 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Peabody Patriots flag football team is Florida bound
For the third straight year, the Peabody Youth Flag Football League is sending a girls
all-star team to the nationals at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex in Florida.
The Peaboby team will compete in the NFL Tournament of Champions this weekend. This
year, the girls are more prepared than ever.
For the past eight weeks, they have been raising money to buy matching sweatsuits. One of
the league sponsors, Chick-Fil-A, stepped in to help out. The 12-14-year-old all-stars gave
away free Chick-Fil-A sandwiches to anyone making a donation for the trip last weekend.
That venture netted an additional $400, with the money going for uniforms and passes to
Disney.
"I think we have a good chance because we had spent more time practicing," said Erika
Weiser, who is the team's rusher on defense and calls all the plays. She is a freshman at
Peabody High and also plays softball. "This is my third year going, and we look good. We
hope to win a couple of games.
"The first time we went down there we didn't win a game, but did have one win last year.
We're getting better, and we play hard. We will look like a real team this year with matching
uniforms like we saw a lot of the other teams wearing. It's always a great trip. They have a
banquet for us the first night, and we get to meet all the players from the other teams."
Weiser and Michaela Merchant will be interviewed by The NFL Network while in Florida. It is
Merchant's second year making the trip. She is a freshman at Peabody High and plays
soccer, basketball and softball.
"This time we will have an entire day to spend at Disney," said Merchant, who is also a
defensive player. "The games start early on Saturday morning and run all day.
"Erika and I ref games for the younger girls, and we would spend all day at the refreshment
stand at Emerson Park selling candy for the trip. The Chick-Fil-A's were a big hit because
they are really good.
"Coach (Austin) Bradshaw got us some really nice New England Patriot shirts with our
names embroidered on them," added Merchant. "We're all looking forward to a fun trip."
Bound for Florida
Who: The Peabody Patriots All-star Flag Football team
What: The NFL Youth Flag Football Tournament of Champions
When: Saturday at The Disney World Complex in Orlando
Team players: Erika Weiser, Michaela Merchant, Deanna Moreschi, Kayla Jackson, Kali
Sullivan, Mary-Catherine Dunne, Tanya Williams and Catarina Rocha.
By Jean DePlacido
Salem News Correspondent
For the third straight year, the Peabody Youth Flag Football League is sending a girls
all-star team to the nationals at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex in Florida.
The Peaboby team will compete in the NFL Tournament of Champions this weekend. This
year, the girls are more prepared than ever.
For the past eight weeks, they have been raising money to buy matching sweatsuits. One of
the league sponsors, Chick-Fil-A, stepped in to help out. The 12-14-year-old all-stars gave
away free Chick-Fil-A sandwiches to anyone making a donation for the trip last weekend.
That venture netted an additional $400, with the money going for uniforms and passes to
Disney.
"I think we have a good chance because we had spent more time practicing," said Erika
Weiser, who is the team's rusher on defense and calls all the plays. She is a freshman at
Peabody High and also plays softball. "This is my third year going, and we look good. We
hope to win a couple of games.
"The first time we went down there we didn't win a game, but did have one win last year.
We're getting better, and we play hard. We will look like a real team this year with matching
uniforms like we saw a lot of the other teams wearing. It's always a great trip. They have a
banquet for us the first night, and we get to meet all the players from the other teams."
Weiser and Michaela Merchant will be interviewed by The NFL Network while in Florida. It is
Merchant's second year making the trip. She is a freshman at Peabody High and plays
soccer, basketball and softball.
"This time we will have an entire day to spend at Disney," said Merchant, who is also a
defensive player. "The games start early on Saturday morning and run all day.
"Erika and I ref games for the younger girls, and we would spend all day at the refreshment
stand at Emerson Park selling candy for the trip. The Chick-Fil-A's were a big hit because
they are really good.
"Coach (Austin) Bradshaw got us some really nice New England Patriot shirts with our
names embroidered on them," added Merchant. "We're all looking forward to a fun trip."
Bound for Florida
Who: The Peabody Patriots All-star Flag Football team
What: The NFL Youth Flag Football Tournament of Champions
When: Saturday at The Disney World Complex in Orlando
Team players: Erika Weiser, Michaela Merchant, Deanna Moreschi, Kayla Jackson, Kali
Sullivan, Mary-Catherine Dunne, Tanya Williams and Catarina Rocha.
By Jean DePlacido
Salem News Correspondent
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
