faces, like tiger stripes. Kalli had her own ritual, she often wore a big pink bow in her hair, a tradition picked up from her cheer sport. Other girls have thrown in components from cheer and dance as well, one teammate launched into a back hand-spring after scoring a touchdown. “Reeses Pieces, Buttercup! Mess with us, we’ll mess you up!” Kalli chants for me one of the many cheers that they used during the games. Season’s Reflection They had a great season, played very competitively and came very close to winning some games. Though they didn’t have any wins on their scorecard, three games came down to the final play before they were overtaken. Kalli recalls the competitiveness during one of the games. “One boy was screaming so loud, he was the quarterback, he was super mad one time because we kept getting their flags!” She also mentions making a couple of boys cry, which seemed to be a highpoint for the girls. “They competed just as well as any of the boys’ teams,” adds Dusty. When I ask Kalli what her favorite part of the season was, she is hesitant to answer. Her dad asks her, “Was it practice?” “No,” she smiles. “Not practice. I liked to run the ball. I also liked defense.” Kinsley, age 6 and going into Kindergarten, plays soccer and softball; Kami is four and is going into pre-four pre-school and 16 month-old Koco is the cheerleader of the house who is already learning what a football looks like. The family contains a blend of professional football fans, from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the Denver Broncos. Kalli is a Broncos fan herself, but she said she really loves to watch her older brother Caid play. She would like to continue playing football and wants to play for Yankton’s high school football team, the Yankton Bucks. More Than A Game Dusty explains that this team has created a closer bonding for some of the fathers and daughters in the league. The fathers that are football fans can now talk about football with their daughters who have a better understanding of the game. The girls have built confidence and friendships from the sport, he explains. The boys were very accepting about playing the girls in football. “None of (the girls) considered that they could play football before. These girls, now at school, they used to watch the boys play football. Now her and her friends that played football are playing football with the boys on the playground.” The season made an impact on Kalli. Her favorite memory is when she scored a touchdown. Another favorite memory is when a friend Goals of hers, who broke her arm at an earlier practice, played during the Dusty hopes to create a small flag football league that could involve kids up to third, fourth and fifth grade. “I would hope that there would season’s last play of the game and made a long run and nearly scored a touchdown. be enough interest for more flag football,” he explains. He would also Kalli mentions that she would like to work more on passing this like to see more girls get involved in the sport. year and Dusty adds that they focused primarily on covering the “I would definitely like to see another girls team,” he states. fundamentals last year, using more running plays than passing plays. After these girls are finished with flag football, they can move into Kalli encourages other girls to play if they want to. the South Dakota Junior Football league if they wish to start tackle “It would be easy,” she grins. football. He has confidence in their ability and encourages them to Dusty questions her. “The boys weren’t too tough for you guys?” continue playing football if they like it. “They can certainly play. If you She laughs and exclaims, “No!” We laugh at her candor. I can just can play flag (football), you can play tackle.” imagine how exciting it is to watch her and the other girls on the field. The couple have another daughter, Kinsley, who will go into first If your boy or girl child is interested in playing football, grade when Kalli finishes up playing flag football, so Dusty will information is available continue coaching for her. Withplanks with a lifetime stress-free warranty, at www.yanktonyouthfootball.com 6”x48” six children in their family, there’s never a dull moment in their house. Caid, age 17, plays varsity football, or contact Becky Souchek at (402) 460-7928 or by email at designed to coordinate10, plays today’s décor and to stand up to all of life’s messes. r_souchek@hotmail. with tackle football, hockey and yanktonjuniorleaderfootball@hotmail.com or hockey and baseball; Kobe, age com. baseball; Kalli, age 8, is involved in football, cheer, hockey and softball; vBy Julie Eickhoff, photos courtesy of Kathy Church gton.com | 1.800.356.6787 ©Floor Designs Copyrighted by Mannington Mills, Inc. ®©™Mannington Mills, Inc. 2016 Adura ® LUXURY VINYL TILE | PLANK Featuring a wide array of styles, designs, and possibilities, Adura® combines the look of real wood or tile with the exceptional durability and performance of a premium luxury vinyl ?oor. 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