Gardner Field was host to maybe one of its most memorable football game on Sunday, October 13th when the undefeated Wakefield Youth Rec 5th and 6th grade team took on their equally unbowed opponents from Wisner in the championship game of the Jr. NFL (Nebraska Football League).
Through 4 quarters of play the defense of both teams was on display as multiple break aways, fumbles, and turnovers on both sides resulted in a game that was still locked at 0-0 at the end of regulation.
“As the head coach and offensive coordinator the game was extremely frustrating because nothing offensively was working for us.” said Coach John Thomas. “Wisner has a very good team and it was clear that both teams deserved to be in the championship.”
The rules for the Jr. NFL concerning overtime in the championship game is each team gets a possession on the 10 yard line with a coin flip deciding who goes first. The extra point is determined based on 2 or 1 point attempts, with 2 being further from the end zone.
Wisner went first and promptly scored on their first attempt, but Wakefield’s defense came through and the 2 point conversion attempt was stalled.
“Our defense all year has been very strong and it was no different on Sunday. They came up with big stops and turnovers time after time during the game just to give us a chance in overtime” said Coach Thomas. “They also came up big in OT by stopping them on their 2 point conversion.”
With the Championship on the line Wakefield turned to Saul Hansen, who promptly found a gap in Wisner’s defense and went through it tying the game at 6-6.
“I challenged the boys in the huddle in overtime down 6 to give us one last series of good snaps, good blocking and hard running and they executed it to perfection” said Thomas.
Only needing 1 point to win Wakefield turned to Hansen again who ran in the game winning extra point, clinching both the incredibly close game as well as the league championship.
“I can’t express how proud I am of all the boys and how they never gave up. They worked hard all year in both practices and games so it was amazing to see all their hard work pay off in the end” said Coach Thomas.
More pictures can be found on page 10 of this Republican.