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EAGLE VALLEY, COLORADO 10/13/2009 The EVMS Pirates win the 2009 Middle School 8th Grade Football Championship over the Gypsum Creek Middle School Wolves on the new turf field at Eagle Valley High School. It was a low scoring defensive battle with goal line stands by both teams, resulting in a narrow 8-6 win for the Pirates. Though the video doesn't show it the Wolves narrowly missed a rare field goal attempt early in the game and the Pirate's Cody Thurston blocked another short field goal on 4th down with just 4 seconds on the clock. If either goal was good it would have resulted in a one point victory for the Wolves. Also, you won't see Cody's block of that last field goal because the idiot camera man was trying to be creative by filming through the uprights. However, you will see that Johnny Bailey picked up that live ball and returned it for an amazing TD with his lightning speed. Unfortunately the ref called it back, saying he blew the whistle with one second left because Johnny had touched his knee. There is no evidence of that on the video but at least everyone on the Pirates side knew the game was won, thinking at worst all it would take is a kneel down to seal the victory. However, as the refs called the players back (they already had their helmets off and there were celebrations all around) the Wolves lined up for another field goal try, confusing everyone, including the refs. The Pirate's coaches were screaming at the refs to stop the play because the blocked field goal was a 4th down try and though the resulting TD was called back there was no penalty, resulting in a Pirates possession by downs with just one second left. The continued chaos resulted in a 5 yard penalty for the Pirates, backing them up nearly in their own end zone, but in the end a kneel down by the QB Henry Smirl finally ended one of the most exciting games ever.
The two teams that battled so hard were teammates two years earlier as the Fighting Eagles, when they won the 6th Grade 2007 Superbowl together after a totally dominant season under coach Ray Kosak. In 2008 the Wolves squeaked out a victory over the Pirates, as the Pirates failed to convert in the last seconds of the game. Just the reverse this year. The saving grace for both of these powerful and talented teams is that they will again be one as they advance to Eagle Valley High School in 2010. Thanks to Pirate coaches Ted Gould and Brady Baker, Principal John Trinca, Athletic Director Tommy Dodge, our dependable QB and team leader Henry Smirl, our great center for life, Braden McClintock who suffered and early, season ending injury but came to practice and every game with a great attitude. Special thanks to Jill Smirl for all of her great efforts in organizing volunteers and fundraising. Lastly, thanks to the awesome team parents, the ultimate 12th man!
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