Small numbers leading to more teamwork for sixth-graders

Russell Hodges
Posted 7/30/17

The Rochelle Junior Tackle sixth grade football team may not have a large roster, but head coach Ben Mershon and his players are out to prove that heart is more important than size.

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Small numbers leading to more teamwork for sixth-graders

Posted

ROCHELLE — The Rochelle Junior Tackle sixth grade football team may not have a large roster, but head coach Ben Mershon and his players are out to prove that heart is more important than size.

The sixth-graders will host Morrison on Saturday, Aug. 12 at 1 p.m. for their first game of the 2017 season. The Junior Hubs fell to Morrison 22-6 last year as fifth-graders, and with just 20 players making up the current roster, teamwork will be crucial if the players aim to bounce back from last season’s defeat.

“We’re really excited,” Mershon said. “We have some talent and I think the kids will do some damage… They’ll have to play together as a team. That will have to be their main strength going forward. With our numbers, we won’t have many subs coming in, so they’ll to have to work hard.”

Running and blocking were Mershon’s two key areas of focus during practice this past week, and the players will continue to hone those skills as the season progresses. While the sixth-graders will work week-by-week to get ready for each opponent, Mershon said his ultimate goal is to help prepare players for a future in football, especially at the high school level.

For Mershon, the Rochelle Junior Tackle program means one thing.

“It means Rochelle football when they get to high school,” he said. “It starts here and ends there. I think it’s awesome. The whole program is awesome and it helps get them ready for high school football which is what the kids want to do.”