Congratulations OLSH Chargers on your WPIAL Win!

This past Sunday, I attended a football sports banquet for my grandson’s team. He played football at OLSH. The football program has only been around for eight years. The first couple of years they didn’t win any games or if they did it was a few. Last year, when my grandson, Matt, was a junior at OLSH, they won their division and but lost in the playoffs. This year, they won and were the Big 7 Section Champs and the Class A WPIAL Champs! They got to play at Heinz Stadium which was quite an honor and one that they will remember for the rest of their lives! In reality, not a lot of athletes ever get to play at a pro football stadium.

In the past two years, I pretty much attended and cheered on my grandson and his team with all the other families and fans. It was an awesome season. A number of Matt’s family and relatives enjoyed watching the games and cheering on the team. They came decked out in the OLSH school colors and even made signs, cheering on Matt and the team.

While attending the banquet, I was impressed with the football team especially the 15 seniors. I enjoyed watching them and listening to their speeches. I don’t remember everything that was said but I felt like I was part of their extended family. Since they were freshmen…and now seniors, they still were funny but they had matured quite a bit. They had grown into extraordinary and respectful young men.

Each senior was given an award and they were allowed to say something…share a memory or give thanks. Pretty much most of them thanked their parents. When Matthew got up, he not only thanked his Mom and Dad, he also thanked me. I was touched and moved by this. He had introduced me to a few of his teammates, one that night and others when we ran on to the field to celebrate some of the teams’ wins.

  

My praise has to go to the families who sacrificed quite a bit by sending their sons to a catholic high school. And for all their time that they extended with their driving to and from practices and attending the games…some at home and others far away.

Mostly, I was impressed by how my grandson has grown and matured. He also was a dynamo and a force to be reckoned with on the field. He was chosen to the 1^st Team All-Conference for defense. Being his grandmother…he should have been named Defensive Player of the Year…and a number of coaches would agree with me. Regardless of football…I am so proud that Matthew always asked me to come to his games and invited me to his banquet. He is not only my oldest grandson but we share something special.

Congratulations to the OLSH Chargers for a wonderful, dream year!

Thank you, Matt!