Championship Team Emphasizes Effort on and off the Field

When Mill Creek Athletic Association 9U football team head coach Clay Sturgill was asked about his team’s accomplishments this season, he surprisingly did not mention the championships or their great record.

“Our greatest accomplishments are developing these little kids, and helping them to bring out the inner football player they want to be,” Sturgill said. “We’ve had so many boys improve, not just their football ability but in personal confidence, understanding the rewards of their efforts (in school and at home) and believing that being a part of a real team is more rewarding than any achievement.”

As a coach dedicated to his players both on and off the field, Coach Sturgill says that he could talk for days about what he believes and what he feel makes youth football so special. But his team philosophy simply says it all.

“I believe in leading by example,” Sturgill said. “Sportsmanship, hard work, integrity and a positive attitude works the same on a football field as it does in life.” 

Teaching fundamentally sound techniques and execution was an important part of this team’s program, but they focused heavily on teamwork.

“All of our players learn blocking, tackling and learning what playing as part of a team really means,” coach Sturgill said. “Hopefully that translates to life beyond the lines of a football field. Great football is created by bonding the players, coaches and families while making the learning process fun for the player, then taking pride in executing what you practiced collectively on game day.”

Coach Sturgill describes his team as a bunch of happy-go-lucky kids who give everything they have to play like their team motto: Band of Brothers.

“They really have fun and seem to love practice and playing hard for each other and the coaches,” Sturgill said. “We push them hard and challenge them to improve their positional play and the more we challenge the more fun they seem to have. I love the way they all bring their personal best and Mill Creek pride every day in practice and it shows up on game day.”

Be sure to congratulate this awesome team by writing a message in the comments below!

Team of the Week: Mill Creek Hawks- 9U National League East, Gwinnett Football League

Head coach: Clay Sturgill

Additional coaches and helpers include: Terry York, Pat Mullins, Bryan Cherrie, John Pritchard, Stacy Manus, Chris Birch, Keith Ware, Keith “Old School” Trentham, Barry Brookshire, Hardy Lewis, and Michelle Rodriguez

Players:

Brendan “Sunshine” York - MVP and quarterback

Ryan Birch - running back,

Justin Manus  - fullback,

Mason “The Show” Roop - right outside linebacker,

Mason Ware - middle linebacker (first year player and might be best in the GFL),

Trey Mullins-wide receiver and cornerback

Max Sturgill - everyone’s best team mate,

Zach Devoie - rookie of the year  

Alec Gasca and Mason Ratcliffe - most improved players

Chase Hicks - The Sportsmanship Award

Connor Wright

Charlie Pritchard

Colby Brookshire

Ethan Selph

Aidan Roberson

Hardy Lewis

Hunter Moon

David Tengelsen

Cameron Neher

Kobe Roberts

Matthew Thorton

Evan Retter

Ryan Alexander

James West

Last year’s record: 12-0 and two time GFL Champions 7U and 8U

This year's record: 10-2 and trip to our third straight championship game.

Up next: This season is over, but the team is looking forward to next year! 

Click here for more information about the Mill Creek Hawks- 9U National League East and the Gwinnett Football League

Send us an email to nominate the next Dacula Patch team of the week!