Miss-Delectable
New Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2004
- Messages
- 17,160
- Reaction score
- 7
Indiana Deaf fights for recognition | IndyStar.com
Indiana Deaf has equaled its school record for football victories -- eight, set in 1944 -- but that hasn't been enough in the minds of coach Michael Paulone and his players.
"It frustrates us that countless people out there still toss us aside because we are deaf or because they think we can't compete," Paulone said in an e-mail. "Even with our competitive team this year, people still do that. We have beaten teams this year that pretty much thrashed us in years past."
Indiana Deaf, the smallest school in the state that plays football, gets another chance to demonstrate its abilities when it hosts Lutheran in the sectional semifinals at 7 p.m. Friday. Lutheran beat Indiana Deaf in Week 2, 14-0, in a game that was suspended at the half due to lightning and couldn't be played to completion.
The Deaf Hoosiers haven't lost since.
They've had one of the state's best offenses, averaging 42.5 points (ninth in the state), and its defense has improved throughout the season. It has allowed only 9.5 points per game over the past seven weeks led by defensive end Jarvis Beaver (66 tackles, 6 sacks), safety Tony Dall (78 tackles, 3 interceptions) and linebacker Mark Alcozer (66 tackles, 8 sacks).
"Our loss to Lutheran is considered unfinished business," Paulone said. "It's been an honor to get to the point where we're making school history. The boys are getting a sense that working hard pays off. We truly believe we can play with any team in the state.
"However, our ride is far from over," he continued. "We have one goal: Getting to the Dome."
Indiana Deaf has equaled its school record for football victories -- eight, set in 1944 -- but that hasn't been enough in the minds of coach Michael Paulone and his players.
"It frustrates us that countless people out there still toss us aside because we are deaf or because they think we can't compete," Paulone said in an e-mail. "Even with our competitive team this year, people still do that. We have beaten teams this year that pretty much thrashed us in years past."
Indiana Deaf, the smallest school in the state that plays football, gets another chance to demonstrate its abilities when it hosts Lutheran in the sectional semifinals at 7 p.m. Friday. Lutheran beat Indiana Deaf in Week 2, 14-0, in a game that was suspended at the half due to lightning and couldn't be played to completion.
The Deaf Hoosiers haven't lost since.
They've had one of the state's best offenses, averaging 42.5 points (ninth in the state), and its defense has improved throughout the season. It has allowed only 9.5 points per game over the past seven weeks led by defensive end Jarvis Beaver (66 tackles, 6 sacks), safety Tony Dall (78 tackles, 3 interceptions) and linebacker Mark Alcozer (66 tackles, 8 sacks).
"Our loss to Lutheran is considered unfinished business," Paulone said. "It's been an honor to get to the point where we're making school history. The boys are getting a sense that working hard pays off. We truly believe we can play with any team in the state.
"However, our ride is far from over," he continued. "We have one goal: Getting to the Dome."