Congrats to all 4 Teams, you all deserve to be there.
TYAA Blue - Defensively there isn't a team better. I have seen every team in this grade play and I will tell you now that TYAA Blue has the best defense hands down. They're a great group of kids and they have some of the best parents. When we played them about every parent met my team at the gate and lifted them up and made them feel great about how hard they played. They could have easily went straight to their kids, but they didn't and that means a lot to me. Those kind of moments are what keeps the boys going.
Sand Springs - They have worked hard to be where they are and are definitely the under dog team that made it to the final 4. This group is already a special group, but I can't wait to see what they're like in 3rd grade when that big group plays 11 man. Good job on coaching these boys up and congrats on making the Final 4.
Broken Arrow White - No matter what anyone wants to say about them, they have accomplished what 30 other teams haven't and made it to the Final 4. They have also accomplished what 32 other teams haven't as well and that is a perfect record. 9-0 for the season 12-0 overall. Coming to the final for with a perfect record of 12-0. They have scored more points than anyone and given up less than anyone. They're a great football team and don't get the credit they should. I have watched this team and here is what I will say. They don't have that amazing kid, they don't have linemen that will run you over and knock you on your butt every play. Here is what they do have, they have a group of kids that have chemistry, they have a group of coaches that have chemistry, they have kids that when they get knocked down they get back up and go, they have several athletes that want to win, and they have coaches that have been around for a bit with an understanding of how to win ball games. Regardless of anyone's opinion of them, they are a team that can win it all and they are a very well coached team.
Choctaw Gold - 12-0 for the season, a great ball club. I can't say enough about this organization, they stepped up and played in a league way outside of their normal realm. They could have just kept playing tournament ball or in a league that wasn't anywhere near the same as the INFC. A few years back they chose to make a change in their organization and play in the INFC. They get to hear how all the other teams on the West Side are so much better and how they play for a trash league now and so on....... They still show up and they still come back to the INFC for more. I don't know the exact reason why, but I can only imagine that on the West side (Outside of the INFC Teams) there is no structure in football which most likely means there isn't much development. If your playing 2-3 games a week and none are on the weekends then your probably not getting any individual development from your coaching. Not saying there are bad coaches, but just saying it's hard to teach the fundamentals of football if your competing in games and not practicing. If your out scouting for the fastest RB's in the state to give the ball to instead of developing your line and teaching blocking schemes. I have seen teams from the west play outside of the INFC and from what I see it looks like a horse race or like watching a MLB game from 1998-2001 when Bonds, Sosa, and Mcgwire were all hitting Home runs chasing the home run record. Choctaw chose a route that sets them apart from the mainstream on the West side and I believe in the end Choctaw will build something those other teams are incapable of achieving. Choctaw is the real deal, their kids are great on and off the field, their coaches are great on and off the field, and they play football as a developed team. They have studs no doubt, but they do not rely on a single player or even 2-3 players; they rely on every player to do their assignments. They play the best assignment football I have seen all year and that's saying a lot as I have seen some very good football teams.
Good Luck to all you guys, enjoy the moment because it's one that some never get to be in.