Outstanding display of sportsmanship by Leonardtown, Great Mills teams

Friday, Oct. 12, 2007

It happened after the Leonardtown-Great Mills High School football game.

Let me preface my comments by stating that there is an intense rivalry between these two schools. They are considered archrivals of each other. In recent years, there have been confrontations between fans of both teams, resulting in a heavy police presence at events. Both teams have been separated from each other as they left the field to reduce the risk of heated exchanges or worse.

On this particular Friday night, Leonardtown was the visiting team. Both teams were well represented by their fans, and each team was looking for their first win of the season.

During the game, the Great Mills quarterback was injured and taken to the hospital. In the end, Leonardtown was the victor. Both teams shook hands and retreated to opposite ends of the field.

What happened next is something I will remember for a long time.

The coaches from each team talked to their players, and the Great Mills coaches and players slowly made their way across the field to the Leonardtown players. Instead of the usual taunting, they reached out their hands in congratulations to the Leonardtown players. Players and coaches were patting each other on the back. The respect each had for the other was very evident. The teams then formed a combined circle and prayed for the young man who was injured during the game.

The two teams then left the field together, and the fans that remained by the gate cheered both teams as they came through.

What an outstanding display of sportsmanship by Great Mills coach Bill Griffith and Leonardtown coach Anthony Pratley and their players.

Troy Riggs, California