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Health & Fitness

Orland Hills Wolves Close Regular Season Home Games Sweeping Joliet Raiders

Graduating Eighth Grade Cheers & Players Honored

ORLAND HILLS, IL – The Orland Hills Wolves closed their 2013 regular season home games on Saturday, October 5 with a sweep of the Joliet Raiders despite a number of rain delays.

The Wolves Superlights won their last regular season home game, defeating Joliet 26 to 6. The Wolves Lights Team won seven to zero and the Junior Varsity team won 27 to 0. The Wolves Varsity Team marked their final home game with a victory, 24 to 12. Playoff games begin within the next week.

“Having all four teams win their last regular season home games was a great way to close our season at Kelly,” said Football Athletic Director Jim Poynton, head coach of the Wolves Junior Varsity Team. “It was rainy and muddy but all of our guys got the job done,” he said.

The parents of Varsity eighth grade cheerleaders and players were called to the sideline to see their graduating wolves gather in the end zone.

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“We wanted to do something special for the kids who are moving onto high school at the end of this year,” said Wolves Board President Rick Iannantone, head coach of the Wolves Varsity Football Team. “And, we wanted to recognize the parents for their years of bringing kids to practices and games, volunteering and being a part of the Wolves family.”

The crowd grew silent as the public address announcer invited the eighth graders to gather in the end zone. “Whether you’ve been a wolf for one year or eight years, you will always be a wolf,” the announcer said.

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The 15 Varsity Wolves Cheerleaders locked arms as they walked to the 50 yard line with the row of arms locked 18 eighth grade football players following close behind. All of the eighth graders gathered mid-field for the pre-game coin toss.

“After the coin toss, each of the graduating eighth graders was introduced and ran a rose to his or her parents,” said Iannantone. “It was a nice way to start their last game at Kelly Park --- something they will always remember from their years with the Wolves,” he added.

The Orland Hills Wolves is part of the River Valley Football League and offers cheerleading and football for area youth in first through eighth grades. The organization includes more than 250 area youngsters from Orland Hills, Tinley Park, Orland Park, Oak Forest, Homer and other towns. Additional information can be found at www.ohwolves.com.

 

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