All Tournament
The following Westside Christian Academy football players were named National Association of Christian Athletes Football Division II Championship All-Tournament Players:
*Senior linebacker and fullback Kelly Williams
*Senior wide receiver and defensive end Nate Bearden
*Senior linebacker Michael Jones
*Senior guard Kris Williams
*Senior center and defensive tackle Dwayne Denham
*Offensive player of the tournament: Junior quarterback Tora Anthony, Jr.
The Warriors delivered a 12-0 first-year record, bringing home state and national trophies. Westside won the National Association of Christian Athletes Football Division of Christian Athletes Football Division II Championship Tournament, earlier this month in Dayton, TN., with a 15-6 win over Florida Christian Institute of Fort Myers, Fla.
"It's one of those stories where we had a lot of obstacles to overcome," said Ounanian, who most call Pastor O. Getting $6,000 for uniforms was one hurdle and those uniforms didn't arrive until two days before the Warriors first game.
"Really we spent more like $12,000, with all the travel and everything else," said Ounanian on Saturday night, watching parents and some of the schools 160 students fill the gym for a celebration. Just outside the gym doors, nearly all 34 of the schools first-ever football players waited for the signal to dash, one at a time, through a gauntlet of pompom-waving cheerleaders while parents snapped photos. Christian hiphop music blared and joyful noises rose up from the cheerleaders.
The football players looked shy and happy while listening to speakers. But when Coach Sean Tarrant took the podium, he made little comment About the two glistening trophies or the row of medals intended for the players. Instead, he talked about character.
"Pastor O. is the only white boy that came into my Detroit neighborhood when I was a boy," he said. The two met when Tarrant was just 14, feeling the effects of living with his grandmother, mother and sisters. "Pastor O. said I would be a leader. He told me something no man had ever told me before."
Eighteen months ago, Ounanian hired Tarrant, now 42, to be dean of students and teach Westside's physical education, health and Bible classes.
"The Warriors are ... about building character so you can be the best fathers, best husbands and best men in the community," Tarrant said.
He promised that at least nine of the team's 12 seniors were eligible for some kind of college scholarship, partly because they set a goal early in the season to raise individual grade point averages to 3.0. Tarrant pointed to players in quick succession to rise as he announced their grade point averages. He singled out senior defensive end and offensive tackle Rodney Williams, who went from barely a 2.0 to a 3.8 "and he hasn't stopped. He's been grooving in class because his mind is made up," Tarant said.
William Mallory, president of Westside's booster club also praised Williams, who scored a nomination for a Rudy Award, given to inspiring middle and high school or college football players who inspire others. The award is named for Daniel.
"Rudy" Ruettinger, whose quest to play football for Notre Dame University resulted in a single play, but he sacked the quarterback. His dream is the subject of the film "Rudy."
Mallory became a Westside booster to support his son, sophomore wide receiver and corner back Nicholas Sweat-Alford, No. 28 on the team.
"Coach Tarrant taught me to never give up, to keep pushing myself," Sweat-Alford said.
Mallory said a $1,200 grant from the Detroit Lions lifted team spirits as well as the bank balance.
More importantly, he told the crowd, each player found in the Warriors a host of fathers and many brothers.
Mary Chavez-Thedford, junior quarterback, Tora Anthony's mother, read from a prepared statement, telling the crowd her son was so happy to finally play football because "he has six sisters at home, no brothers, and he was actually allowed to tackle."
But when she nearly died after a mis-carriage during the summer, Anthony got into trouble. She considered pulling him from the team. His coaches intervened, becoming "very strict dads that would help keep in check ... The burden of worry over my son's future has lifted," she said. "It's a good day to be a Warrior."
She said the young man who hadn't had a good review from teachers since fifth grade has turned around and is now sharing his parents' and coaches' advice with fellow students.
Guest speaker Steven McGhee, principal of The University of Central Preparatory High School in Detroit made a rousing speech, challenged the players to "be the light" for themselves, their families and community.
"When they tell you it can't be done, smile and think of Westside Christian Academy, because you saw something come out of nothing."
Article written by Peg McNichol, Detroit Daily Press sports writer
For more information about Westside, go to www.westsideca.org
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