Donahue Football Team Faces Toughest Test in Championship Game
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Published on Wednesday, 11 December 2013 16:44
The Donahue Academy Shamrocks play for the Florida Christian Association of Private and Parochial Schools (FCAPPS) state 7-man football champsionship Saturday night against Cornerstone Christian Cougars in a battle of undefeated teams with identical 12-0 records.
Donahue, in its fifth season, goes in as the underdog against their top-ranked opponent from Gainesville.
"Cornerstone has been ranked #1 all season, and deservedly so," said Donahue head coach Rich Scanlon. "They have won each of their games this season by at least 20 points, and have some exceptional athletes, two of whom are being highly scouted by a number of colleges."
Scanlon and his coaches particularly have their eye on the Cougars captain Jake Altom, a versatile six-feet, one-inch dynamo who has been causing opposing teams fits on both sides of the ball this season.
"He has outstanding speed and is very shifty," Coach Scanlon said. "He will line up at quarterback and wide receiver on offense, and free safety and linebacker on defense and also is their kick return man. He most likely will be voted the Most Valuable Player in our league."
Coach Scanlon said that his coaching staff this year "has tried to take the focus off the result -- winning games-- and place it on the process: reaching excellence and peak performance, playing to the best of your ability with the talents God has given you and to Glorify God."
"This team has showed an exceptional ability to accomplish this. They have also learned the importance of teamwork. Everyone on the field is united to the guy next to him and they love and rely on each other. Because of this our team is highly motivated to accomplish their goals. And, they have accomplished every goal so far because of their ability to play for each other and not themselves. At the end of the season we won't have the MVP of the league or the best individual statistics. But, we will have one of the best teams in the state."
That doesn't mean, though, that Scanlon doesn't think his squad can win Saturday night.
"We didn't come this far to roll over and play dead. If we can contain Altom and eliminate the big plays while winning the turnover battle, I like our chances. We have a team of young men who have no quit in them and are capable of motivating themselves at the right moments. This is a group of young men who I anticipate will be highly successful later in life and could have a positive impact on our culture."
The game is at 7 p.m. Saturday at a neutral field, Bryant Stadium in Lakeland, FL. Buses have been organized to take fans to the game and anyone interested should call the Donahue Academy office as soon as possible. The bus costs $20 per person and admission to the game is $7 for adults, $5 for students.
