Post by blackcrowheart on Dec 7, 2006 11:58:47 GMT -5
Mighty Mights football team has Native influence
Gerald Wofford 11/14/2006
www.nativetimes.com/index.asp?actionfiltered=displayarticle&artic\
le_id=8344
<http://www.nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=8\
344>
You know in the `good `ol days', it used to be that kids,
especially Indian kids like yours truly, who lived in a community center
would try to find the local neighborhood friend that had the only
football around. From that we would all come together and organize a
good football game. Even if a football was not available, like maybe the
air had gone out of it or a cousin from another Indian community had
borrowed it, we would become the innovators and make one-say perhaps of
a balled up group of crushed paper cups brought neatly together by old
duct tape, or if tape was not available, good old tennis shoe string
would always do the trick. We could run and pass with it, we just
couldn't kick field goals with it though, ah yes, long ago.
PHOTO: The terrible threesome of: (l to r) Jesse Barnett, Christian
Perez, and Caleb Bigpond helped the Glenpool Mighty Mites to a perfect
season. Other Indian athletes like Colton Kane and Bryce Williamson also
contributed to the team's success.
But as they say, "this is not your Father's football team,
today's game is still played with as much enthusiasm and spirit, but
just a little more organized and supported. Children today are playing
at a younger age, whereas in times past, Indian kids may not dawn the
pads and helmet until junior high, the youth today are wearing the full
armor at the ages of six and seven-and they are good at it too. The
Glenpool Mighty Mites boasts of five Native American kids that take
their football seriously.
Caleb Bigpond, as the name suggests, plays big at the Linebacker and the
Tight End positions. The big, little, Yuchi athlete tries to emulate his
favorite teams like the Dallas Cowboys and the Oklahoma Sooners. A quiet
player who leads by example, he is not shy to say that his favorite
thing about playing football is "hitting!"
Joined alongside Bigpond is Jesse Barnett, the 7-year old second grader
who plays Offensive Center and Defensive Tackle, agrees with his Yuchi
teammate about "hitting" being the greatest part of playing
Mighty Mite football. Barnett looks to the San Diego Chargers to draw
his playing inspiration.
Christian Perez attends school at Freedom elementary in Sapulpa, along
with his Mighty Mite teammates; he helps the team by playing the
Defensive Corner and Offensive Tackle positions. The field general, or
Quarterback, of the mighty mites is none other than Colton Kane. Bryce
Williamson is also a part of the Native American influence with the
Mighty Mites team.
Bigpond, Barnett, Perez, and Kane are Creek, while Williamson is Choctaw
and Cherokee. The team has enjoyed a successful season, going undefeated
with a perfect record of 8 wins. Coach Eric Williamson has had a lot to
be proud of in the Mighty Mite season and with five Indian boys helping
lead the way, elementary football in the Glenpool area looks bright
indeed.
Most important, the Mighty Mites don't have to look for an aired up
football, or a handy pair of tennis shoe string to get the game going.
Player Profiles
Caleb Bigpond #30
-6 yrs. old, 1st grade at Glenpool
-positions: TE, LB
favorite teams: OU, Dal. Cowboys
What he likes about football: hitting
Christian Perez #18
-7 yrs. old 2nd grade at Freedom Elem. in Sapulpa -positions: corner,
tackle
favorite team: Cin. Bengals
What he likes about football: hitting
Jesse Barnett #53
-7yrs. old 2nd grade at Glenpool
-positions: center, tackle
Favorite teams: OU/ San Diego Chargers
What he likes about football: hitting
Others: Colton Kane QB (Creek)
Bryce Williamson (Choctaw/Cher.) All have made big plays this season
Record: 8-0
Coach: Eric Williamson Glenpool White Mighty Mites
Gerald Wofford 11/14/2006
www.nativetimes.com/index.asp?actionfiltered=displayarticle&artic\
le_id=8344
<http://www.nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=8\
344>
You know in the `good `ol days', it used to be that kids,
especially Indian kids like yours truly, who lived in a community center
would try to find the local neighborhood friend that had the only
football around. From that we would all come together and organize a
good football game. Even if a football was not available, like maybe the
air had gone out of it or a cousin from another Indian community had
borrowed it, we would become the innovators and make one-say perhaps of
a balled up group of crushed paper cups brought neatly together by old
duct tape, or if tape was not available, good old tennis shoe string
would always do the trick. We could run and pass with it, we just
couldn't kick field goals with it though, ah yes, long ago.
PHOTO: The terrible threesome of: (l to r) Jesse Barnett, Christian
Perez, and Caleb Bigpond helped the Glenpool Mighty Mites to a perfect
season. Other Indian athletes like Colton Kane and Bryce Williamson also
contributed to the team's success.
But as they say, "this is not your Father's football team,
today's game is still played with as much enthusiasm and spirit, but
just a little more organized and supported. Children today are playing
at a younger age, whereas in times past, Indian kids may not dawn the
pads and helmet until junior high, the youth today are wearing the full
armor at the ages of six and seven-and they are good at it too. The
Glenpool Mighty Mites boasts of five Native American kids that take
their football seriously.
Caleb Bigpond, as the name suggests, plays big at the Linebacker and the
Tight End positions. The big, little, Yuchi athlete tries to emulate his
favorite teams like the Dallas Cowboys and the Oklahoma Sooners. A quiet
player who leads by example, he is not shy to say that his favorite
thing about playing football is "hitting!"
Joined alongside Bigpond is Jesse Barnett, the 7-year old second grader
who plays Offensive Center and Defensive Tackle, agrees with his Yuchi
teammate about "hitting" being the greatest part of playing
Mighty Mite football. Barnett looks to the San Diego Chargers to draw
his playing inspiration.
Christian Perez attends school at Freedom elementary in Sapulpa, along
with his Mighty Mite teammates; he helps the team by playing the
Defensive Corner and Offensive Tackle positions. The field general, or
Quarterback, of the mighty mites is none other than Colton Kane. Bryce
Williamson is also a part of the Native American influence with the
Mighty Mites team.
Bigpond, Barnett, Perez, and Kane are Creek, while Williamson is Choctaw
and Cherokee. The team has enjoyed a successful season, going undefeated
with a perfect record of 8 wins. Coach Eric Williamson has had a lot to
be proud of in the Mighty Mite season and with five Indian boys helping
lead the way, elementary football in the Glenpool area looks bright
indeed.
Most important, the Mighty Mites don't have to look for an aired up
football, or a handy pair of tennis shoe string to get the game going.
Player Profiles
Caleb Bigpond #30
-6 yrs. old, 1st grade at Glenpool
-positions: TE, LB
favorite teams: OU, Dal. Cowboys
What he likes about football: hitting
Christian Perez #18
-7 yrs. old 2nd grade at Freedom Elem. in Sapulpa -positions: corner,
tackle
favorite team: Cin. Bengals
What he likes about football: hitting
Jesse Barnett #53
-7yrs. old 2nd grade at Glenpool
-positions: center, tackle
Favorite teams: OU/ San Diego Chargers
What he likes about football: hitting
Others: Colton Kane QB (Creek)
Bryce Williamson (Choctaw/Cher.) All have made big plays this season
Record: 8-0
Coach: Eric Williamson Glenpool White Mighty Mites