Muleshoe Longhorns take championship

STAFF WRITER

[email protected]

The Longhorns from Muleshoe walked away with the championship at the end of the Little League flag football season.

Staff photo: Kurt Munz-Raper

Longhorns player Davian Sital, 7, looks to get by a defender at the Little League flag football semi-finals Thursday afternoon.

Four teams competed Thursday evening: The Spartans, the Longhorns, the Wolverines and the Red Raiders.

The Longhorns won 28 to nothing against the Spartans and 25-12 against the Wolverines, according to Recreation Center City Sports Coordinator T.J. Garcia. The Wolverines beat the Red Raiders 46-26.

Despite wins and losses, what matters most to coaches is the teamwork and discipline the players learn during the season.

“This feels great to go somewhere to compete,” said Longhorns Coach Luis DeLeon. “They (the players) were glad that they’ve won and all their hard work has paid off.”

DeLeon said the Longhorns are preparing for a championship game at Slaton, Texas, adding he is “hoping to make some noise there.”

“It’s just what we do to have fun,” said DeLeon. “The kids worked hard and they deserve it. At the end of the day it’s about the kids.

“To me, football has a lot more to teach other than athletics,” DeLeon added. “It teaches a child to be accountable and discipline, have them be respectful for their own actions. You build relationships with these kids and they trust you. There’s more than just football.”

DeLeon’s son, Luis Jr., 7, said the season went well, adding the important things he learned included running up the middle on the field and having a fun team to play with.

Despite losses, the coaches of the Spartans and the Red Raiders said the experience is what counts for the players.

“As long as the kids are having fun, that’s why we’re out here,” said Spartans Coach Todd Mosier. “Just getting the basics and having fun.”

“The season went pretty good,” said Red Raiders Coach Dathan Culpepper. “Enjoyment and a lot of fun, that’s what it’s about. At first they’re skeptical but at the end they get out teamwork... a little about football and how it works.”

Culpepper said it was more challenging this year coaching younger players but received a great support system.

“Just having a good assistant coach, getting to know the kids and having a good support system with the parents overcome that challenge,” said Culpepper.

Todd Mosier said he coached his team for three years. He added one of the most important things for the team is learning good sportsmanship.

“Any time having K (Kindergarten) through second (grade), you’re trying to get kids to pay attention,” said Todd Mosier. “That’s the biggest challenge.”

But the team nevertheless improves with practice, Todd Mosier said.

“From first practice till now, you can tell the difference,” he said. “They do really well. We try to get the kids real involved. We get them to play each position, teaching responsibility, working together, teaching you to be a part of a team and get these kids out here doing something.”

Todd Mosier’s son, Kalan, 8, noted the Wolverines were a challenge during the season, but hoped to beat them during the championships.

But it is all about the teamwork, he said.

“It’s really about bringing our team together, having fun, getting to know each other better and learn more about football,” said Kalan Mosier.

Wolverines Coach Gabe Ortega said the team won the championship last year, the only time the team won in his three years of coaching.

“We fell short last night, but regardless of the score, all the kids are champions,” Ortega said. “We won one last year, lost this year, but our future looks bright.

“To be a great athlete, it starts at home and it starts at school,” added Ortega. “They grew not only as an athlete but as a student and a young man and a young woman. It was a hard fought game and they gave their all. You’re molding a future athlete, and it starts now.”