REDEMPTION, SWEET REDEMPTION
Back in week 2 of the SMYFFL regular season, the Packers squared off against the Broncos in what turned out to be one of the most exciting games of the season. The back and forth, seesaw-like battle ended with the Packers losing 30-24 in OT. As fate would have it, the young Packers� first round win over the Chiefs sent them into the AFC Championship game to face; you guessed it, the Broncos. The Broncos easily handled the fading Dolphins in their 2nd round game to set up the rematch with the Packers.
Coach Chris did everything he could to keep the kids calm and focused. He told them to stay with what they know. Not to go out and try and do too much, just let their practice and hard work shine. However, he did offer one piece of motivation to the kids. �I told them it was just another game, to follow the plays like normal and everything would take care of itself. But I also told them the Broncos beat us once this season, and that they weren�t scared of us at all, that they were already thinking about playing the Cowboys in the Super Bowl�, said Coach Chris. �That really lit a fire in their eyes! I don�t think they like to feel disrespected�, he added.
The game took on a fast and furious tone. The Packers opened with a few big plays and took an early lead. The game had a similar tone of the first game only this time it was the Packers leading the entire game and the Broncos trying desperately to keep up. This time however, the Packers were relentless. They never let up and the defense made enough plays to keep the Broncos from scoring every possession.
Alex �Zander Bomber� Hodge came in despite a severely injured thumb and completed a pass and ran for a TD. �That kid is truly amazing�, said Coach Chris. �The heart he showed out there this morning was breathtaking.� Curtis �Rocket� Dockett continued putting up amazing stats as he completed 3 passes, caught 3 passes, had 3 long runs and was involved directly in 4 TD�s. �Curtis is the human highlight film from this team�, said Coach Craig. Jalen �the Jet� Barnes stepped up HUGE as he completed 5 passes including 1 TD. He also caught a TD and had an interception. �I think Jalen was nervous his brother might make the Rookie Super Bowl so he wanted to make sure he made it too�, said Coach Kelly!!! Vincent �flagman� Brunson does what he always does, GET FLAGS. Nathan �sticky fingers� Corsey stepped up his defensive play grabbing 5 flags, a pass deflection and an interception. Jonathan �sweet feet� Campbell showed the crowd his sweet moves as he darted downfield for a long TD run. Evan �The Enforcer� Aragon stepped up and took over the role of rushing. �He put pressure on the QB all day and that�s what helped our defense be so dominant�, said Coach Craig. James �the bull� Brown and Aaron �the bus� Garcia locked down the center position for the Packers all day.
One of the more heartwarming stories had to be about Chance �the Dominator� Bikowski. Early on in the game, he let a Bronco receiver get behind him for an easy TD. He got very emotional as his dad and Coach, Craig, tried to tell him what he did wrong. �I had to take him out of the game until he could regain his composure. But he knew once he did, he would come back hungry and determined�, said Coach Craig. Later in the game, Chance was covering a receiver when he stepped in front for what looked like a sure interception. But the ball hit Chance in the face and he dropped it. Although it was a good play, the coaching staff made sure Chance knew how important it was to capitalize anytime they could and that he needed to make those easy catches. Later, on the sideline, Chance was complaining that he wanted to play some offense. Coach Craig told him they couldn�t put him out there on offense because he hadn�t shown them he could make a catch. �I told him, if you dropped a TD pass like you did that interception earlier, we could lose the game. We can�t take that chance�, said Coach Craig. Later in the second half, the Broncos were driving and had a chance to get the score within one TD. As the Bronco�s QB dropped back, he looked into the end zone and made a throw towards on of his receivers. Chance stepped up and made the interception in the end zone and the Packers scored on the very next play to all but seal the victory. �I can�t tell you how proud we were to see Chance step up and make that play. You couldn�t have written a better script�, said Coach Chris.
The Packers went on to dominate the Broncos 38-18. They have done it. They have made their way from learning the fundamentals of catching, all the way to the Semi-Pro Super Bowl. The coaches and parents looked at each other in amazement as their kids have just achieved something they won�t soon forget. The kids however, they looked like it was nothing, like they expected to be there. It is this quiet confidence that has carried them through the season, made them AFC Champions and got them a showdown with a Cowboy, in the biggest arena possible, the Super Bowl.