For seven glorious minutes Sunday, the Oxford Jr. Wildcats football team got to experience the thrill of playing on a National Football League field in a stadium packed with fans.
‘It was fun. I liked the fake grass,? said Devyn Cicero, who plays fullback and strong-side linebacker.
The local youth football program sent 44 players from its junior varsity squads, which consists of 8 and 9-year-olds, to play a halftime scrimmage at Ford Field during the Detroit Lions? home opener against the Green Bay Packers.
‘When the opportunity presented itself, we jumped on it immediately,? said Jr. Wildcats Commissioner Marke Cicero. ‘How do you not give these children a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity??
More than 120 players, ranging in age from 8 to 12, participate in the nonprofit Jr. Wildcats football program, which is part of the 11-team Hometown Football League. The Jr. Wildcats play an eight-game season that runs from the end of July through the end of October.
Accompanied by their parents and 13 cute little cheerleaders, the players spent the first quarter of the Lions game watching from their seats in sections 338 and 339, otherwise known as the ‘Family Fun Zone.?
The pint-sized gridiron warriors spent the second quarter suiting up for battle and anxiously waiting in the muggy tunnel for the Lions and Packers to exit the field.
A few lucky players got to slap hands with some of the Lions as they made their way back to the locker room.
Once the field was clear, it was show-time!
Clad in blue and gold, the players and cheerleaders exploded from the tunnel to take center stage as 60,285 roaring fans cheered them on.
‘A lot of these kids dream about playing on a field like this in front of a crowd this size,? said Commissioner Cicero. ‘Unfortunately, not every kid gets to grow up and play in the NFL. So, when they have an opportunity like this, it’s just foolish not to take advantage of it.?
Two scrimmages took place simultaneously as a Blue Squad faced off against a Gold Squad at each end of the field.
The sound was deafening as fans cheered every pass, every run, every tackle and every touchdown.
For a few brief moments, each Jr. Wildcat got to feel that heady mix of adrenaline and adoration that pro football players bask in every Sunday.
‘It was crazy on the field so I didn’t get to watch everything, but I could tell by the crowd response, they must have been some good games,? said Commissioner Cicero.
‘Great game today,? said Jacob Heidisch, a rightside linebacker, who noted he wasn’t at all nervous about playing in front of so many people. ‘It made me feel better than ever.?
‘It was pretty cool,? said Nathan Coffman, a first-string quarterback. ‘I’ve never been on the field before. It was a very good experience.?
‘I think I did pretty good,? said right guard Nathan Vandecar.
‘It was awesome,? said Tanner Saxon, who plays defensive end and right tackle.
Commissioner Cicero was grateful to the Lions for giving his players this most memorable experience.
‘I just want to thank the Lions Youth Football program for making this possible,? he said. ‘Everything we did behind the scenes to make this happen was worth it.?