Peewees move to playoffs at 8-0

Rector will welcome hundreds of visitors this weekend as the city hosts the peewee football district playoffs Saturday. According to coaches and local supporters, this is only the second time a Rector team has advanced to the peewee football postseason and the first time the city has been chosen to host the event.

The series will feature six games, including two fifth grade contests and four sixth grade matchups. Thanks to an 8-0 regular season record, the sixth grade Cougars have earned a number one ranking in the north division and will face Cross County, the fourth seed from the south, at 12:30 p.m.

Other teams in the north division, in order of ranking, are Gosnell, East Poinsett County and Hoxie. Earle sits atop the southern division in seeding, followed by McCrory, Wynne and Cross County.

The day also will include two fifth grade games, but those teams had not yet been determined as of press time due to a three-way tie between EPC, Gosnell and Marked Tree.

The schedule for Saturday is:

9:30 a.m. -- Harrisburg vs. EPC/Gosnell/Marked Tree, fifth grade.

10:30 a.m. -- McCrory vs. EPC/Gosnell/Marked Tree, fifth grade.

12:30 p.m. -- Rector vs. Cross County, sixth grade.

2 p.m. -- McCrory vs. EPC, sixth grade.

3:30 p.m. -- Earle vs. Hoxie, sixth grade.

5 p.m. -- Gosnell vs. Wynne, sixth grade.

Admission for the playoffs will be $3 for adults and $2 for children.

The event promises to be an exciting attraction, bringing in scores of visitors from the represented towns, as well as football fans from the surrounding area.

"I think it's going to be huge," said Rector head coach Kirk Ford. "With 12 different teams playing here, I think it's going to be bigger than any youth tournament we've put on."

The situation is made even more exciting for the young Cougars, coaches Ford, Gary Loveless, Shawn Bucy and Anthony Buck and their families due to Rector's inclusion with teams and programs with rich football traditions.

"The kids are tickled to death to be in the playoffs," Ford said. "We're all excited about it. For us to be able to compete in this league and have the type of season we've had, it's a big deal."

The peewee players were cheered along by their classmates Friday in a special pep rally held at the elementary multi-purpose room.

"I think that was a really good thing for the kids," Ford said. "It was a nice reward for all their hard work."

Working hard has been a hallmark of the program.

"These kids have put in the time and worked hard to get where they are," Ford said. "We work hard in practice and it's paying off."

The hard work and success in the regular season have led to Rector being one of the favorites on Saturday.

"I honestly think we're the team to beat," Ford said. "I think everyone thinks that, too. Our kids are playing well and they're confident."

The coaches and players encourage the entire community to come out to Temerian Field Saturday to show their support and enjoy a day of football.