Copley Builds Character in Firestone Win

The joy was written all over the face of Copley Head Football Coach Ron Viscounte in the post-game huddle after his Indians came from behind to beat a tough Firestone Falcons team, 34-27, Friday night.

“That was an outstanding effort by all of you,” said Viscounte. “The entire team: offense, defense, kicking game, you guys on the sideline getting everybody pumped up.  That was a total team victory.”

Even though the Indians stumbled out of the gate with Firestone scoring two unanswered touchdowns in the first quarter, and taking a 21-10 lead into the locker room at halftime, Viscounte, in a voice hoarse from emotion, told his team after the game that it was their refusal to quit that made the difference.

“You went out there and you persevered through some tough times.  They got after us early.  They knocked us down, but we got up. We kept fighting and we kept believing.  Guys made mistakes out there but came back later in the game and made great plays for us.” 

Junior Will Thomas was knocked down in the first half but refused to give up and ended up as the star of the game. He started by fumbling the opening kickoff that set up the Falcons' first score.  He ended the game  with an 81 yard punt return for a touchdown that put Copley back into the lead, then, put the game away for the Indians by intercepting Firestone quarterback Cameron Sheppard who threw from the Copley 20-yard line.

“I just gave it all I could,” said Thomas.  “I had a couple mistakes in the first quarter and I just kept my head up and just kept playing through.”

Viscounte grabbed Thomas on the sidelines and told him his best effort of the game, however, was the play before the interception when he made a game-saving tackle.

“They got around the corner on us. He was way on the other side of the field and he ran his butt off to go make the tackle.  That is the kind of effort that our entire team gave in the second half.  That is the kind of effort we all gave.  That is the kind of effort we need every play to be champions.”

For the first time in years, Coach Viscounte did not break-up the post-game huddle with his customary cheer.  That honor was given to Thomas, who counted down his helmet-raising teammates, "One, two, three, FAMILY!"

“I have to thank my team,” said Thomas.  “I didn't do it myself.  Without them, I couldn't do anything.”

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