GOD’S GRIDIRON GLORY

Selected for 16th Annual FCA Victory Bowl, Clifton football represented by Finney, Tunnell, Mayfield in cheer, Gaona in softball; Meridian’s Alvizo, Band of Gold among CenTex all-stars

When Central Texas athletes gather to participate in their respective sport’s all-star game as a part of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Victory Bowl festivities each summer, it becomes much more about the experience than the games themselves.

Such proved to be the case for Clifton graduating seniors Riley Finney and Parker Tunnell, who were selected to play for the Red Team in the 16th Annual Victory Bowl football game June 1 at Waco ISD Stadium, while Dixie Mayfield was selected to the Red Team Cheer squad, and Laylah Gaona was placed on the Red Team for the Victory Bowl all-star softball game.

“I cannot say enough about the wonderful experiences this opportunity affords these kids,” Clifton athletic director and football head coach Brent Finney said. “It is such an honor to be selected and the athletes have so much fun participating. The activities they get to participate in are wonderful. The kids stay in host homes while practicing and also get to meet other kids from other central Texas schools.”

Also presenting Bosque County in the Victory Bowl football all-star game, Meridian graduated senior Noah Alvizo was selected to play for the Blue Team along with Kyle Wright of Valley Mills.

“The FCA Victory Bowl is great for our seniors to be involved with other seniors in the area to get to play the game one more time,” Meridian athletic director and football head coach Jim Kerbow said. “The players can build relationships that can benefit them in the future. It’s very exciting to have players selected to play in the Victory Bowl. It’s an opportunity for some of the players get to strap on the pads one more time.”

Other area athletes participating in the Victory Bowl events included Iredell’s Connor Sweat selected to the Blue boys basketball team, Blum’s Skylar Allen and Hico’s Kiersten Fincannon selected to the Red softball team, as well as Joneboro’s Demarcus Acoff and Jacob Cisneros selected to the Blue football team.

Bringing sports venues across Central Texas to life May 29-June 1, the 16th Annual FCA Super Centex Victory Bowl all-star games featured graduated seniors from over 100 high schools in 12 counties from the Heart of Texas area. The teams were coached by local head coaches and made up of players and cheerleaders who were nominated and selected by each of the Victory Bowl coaching staffs.

This year, the Victory Bowl service projects, practices and contests brought together 92 football players, 24 volleyball players, 20 cheerleaders, 36 baseball players, 30 softball players, 75 band members and 30 area head coaches.

“It is such an honor to be selected athletically,” said Finney, Riley’s father. “But more importantly, these athletes get to spend time talking about and discussing life after high school, building and strengthening their faith, and how to find fulfillment spiritually.”

Other games included the 11th annual Victory Bowl volleyball game June 1 at University High School, the third annual Victory Bowl basketball games with the boys’ and girls’ playing May 29 at Fairfield High School, as well as the Victory Bowl softball and baseball games May 31 at the Red Murff Complex at Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton.

Joining Finney and Tunnell on the Red Football Team were players from Axtell, Belton, Bishop Reicher, Bruceville, Bynum. CenTex Bearcats, Central Texas Christian, Crawford, Dawson, Gatesville, Gholson, Hamilton, Harker Heights, Hillsboro, Hubbard, Lake Belton, McGregor, Milford, Oglesby, Riesel, Troy, Vanguard, West and Wortham.

On the Blue Football Team with Alvizo and Wright, players selected were from Blooming Grove, Bosqueville, Cameron Yoe, Chaparral, Chilton, Corsicana, CenTex Outlaws, Fairfield, Florence, Groesbeck, Holland, Jonesboro, Kerens, Killeen, Lorena, Methodist Home, Mildred, Mount Calm, Rice, Robinson, Rogers, Rosebud-Lott, Salado, Teague, Texas Wind, Waco Connally, Waco La Vega, Waco University and Waco High.

On the heels of advancing to the Class 2A Baseball Regional Finals, Valley Mills also placed three players on the Blue Baseball Team – Kennett McLane, Cason Johnson and Thomas Perez, who will also play in the THSBCA 2A-3A-4A All-Star Game June 15 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock.

Starting with multiple days of preparation and activities for some of the top athletes and cheerleaders in the area, the teams gathered on Wednesday at University High School to meet their coaches, get equipment, pose for photos and practice for the first time. Other activities on the agenda for the week included a team pancake-eating contest, a pep rally, and several service opportunities.

With Central Texas boasting some of the state’s best high school softball competition, Gaona played for the Red Team in the FCA’s must-see Victory Bowl all-star game as the Red squad edged the Blue Team for a 5-3 victory. After all, Central Texas schools like Class 1A state champion Jonesboro, Class 2A state semifinalist Crawford, Class 5A regional finalist Lake Belton, Class 4A regional semifinalist Robinson, Class 2A regional semifinalist Bremond and Class 3A regional quarterfinalist Troy all made it multiple rounds into the playoffs this season.

Preparation for the football game also started on Wednesday when players from across Central Texas got together to practice. Four days of practice later, they had to somehow become two competent football teams. Parker Tunnell followed in the footsteps of his older brother Carter Tunnell, who participated in the Victory Bowl football game last season.

“This is one of my most cherished days of the year,” Parker’s mother Tonya Albrecht said. “I love FCA, I love the Victory Bowl, I love the week and what the kids get to experience, and I love our people cheering on our kids. We are honored as a family to get to return this year and watch Parker play also.

“Thank you to the coaches and staff for what you instilled into these kids this week. Not football, but Jesus. Thank you to the host families and all the volunteers that make this happen. You are cherished by our boys always.”

Alviso enjoyed the challenge and the experience on Saturday as the Blue Team jumped out to a two-score lead in the first quarter. But the Red Team got on the board with a touchdown just before halftime.

“Noah is a player that is going to be hard to replace,” Kerbow said. “He has been a leader in our athletic program on and off the field. He will definitely be missed.”

Led by Chilton’s Issac Redd, who took home co-offensive MVP honors after scoring a touchdown and sharing the award with his brother Isaiah Redd, the Blue Team defeated the Red Team, 28-18, Saturday.

“It was a great way for Parker to wrap up his high school football career in the FCA Victory Bowl game in Waco this morning,” Parker’s father Clint Tunnell said. “The Red team came up short at the end, but it was a great game played by both the Blue and Red teams. I’m proud of our #1, #2, #5 today and his past 13 years of sports.”

After playing in the Clifton Cub backfield for the last two seasons, Tunnell signed to play football at Hardin-Simmons University this fall.

“On to the next chapter…college ball at Hardin-Simmons University,” Clint Tunnell said. “We couldn’t be more proud of Parker and him being able to follow his childhood dream of playing football in college. It’s official…we are now a Cowboy family.”

“Riley and Parker have been a part of our varsity football team for a long time and have provided many years of highlights and leadership,” Finney said. “I could not think of two better kids to represent our program.”

For some players, the Victory Bowl represents the first step from high school to competing at the college level. And in particular, the football game features a diverse group of players ranging from Class 1A’s six-man football all the way up to Class 6A. But for others, it’s one last chance to step onto the field and compete in their respective sport.

“We are thankful for family, coaches and friends that were able to come out and support Noah Alvizo today,” said Sonia Alvizo, Noah’s mother. “It meant a lot to us and Noah. It was hot, but a lot of fun.”

MERIDIAN’S BAND OF GOLD

Providing the music spirit to the event, six members of the Meridian High School Band of Gold – Caleb Cummings, Colby Cummings, Dawson Cummings, Hayden Cummings, Daniel Terrell and Jackson Boganwright were selected to participate in the 16th Annual Fellowship of Christian Athletes Super Centex Victory Bowl all-star football game June 1 at Waco ISD Stadium.

“The FCA Band provides our students with the opportunity to perform and connect with like-minded individuals,” Meridian band director Daniel Yguerabide said. “Students that participate are leaders in their respected school organizations, and this contributes to the quality of performance and skill demonstrated on game day.

“Rehearsing students from various programs allows them to learn new experiences such as different ways to accomplish the same goals, new strategies to develop skills, and working together to produce a great performance outcome. These are all lessons that can be applied in their own band programs.”

With 75 band members selected from over 100 high schools in 12 counties across the Heart of Texas area, the FCA-sponsored event gives high school students the opportunity to play, both performance-wise and spiritually.

“One of the most important aspects of FCA Band is the networking between people of faith,” Yguerabide said. “Hearing testimonies from guest speakers and their fellow bandmates offers perspective on how to overcome shared challenges and to further connect into God’s Kingdom.

“Colby Cummings said it best as he found the courage to speak in front of the Friday night pep rally, ‘I’ve been saved for five years, but it’s great to meet so many with the same faith as me. Thank you all for what you are doing. Keep trusting in God.’”

With multiple days of preparation and activities for some of the top musicians in the area, Yguerabide took pride in seeing his students rise to the occasion and excel in the moment.

“The Band of Gold is fortunate to have many students demonstrating true talent and investment in the program,” Yguerabide said. “These students are just a small representative of leadership that is being built to produce a legacy of P.R.I.D.E., our band motto: Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Discipline, Excellence. Our growth and success the last few years is due to the consistency of hard work placed by these students.”

But with that said, both Yguerabide and his students participated in the event well aware that it was about much more than the musical performance itself.

“The values of FCA include Integrity, Excellence, Servitude, and Teamwork,” Yguerabide said. “These students and others that were not able to attend have strived the last few years to demonstrate those pillars into our program.

“As a mentor and educator, seeing them honored by being selected to the FCA Band brings perspective to what we do daily. It’s not what occurs on the field or the performance stage. It’s about our character and commitment in the preparation, and how we truly associate with others to create a positive environment.”

Photos courtesy of TONYA ALBRECHT, CLINT TUNNELL & DANIEL YGUERABIDE