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Commissioners Spirit of Football Award The Commissioners Spirit of Football Award is presented to a Sponsor, Official, Representative, Coach or Player who has demonstrated all of the characteristics that make up the creed of the CFA Football League Organization. The recipient will have demonstrated qualities of Honor, Courage, Sportsmanship, Unselfishness, Commitment and Family. The CFA Football League congratulates the recipient of this Award for their continued efforts in sporting these qualities and being recognized with this accomplishment. # 86 - Patrick Lauer
Dreams come true. Fifteen (15) years ago they said I may not walk or talk, but the Cumberland Valley Football Association and all the staff have helped so so much along the way. Years ago I was walking my dog Buddy, and I saw a bunch of football players and of course I ran to them. I pulled my dad along the way! I met a big Teddy Bear, Coach Shapley, and he welcomed me to the team, even though I wasn't registered, he made me my first helmet and got me in my first play. If it was not for CV football I would have not have met Coach Shaps, Matt, TJ or Coach Gerry and all of the helpers along the way. I don't like to do Ready Ready's, but I can do laps, and of course I like to dance after a big score! I'll miss the road trips, locker rooms, mud and playing under the lights. I'll miss the people at the hot dog stand and the opposing teams, but I'll see you soon! Yours Truly, #86 Patrick Lauer. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - # 5 - Owen Marsico
If it's one thing football fans at any level know, it's that the heart of a champion can beat in players of all shapes and sizes. Under the lights of a beautiful fall evening, eight (8) year old Owen Marsico took the field for the Holy Name of Jesus Jets football team and showed everyone there's a champion within him as well. All year, Owen, who has Down Syndrome, has been on the sidelines. He's always had a crucial role giving play calls with assistant coach Jason Pulaski and leading cheers as the team's manager. In addition, he spends a good bit of time with his buddy Kevin Parker in the announcer's booth, providing commentary. The only thing Owen hadn't done in the years he watched his three brothers from the sidelines is play a game himself. All that changed when Parker, knowing that such things had been done before, and the team's coach, Phil Petrina, decided to see if their season's final opponents, the Good Shepherd Rams, would be wiling to let Owen make a play in the final moments of the game. The coaches, the parents, the team, were extremely receptive. After a war whoop befitting a pro squad, Ben Marsico, 7, and the team's quarterback, took his brother by the hand and rushed him onto the field with the rest of the team. Throughout the evening, coaches reminded Owen that he was going to run his favorite play, the 25 power, a running play. Ben would be handing off to him. All he had to do was aim for the end zone. From the sidelines, Ben and Owen's parents, Jodi and Eddie, waited with cameras in hand, along with the boys grandparents, aunts' and uncles. With the Jets ahead and the clock ticking down to the last 10 seconds, the team lined up shoulder pad to shoulder pad. O-dog! Are your ready? Parker called from the box. Owen turned, looked up and grinned. Announced to a roar of applause, Owen lined up behind his younger brother and put out his hands. He grasped, tucked and with Petrina leading the way, raced for the end zone. Gathered there were the Pony and Midget players, the rest of the Smurf team, Edward and Jodi and all of his family. everyone screamed Owen-Owen. The Rams threw a couple blocks, some of players theatrically, but otherwise let him go. It had been pre-arranged that Owen would score, no matter the outcome of the game. On the first play of the season, Owen Marsico was a champion.
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