Sperry Parents Find Creative Way To Keep Practice Going In The Dark

The fifth and sixth grade Sperry football team practices on a field without lights. The parents came together to help light the field so the kids could get an extra hour of practice.

The lights gave kids the chance to get in a little extra work and have a little more fun.

"I love football,” said Stoan Salyer. “It's my favorite sport in the whole world."

Lighting the field for practice has been a Sperry Football tradition for years and the kids said they are proud to live here.

"Sperry is a loving town, and our football team loves each and every single one of us on the team,” said Brooklyn Boren, who is in the fifth grade.

While getting some extra plays in is important, coaches and players said one of their main goals is to teach the younger players to never give up.

"A little first and second graders were watching, and one of their parents took that picture and captured something special,” said Cody Williams, who coaches the team. “Those little young ones look up to these boys all the time."

"We're role models to the first graders,” said Axel Booth, a fifth grader. “They're looking up to us, about us not giving up."

Parents and grandparents said they were just happy to find a way they could help out.

"We want to support our team, we want to support our coaches, and feel like they are doing a great job,” said Kris Hughes, who has a grandson on the team. “And when the sun goes down, the lights come on!"

The kids are thankful their parents are willing to find creative ways to keep them on the field.

"If it wasn't for my parents, I wouldn't be here,” said Cody Babb, who is in the sixth grade. “I wouldn't be able to play sports. Which is why I really like that the parents support us."