The calendar said it was Father's Day. The scoreboard said the day belonged to the kids.
But the smiles said it all Sunday when Comox Valley Raiders Youth Football held their third annual Peewee Father's Day Game at Woodcote Park.
The young players showed they had been listening closely to their coaches in the weeks leading up to the contest as they romped to a convincing 42-6 victory over a team of dads that included many of their mentors.
The Goobers (as the kids were called) scampered with the ball past outstretched arms that strove valiantly but in vain to tag them, while the oldtimers' offensive efforts were stymied by a swarming Goobers' defence.
The smiling faces of players on both sides of the ball and the supporters along the sidelines were proof positive that a good time was had by all in the fun-filled frolic, which was capped by the Goobers hoisting the Sinclare Cup.
"It was amazing to see this group grow as our eight weeks together progressed," said Pat Pidsosny, Raiders' vice-president of football operations, who played for the dads' team Sunday.
"Each year we host this program from April to Father's Day and the kids just soak it up like sponges. For some it is the only sport that they have ever been involved in," said Pidsosny.
"It is this sport that allows kids of all body types and backgrounds to converge and have a great time while learning fundamentals of football. We have been fortunate enough to have many of these athletes return year after year and some play all the way through high school or further.
"Personally as a coach I can honestly say that this age group is the one that reminds us why we started coaching. Every one of these kids is a superstar because they have joined an unconventional sport (at least for the Valley) and put their heart and minds fully into it," Pidsosny added.
The Raiders are currently registering for Junior Bantam (ages 11-13) and high school programs at Mark Isfeld and G.P. Vanier (ages 14-17) which will begin with their annual summer camp on Aug. 20-21.
For registration info contact Pat at 250-792-3873 for Junior Bantam or Chris at 250-338-3815 for Mark Isfeld or Dean at 250-203-0353 for G.P. Vanier.
sports@comoxvalleyrecord.com