The NFL had the Super Bowl in February, but we have Super Bowl champions right here in Willowsford! The Aim High 2nd and 3rd grade Bills are coached by Coach Brandon Banas and Coach Brian Bobby and have been together since the spring of 2023. The boys on the team mainly live in the Grove and the Greens and are the only all 2nd grade team in the league, but despite being the youngest they still won the Super Bowl in the fall of 2023! I will let you know though, that it was far from an easy win! The game went in to not one, not two, not three, but FOUR overtimes, and in the end, was finally decided on which team got the most yards!

After the game, I was able to interview the coaches in the locker room:

Coach Banas: I really love the game of football and it’s played a big part in my life, in which I learned a lot of extremely valuable life lessons playing it. I’m very fortunate enough to have two sons (Blake and Brody) who enjoy the sport as much as I do and saw the opportunity to share my passion for the game with them, as well as with a really special group of kids.

Coach Bobby: my oldest son, Brayden (7) asked to get involved with flag football in the fall of 2022. Shant Tossounian (Grant resident) and I coached in the fall of 2022 in the NFL Loudoun League. A lot of the boys that played in the NFL Loudoun League wanted to play together and we needed to play in a flag football organization (AIM High) based out of  Centerville. Brandon Banas and I began our team in the spring of the 2023 season.

Coach Bobby: I wanted to instill a love for the game of football all while making sure the boys had a fun experience and learned the fundamentals of the game. 

Coach Banas: My goal is to try to teach the following “player traits” in hopes they not only apply them in football, but in everyday life. I have this at the top of my practice plans: Hustle/Maximum effort, Respect/Focus, Eager to Learn and Grow, Leadership and Teamwork. 

Coach Banas: I was extremely proud of our kids as they faced a lot of ups and downs during the game, but they never quit and played their hearts out! There is nothing more I can ever ask for as a coach! 

Coach Bobby: It was quite an accomplishment for the team to play and never give up. The Bills were trailing 12-6 with 50 seconds to go, tied the score, and won in 4 overtimes! It was a feeling I will always remember of excitement for the boys! 

Coach Bobby: Each practice Coach Brandon and I always take the first few minutes to discuss the importance of winning and losing as a team and always staying humble in all situations.

Coach Banas: We try to instill/teach in them that football is a team sport and it’s not all about individual accomplishments. When one person scores, we all score! I teach them to let their actions do all the talking, and to leave it all on the field no matter who we face! 

At present most of the Bills are on an indoor winter flag football team called the Golden Goats (head coached by Greens resident Danny Vagnerini). They are currently undefeated and expect to win their league! Stay tuned for the spring season – these players and their coaches are hoping to have a ring for each hand!