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Oct 4, 2008 11:18 am US/Central
Small Football Team Plays As Hard As The Big Guys
(WCCO)
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McLeod West is living by the old adage that it's not the size of the dog in the fight -- it's the size of the fight in the dog.
CBS
Football is a tough sport, but a Minnesota high school team is bringing new meaning to "iron man" football.
McLeod West is living by the old adage that it's not the size of the dog in the fight -- it's the size of the fight in the dog.
They don't even have 20 players on their team, but none of that matters once they step on the field.
McLeod County is about an hour's drive west of the Twin Cities. It is said that the people here have two passions -- farming and football.
When the Friday night lights come on, the people of Brownton and Stewart come out to cheer on the McLeod West Falcons.
However, McLeod West is no ordinary football team and their coach will be the first to admit it.
"They do play pretty well for little guys," said their coach.
This team knows a thing or two about adversity, with just 19 players on their roster. Most teams they play have 60.
They are also a little undersized too. One of their linebackers weighs 110 pounds, and that's with his helmet on.
They need alumni to help them practice. Yet somehow they have managed to win four of their first five games, and have been ranked as high as sixth in the state.
They credit their success to a lot of heart, a lot of conditioning and a little versatility -- some guys play four different positions.
"Right now I'm at right guard at offense and I'm right defensive end. And I'm the kicker and punter too," said Brennan Schuette, a senior player.
The Falcons are playing this season like it's their last because it just might be.
Declining enrollment and a school that's literally crumbling mean McLeod West may shut down after this year, but the players don't want to think about that and they don't want to make this a David versus Goliath story on the field.
"I don't look at it how big you are, just how hard you work and how much you put into it," said Logan Miller, a freshman player.
The Falcons beat second-ranked Wabasso earlier this year, but on Friday they came up on the short end, losing to New Ulm Cathedral, 28 to 8.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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