Rays Honor Football Team, Seniors, with Flag Football Fest

Fathers were facing off against their sons. Coaches were battling the players they mentor on a daily basis. And everyone seemed to be having a good time as the Marco Island Academy football team, forced to end their season early, were honored with a flag football fest, Friday afternoon at Winterberry Field. Senior football players and cheerleaders were also honored at the event.

“It was a chance for everyone who has been involved in the program to come out and play together,” said Lew Montgomery, MIA head football coach. "We had alumni, we had coaches, players, friends. It was such a great turnout. It was great to see everybody come out and enjoy each other. It was a great event.”

The Rays were forced to end their football season early as they saw their roster dwindle due to injuries.

“The roster was too thin to begin with,” MIA athletic director Jerry Miller said, “then you lose a handful of kids, and that’s that. We started with small numbers, and we had some injuries, and it got to the point where player safety had to be priority number one. Starting a football game with too small of a roster puts that in jeopardy." 

The flag football fest was the school’s way of showing appreciation to the players and cheerleaders. The action of the field was spirited.

"Coach Montgomery did a real good job of organizing some games for them,” Miller said, "getting equal teams and letting some coaches and some parents be involved. I think it was fun for all. Isn’t it funny how we all become competitive? There was no shortage of competition."

"It was great to see it,” Montgomery said. "All these boys have fire. They got after it. I knew that they would. It was good to see everybody get out there and get after it."

The Rays were 0-4 when they were forced to end their season early. The flag football fest, and honoring of the senior players and cheerleaders, was good for everyone.