriors fight on. Back Index Page 1: Kevin & Danny On Way To Game. Kevin is clearly not too nervous. 2: Pregame Instructions 3: Coin Toss 4: Kickoff 5: Kickoff 6: Offense 7: Offense 8: Sam's Touch Down 9: Sideline Back Index Page 10: 11: Sam 12: 13: 14: 15: Kevin 16: Defense 17: Defense 18: Defense Back Index Page 19: Defense 20: Offense 21: Tackle 22: Charlie 23: Defense 24: Tackle 25: 2nd Down 26: Tackle 27: Handoff Back Index Page 28: Run 29: Happy To Be Muddy 30: More Mud 31: Q B Sack 32: Running Back 33: Pulling Guard 34: Hand Off 35: Its A Reverse 36: Who's Got The Ball Back Index Page 37: Game's Over 38: Post Game 39: Kevin 40: 41: 42: Jake 43: Charlie & Jake 44: Sam, Tony & Grampa 45: Kevin & Lee Back Index Page 46: Kevin & Charlie 47: Team Picture