Four years ago, no one would have suspected that on this chilly Sunday evening, a team of about 40 high school boys would be running off the Stony Brook field into a sea of screaming fans after winning the Long Island Championship for the 3rd year in the row! Congratulations to the Shoreham Wading River varsity football team for achieving the incredible. You've made us all proud to call this small community our home.
To many seniors, this wasn't just the last time they would play football as an SWR Wildcat, but the last time they would play football at all.
"It feels amazing to end my last season of football on top," said senior, Dean Stalzer. "It's indescribable, and I have the battle wounds to prove it."
Pictured above, Dean Stalzer and Liam Mahoney showing off said battle wounds on the sideline after the game. His smile still radiates the joy and accomplishment they felt after the big win, regardless of the pain.
These boys have formed bonds with one another that are more comparable to those of a family than those of teammates. Many of them started playing together before elementary school. Their brotherhood began back in the simple days while running around Defense Hill in bright colored cleats, practicing for Long Island Shark games they knew they would win. Pictured below is Hans Wiederkehr, the coach that's been the source of knowledge and motivation since the start. He's one of the many who has helped shape them into the inspiring players they are today.
"At the start of the season, did you expect to be three time LIC champs?"
"I knew we would have to work hard for it, but it was always on our minds. We fed off the momentum from previous years and kept it rolling," Stalzer responded.
They created memories they'll never forget. "They're my brothers," senior Ethan Wiederkehr added, a brotherhood that stayed Tommy Tough and achieved all of their goals.
Pictured above is lineman Ethan Wiederkehr congratulating running back Chris Gray after his first touchdown during the first half of the Sunday, November 27th LIC game.
Even if they were seen as underdogs only a short four years ago, they certainly are equally respected and feared in the football community today.
"Thanks to dedication, hard work, commitment, and love for both one another and the game, we've done it again." -Chris Gray, starting running back.
