Kickoff finally here

By DAVID HUNTER/ The Cannon Courier

Kickoff is finally here for the Cannon County football teams. The entire community came together for a celebration of the start of the season on Aug. 20 at the courthouse on the square in Woodbury. All of the local football players and cheerleaders were honored on stage during the event.

"It is always a fun event to have the community come out and support the football programs," Cannon County football booster club president Sandra Jones said via email on Aug. 18. "The community shows up as they always do to support the kids. It is just a great time to spend a few hours meeting and talking about how the players are doing. We also take in some good food and buy a T-Shirt and other merchandise to support these programs. We are looking forward to a fun season on football."

Over 400 fans, players, cheerleaders and parents covered up the entire square during the evening on Aug. 20. It was a huge crowd, and both the players and cheerleaders were excited to be honored in front of it.

"I think it is really nice to see everybody, and you even have traffic in Woodbury, which you do not see often," CCMS eighth-grade center and nose tackle Nathaniel Campbell said.

Fellow classmate and cheerleader Bailey Bond added, "It is amazing, and it feels great to get the recognition for all of the hard work we have done."
The celebration was filled with all kinds of events, including all of the football teams and cheerleading squads being introduced to the crowd on a big stage put together by the local Sheriff office, led by Darrell Young. Each of the players on the youth, middle, high school football teams had their names called out in front of the large gathering of people, and they went wild.

All three cheerleading squads (youth, middle and high school) put on a terrific performance, including getting the crowd pumped up for the upcoming campaign. The cheerleading coaches include LarRissa Phillips, Tammy Smith and Holly Hardwood

"It is special, because you are part of something bigger, especially with our teammates and brothers," CCHS senior quarterback Brady Page said.
After all of the players and cheerleaders were introduced both Page and CCHS head football coach T. J. Daniel spoke to the huge group of supporters in attendance. They thanked them for coming out and they want them to come watch them play this season.

One of those fans at the event has been a longtime supporter of the Lions and Lionettes athletic teams, Bruce Daniel, owner of Huff N'Puff, which is one of the biggest companies here in town. He graduated from the high school in 1974, and this will be the first time in five years, he does not have a son on the team. However, he is all about the kids, and he was glad to see them get some attention.

"It is really good to see these kids fired up," Daniel said. "All of the hard work will pay off this season."
Besides the events on stage, each of the different teams had booths set up selling either barbecue or dessert hoping to raise money for their respective organizations. Also, Cannon County swag, including T-Shirts and other items were sold to the public.

"There was a lot of work put into it," Daniel said. "Hats off to all of the parents, and there is magic about the community bonding together."
The CCHS football season kicked off at Community on Aug. 21, and their first home game is against Jackson County on Friday night at 7 p.m.
The CCMS team heads to Jackson County on Sept. 17, while the CCYFB squads open the 2015 season at Watertown on Saturday morning.

"This is a great bunch of kids, and they have worked hard during this off season into the summer workouts," Jones said. "The team's unity with the addition of the new coaches appears to be a great fit and the booster club wants to do anything we can to support this team. We have a group of seniors that want to prove they can win, and leave the program in good shape for the underclassmen."