Sports: Sikes Middle School, 1987, Winn Parish, LA. Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** From: September 14, 1987 Winn Parish Enterprise News-American Sikes Kicks Off Football Just a few weeks ago, their practice field was covered with the Wolf Creek Arts and Crafts Festival but that didn't seem to bother the Sikes Middle School football players...they appear to be willing to take whatever they can get. Mostly, what they've gotten so far is a $ 3,000 grant from the Winn Parish School Board, an acceptance from Coach John Grider to take on the additional responsibility, and a five game road trip schedule. Grider, in his second year at Sikes, explained that, although he is primarily a basketball coach, he wanted to see the Sikes sixth through eighth grade have the opportunity to play football if they wanted it. "I received a very positive response from the boys," Coach Grider pointed out, "and no real trouble from any of the parents." Grider is dressing out 19 middle schoolers, in addition to training a manager and a water boy. He also receives coaching assistance from Winnfield high schooler Butch Compton, a Sikes student transferred to WSHS when the school closed last year. "Our goal is to basically teach the fundamentals," the coach explained of Sikes' role as another feeder program into the Winnfield Senior High School football program. "This way they'll have a chance to play at the high school level if they choose...and I think we'll have a couple that will do well there." Grider's three main objectives are blocking assignments, pass routes, and team work, and, if looking is any indication, they are doing well. Sikes traveled to LaSalle two weeks ago, dropping their program opener 24-14. "They scored late on us," Grider explained. "In addition, most schools we play will be 7th and 8th grade while we're including 6th grade, too." Last week's contest sent the player's spirits soaring as they skunked a surprised Montgomery squad, 20-0. Grider pointed out that a strong defensive effort really made the difference. Starting the scoring for the Eagles in their first win was Lee Beavers on a 35 yard pass from quarterback Mark Wilkerson, followed by a Wilkerson interception that turned into a 50 yard TD run. Beavers capped this with a successful 2 point conversion attempt to put Sikes up 14-0. Finally, halfback Tim Canady found running room and scored on a 40 yard scramble. The Sikes squad has two more games on tap including a trip to Monterrey on Monday, October 19 and back to Montgomery on Thursday, October 29. Is it lonely for the young, small team on the road? No, Coach Grider stressed. "You'd be surprised at the support this team has drummed up. We've been having about 75 people, parents and relatives, follow us to the games." Maybe it's a shot in the dark or maybe it's here to stay...whatever the case, the young Eagles are fired up at a chance to put on pads, helmets, and matching jerseys as they return sports notoriety to the northeast corner of Winn Parish.