It Begins...

For the casual spectator or even the most rabid of fans, Opening Kickoff marks the beginning of hope. It's the end of a long hot summer devoid of any real distractions in the world of sports. It's the end of quiet Friday nights, the end of lazy Saturday afternoons, the end of Sunday drives to unplanned destinations. It's the end of life as we know it and back to life as we want it. It's football season.

The Pepperell Middle School football season kicked off for everyone else last Saturday. For the coaches, players, and parents the season started way back in January. These young men have sacrificed weekends, toiling away in the cold, the rain, and now the heat, they've ran a million routes, caught a thousand balls, and watched hours of film. They've worked hard to reach the beginning and there was no doubt that they were ready.

Last Saturday they lined up across from the team from across the tracks, playing on a practice field with no clock, no scoreboard, and no bleachers they trotted out onto the field to play the first game of the season. They would have played in the parking lot without pads if they had been asked to, they just wanted to play.

Payden Newberry was the first to welcome the new season when he buried Darlington's kick returner deep in his own territory. Picking up where they left off from last week's scrimmage, the front four of Anderson, Nichols, Sandoval, and Barkley set to disappointing Darlington's morning. After a quick set of downs, Darlington punted the ball away. Blayze McCary fielded his first punt return of the season and quickly scored his first touchdown on a 70-yard return. Sadly, the TD would be negated due to a block in the back. However, McCary was undeterred by the setback and quickly took a Chance Hopper pass across midfield and into the endzone for the early lead. Christian Sandoval added one of several extra points of the contest to make it 7-0.

After all was said and done, Pepperell would have five players record a touchdown vs Darlington. Both Tre Chatman and Isaiah Anderson would rush for touchdowns while McCary and Hoggencamp would do the honors through the air. Chance Hopper accounted for 3 passing touchdowns while Payden Newberry got into the action with a long scoop and score after a Darlington fumble. Blayze McCary added an interception while each and every member of the defensive front recorded at least one tackle for loss in the 49-7 victory.

Up next for Pepperell will be the 0-1 Armuchee team that lost a heartbreaker to Chattooga last week.