By Darrel Wheeler
As the youth football world turns, the Valencia Park Hornets are under major reconstruction trying to revive Hornet Nation and bring them back to prominence. The Hornets have only two teams this year: an 11-and-under and 12-and-under team. As a result of their lack of numbers, they haven’t produced many victories.
Field equipment operator Dwayne Harvey had this to say about VP’s current situations, “I think we will be ok. It takes some time to get to where we want to be, but I do believe we can do it. Getting the board members and the coaches to be of the same mind set and have the same agenda for the kids, that will change things a lot, and I can see that happening. We have enough kids in our community to have the numbers we need, but they leave to go play for other associations and that’s a problem we have to address.”
He continued: “Collectively, as a community we can definitely bring about some positive changes and keep our kids here. We want to build a structure around teaching the game, how to play and not sacrifice integrity and sportsmanship just to win games. Don’t get me wrong, we want to win but not by any means necessary.”
The Hornets are not totally without some talented and dedicated players. Antonio Brown, Steven Moore Jr, Luke Wallace, Ty’jean Wayne, Gionne Torres, Jaydon Turman, Julian Ju-Ju Smith, Blue Johnson, Obadiah Groenendal, Pablo Tovar, Danial Lomeli, and Anthony Lopez are some of the Hornets players that like to flash their skills on the field.
“If we could win more games, I think people will want to come and play here,” said Hornet Baller Ty’Jean Wayne. “I came here because I wanted to play for VP and be a leader and when I go to High School. I want to play for Lincoln,” he said.
It is a very hard challenge trying to resurrect a youth football association in this era of Q-Bowl chasers, all-star travel teams, and lack of neighborhood commitment.
However some people love a good challenge and the VP administrators seem ready for the challenges ahead. Are the powers that be at VP ready to handle the changing times and responsibilities? Only time will tell.
Good luck, Go Hornets!!
