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Levitating

The announcer’s booth blared “Levitating” by Dua Lipa minutes before the start of the Smurf game at Chambersburg’s Northern Middle School Field.  I had been tabbed to help announce all four levels of football on this rainy September Sunday and was frustrated abouting running late and being drenched.  Dua Lipa’s dance hit agitated and pulsed into my psyche, but then I realized what it had inspired.  Looking down on to the home sidelines the Smurf team (5-7 year olds) danced and just lived in the moment.  They weren’t worried about the rain.  They weren’t nervous about the upcoming game.  Those Smurfs were only concerned about having fun with their buddies.  That’s when I really understood the impact Chambersburg Trojan Youth Association (CTYA) has made.

Last Fall I had a chance to talk with Tay Jones, Director of Football with CTYA.  CTYA was in their second season with the CFA, one of the premier Youth Football Leagues in the State, and had made remarkable improvement in just a year.  In 2021 Pee Wee Football (8-9 year olds) had gone 2-6, Pony (10-11 year olds) had gone 7-1 and Midget (12-13 years olds) had gone 4-4.  Last Fall all three teams were going into the playoffs as a first or second seed. 

I asked Tay, “How did this turnaround happen?”  “It’s the people, man.  Each person, whether it is a coach, player, cheerleader or volunteer… They come out here day after day wanting to be better.  Then when you want something like that, guess what?  You get better,” Tay said as he kept one eye on pre-practice setups.  “These kids, they just make you want to be a better coach… A better person.”  

Heartbreak

Last year CTYA’s Pee Wee level finished at 7-2 with a heartbreaking loss in the CFA Federal Playoff Quarterfinals.  I spoke with Pee Wee assistant and Assistant Director of Football Trent Stumbaugh after the loss.  “This loss hurts, but we’re proud of these boys and what we did this year.  It’s not what we do now that counts, but what these boys are going to do moving forward.  How they handle this loss is going to make them better players, but more importantly better people.  We’re going to keep improving.” 

Pony finished with CTYA’s best record at 8-1 and sustained a loss in the playoff semifinals.  Midget finished at 7-2 and also finished their season in the playoff semifinals.  The Smurf team finished the year by winning the 2022 Smurf Bowl.  CTYA League President Crystal Cosey had this to say about the 2022 success, “We’re trying to build a foundation and feeder system for the Chambersburg Varsity Trojan Football Program.  We want this to be a community program, a family, that helps to reduce the barriers of income, social diversity and transportation.”

Working Together

Henry Ford said it the best, “Coming together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” A large portion of the quick turnaround of the CTYA is the community and business involvement.  Current league sponsor Rick Ribeiro of Remax Elite Services was a Team Sponsor in 2021, but has been the league sponsor the last two seasons.  Rick’s sons have both played in the Spring Flag League and Ribeiro states that he’s, “Really proud to have such a great relationship with this organization and community.” 

Past League Sponsor and current Division Sponsor The Pineapple Group stated, “It was a great honor to be the inaugural “Hall of Fame Sponsor” for the 2021 Flag Football season. These adorable athletes are our future.” Owner/broker Laura Sponseller’s brother, John Nicklas is the head coach of the Pony team. Current Water Sponsor, past Division and Team Sponsor NEGLEY’S WATER’s social media mentioned, “We’re sure proud of this group and organization. Thank you for allowing us to be part of it. It is an absolute privilege to support and watch you grow.” 

Barra Orthodontics has been league Dental Sponsor the last two seasons and has been protecting the smiles of Trojans by helping to purchase all of the league mouth guards. New speciality sponsor Well Span Medical stepped in with AED donations and medical training for coaches and volunteers.  Other Division sponsors include:  Teflon Roofing (Division Sponsor for the past two seasons), Rydbom Building Solutions (Team Sponsor for the first two seasons) and first year Division Sponsor Dick’s Cabinetry and Flooring.  Dozens of local businesses have contributed to be a Team Sponsor and then there are several that have made a continuous pledge to be a Community Sponsor.  

Improvement

The sloppy, wet weather of Sunday didn’t slow down CTYA’s constant improvement.  The League went 2-1 on the day.  The Smurf Team continued their exciting efforts with several long scores and contagious excitement.  (Smurf games aren’t scored.)  The Pee Wee Team faced a very physically blessed Northern York Team.  Running back Lorenzo Burke churned out close to eighty yards on the ground with an explosive first step, but the wet conditions made it difficult for players to hold on the slippery football.  Turnovers proved to be too much as they fell to Northern York with a score of 0 to 20. 

In the Midget game Corvin Edwards continued his bruising running style to help the Trojans to an early lead.  Malachi Tasker’s athletic running was a nice mix as he was able to move the chains on several long conversions.  Quarterback Mason Costolo managed a great game and kept a cool head even in pressure situations.  Tight end Ashton Ewing made the catch of the game from a dart thrown by Costolo.  On defense Nathan Chambers and Isaiah Ferguson blanketed the field making tackle after tackle.  In the end the Midget Trojan Team left the field with a solid all round win.  

Closing out Sunday’s games were the Pony Trojans.  The battery mates of quarterback Ben Gabler and tight end Weston Nitterhouse connected on several long passing attempts.  On defense, cornerback Dylan Dick asserted his dominance making three tackles in a row on one squashed Polar Bear series.  His cornerback counterpart Jisiah Palmer teleported around the field pulling two interceptions from the air with one very lengthy return.  As the horn blew, the offense was too much, collecting 26 points on the day and defense bent, but didn’t break, resulting in no visiting points.  Another Trojan victory.

All Smiles

Throughout all four games the CTYA cheerleaders braved the elements with a poncho and a smile inspiring soggy spectators to “get fired up”.  Current Pony cheerleading coach Merisa Harbaugh is in her first year with her involvement with CTYA.  Her husband Travis is an assistant football coach at the PeeWee Level.  The Harbaugh family recently joined CTYA this year.   “CTYA is just one big family and everyone has been so welcoming,” Merisa summarized.  The cheerleaders and players left the field Sunday as happy as the Smurfs were dancing to “Levitating”.  Wet, but still smiling.  

In just three short years the impact of CTYA is evident.  While these players are having fun with their buddies, they’re improving.  Each day the organization is improving from top to bottom and is a little better than they were the day before.  I for one, can’t wait to see the direction of this organization and look forward to watching them continue to grow.  Keep dancing, Trojans.