Lightning, Rain, Mud, and FUN!
The 2009 CVCA football season can be summed up in those four words. The Royals team included a unique combination of players comprising the largest (64 players) and youngest team CVCA has ever had.
The 2009 season included some of CVCA’s wildest most exciting games in team history: the last second “lightening win” over East Canton, the field goal that “rained down” to beat Tuslaw in double overtime, and the senior night “mud bowl” were all games that we will never forget.
Seven strong and courageous seniors led the way: Xavier Douglas, Mark Richard, Joe Peticca, Zak Knettel, Howard Bollar, Patrick Shaw, and Jordan Judd. The leadership these young men provided week in and week out proved to be a key element that held a young football team together and enabled the team to assemble a four-game winning streak in October, giving the Royals their fifth straight playoff appearance.
The Royals were led by Xavier Douglas, Zak Knettel, Mark Richard, and junior Alex Utley, who all earned First Team PAC-7 honors. Utley gained 1,350 yards, scored 22 touchdowns and broke the single-season tackle record by recording 137 tackles. Joe Peticca and Nathan Rosenberger were named Honorable Mention. Matt Meadows and Daniel Griffith contributed on both sides of the ball as they played linebacker and offensive line. Howard Bollar fulfilled key roles on offense, defense, and special teams as he played five different positions.
The Royals played as a team, as a family, as brothers, each sacrificing himself for the needs of others: “ A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17
Well done, CVCA football team.
