Henderson Cowboys win youth league’s Midget Division title

By Sean Ammerman

Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008 | 5:09 p.m.

From the first week of practice in the 100 degree weather in July, coach Jeromy Oblad knew his Henderson Cowboys 10-and-under football team was special.

Even a windy championship game, which slowed down the usually potent offense, could not derail the team’s 14-0 record this season.

The Cowboys defeated the North Las Vegas Steelers 19-0 to claim the Nevada Youth Sports fall title in the Midgets Division.

“I knew they were going to be good, but I didn’t think they would be that good,” Oblad said. “We probably could have waited until August to start practice.”

The most impressive statistic for the Cowboys, a club program run by Oblad for seven seasons, was its ability to outscore its opponents 511-6, according to the coach.

In addition to winning the 10-team division, the Cowboys won the National Youth Football Thanksgiving Championship, featuring teams across the western United States.

The Cowboys won by scores of 59-0 and 46-0 to win the tournament.

“I think our team was very hard working and fundamentally sound,” Oblad said. “We have been together for a long time, so I don’t have to waste time teach them the basics.”

The Cowboys, which emphasized passing, were led by quarterback Keaton Torre, 10. Oblad estimated Keaton averaged 100 to 200 passing yards a game.

Behind him was running back Ethan Dedeaux, 9, who was runner-up in the midgets division’s MVP voting.

“He is the fastest 9-year-old in the valley,” Oblad said. “That is why he is so good. No one can catch him.”

Defensively, the Cowboys only allowed one touchdown this year as linebacker Jake Waldron led the way with 15 tackles per game, the coach said.

“Our defense was what kept us alive,” Oblad said. “We gave up two first downs the whole game.”

Sean Ammerman can be reached at 990-2661 or [email protected].