The Brownsville States-Graphic, Thursday, April 22, 2010 —Page 17

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By Calvin CarterStaff Writer

Elizabeth Lovell’s first grade class received a special treat last Friday afternoon in the form of a special pizza party.

The party was a reward for the class selling the most tickets to the previous West Tennessee War Eagles pre-season game in Brownsville near Haywood High School, April 3.

But while students were treated to stacks of Pepperoni and Cheese Pizza, they didn’t have to eat it alone.

Members from the War Eagles football team stopped by to join the first graders.

The team was met with wide-eyed excitement from Lovell’s students who dined, talked, and even, “arm wrestled”

with the players.Every school was allowed the

opportunity to sell tickets, with half of the proceeds going back to the school.

Lovell will also receive season tickets for War Eagles games.

For the team, the contest was more than a thank you. It was also the team’s attempt at keeping a presence in Haywood County.

“I think we’ll always have a presence here in Haywood County, Team Manager Ken Williams said. “If we qualify for the playoffs, we could possibly play here.”

While the status on the playoffs is still a ways from being determined, the Eagles will be going into the regular season—June 5 against the Arkansas Rhinos—with a victory under their belts.

In their preseason game against The Memphis Blasters in Haywood, the Eagles won 28-12.

“They’re looking pretty good,” Coach Trent Boykin said. “We have 60 guys on the roster getting better every week. We’ll continue to improve, hopefully. We’re heading in the right direction.”

While future improvement plans lingered in the head, the focus for Friday was on the students. The War Eagle team found themselves enjoying their young company.

“It’s great,” Boykin said. “I’ve got my own kids, they’re two and four, and I enjoy being around young people.”

“They get to see a different side of the coach and the players, they get to see we were they’re age at one time,” Boykin continued. “We get to give them

some positive role models to look at.”Those words were echoed by the

players as well.“It’s good for the kids for us to take

the time to come out and give back,” player Josh Bramley said. “And I mean the kids are getting a kick out of it.”

Seeing the children excitedly talking and jumping around the players, one couldn’t find themselves disagreeing with Bramley.

Perhaps the most excited person in the cafeteria could have been player Jacoby Bond, who grew up in Haywood County, and even was a former student of Haywood Elementary.

“It feels very good to come back,” Bond said. “I grew up here and I so many memories.”

War Eagles land at Haywood ElementaryTreat First Grade class to Pizza

War Eagles Josh Bramley and Jacoby Bond

War Eagles Team Ken Williams lets one of Lovell’s students hold the Number Four Jersey.

Students were excited to eat with the War Eagles.

Members of the War Eagles take a picture with Elizabeth Lovell’s First Grade Class.

Player Stacy McGee gives a few of the student some high fives.

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