By MATTHEW SHINKLE
The Sun
Down 13-8 in the fourth quarter after a touchdown by the opposing Rams, Haiden Redman of the Spartans broke free for a 65-yard rushing touchdown on the first play of the drive that would clinch the championship for Deptford.
“It was gratifying that all this work they’d put in shows for something,” Isaac Redman said. “We started training them in the spring long before football started. We were able to show the kids that if you really work for something that this can be the result.”
Redman said the kids were in awe and shocked by how big the stadium was after getting to the field even before playing any of the games. Then, after having played through the tournament to win, the emotions started to flow from everyone.
“They were all so excited,” Redman said. “And I don’t think there was any kid on the field that wasn’t crying, you know, tears of joy. The coaches were crying, their kids were crying.”
After getting back to the locker room after having won the championship, Redman said nearly a dozen kids had the chance to address their teammates and the coaches to talk about their season and how thankful they were to have gone this far.
“It was just a real heartwarming moment,” Redman said. “That right there was probably the most memorable moment of the whole time there; when the kids got up and thanked the coaches at the end.”
Over the course of the few days in Canton, the kids also got the chance to tour the Pro Football Hall of Fame to take a look at the past and present of football. The weekend was also made complete with a surprise game of laser tag for the kids as well to celebrate the impromptu vacation.
“It was just a great weekend all around,” Redman said.
