The Football Report

Sioux Falls repeats as champs, wins 25-22 over Lions

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-Sioux Falls repeats as champs. Check the hometown paper> Details

-NAIA banquet salutes teams, colleges and our community: As many as 500 people filled The Forum Friday night to hear from every part of the NAIA Football National Championship. From the presidents of Sioux Falls and Lindenwood to the coaches, athletic directors, NAIA officials and one special player, Greater Rome and its visitors heard nothing but praises for the opponents and the host community.

As president of the host college, Shorter College, Dr. Harold Newman urged the crowd to "enjoy the festivities and a great day of football tomorrow."

NAIA president and CEO Jim Carr talked about how the conference has embraced the "champions of character" motto and how proud he was to have members of both teams flood local schools on Thursday because all the players embraced the concept.

Rome Mayor Wright Bagby presented keys to the city to visiting team representatives. He reminded the audience that even amid a recession, Rome/Floyd County voters in November approved a $42.3 million SPLOST package that will enhance Barron Stadium with artificial turf and other amenities starting next year. "I'm proud of our town," Bagby said.

Emcee Bob Berry, co-chair of the local host committee, kept the podium moving with both proper introductions and a few side jokes. He thanked the committee and the community for their parts in making the second year of hosting the NAIA title game such a success.

A key part of the program was the naming of the Rawlings-NAIA National Player of the game. This year's honor went to someone who happened to be in town this weekend: Sioux Falls' quarterback Lorenzo Brown.

The head coaches and athletic directors paid respect to rivals and also took the time to deliver gifts--both serious and amusing. Included: A cowboy's beginner golf club and a Lindenwood spin on Monopoly.

Capping the evening was a surprise performance by the Georgia Blues Brothers. The band had been scheduled to headline FAN-atic Friday on Town Green but the event was canceled late Thursday because of Friday's forecast rains. The band performed several numbers, usually with audience assistance, including "Shout!"

Sioux Falls players go one-on-one at West End . . . .

... while Lindenwood heard from Pepperell students

Members of the teams meeting Saturday in the NAIA National  Football Championship game spent some time Thursday meeting with area students. The top photo is by Dana Thompson; the lower photo by Aimee H. Madden, both of Shroter Collge. For more photos, please click here.

Jones tells Champions of Character crowd about value of relationships

-Full house at The Forum this morning with at least 500 people attending.

-Both teams, team officials, the local host committee and the business and academic communities are well represented.

-The light moment of the day: Parachuting Chick-Fil-A cows, at least 100 strong (toys, thankfully, and not what we see on TV).

-Keynote speaker is Phil Jones, coach of the Shorter Hawks. He talks about the "ingredients" needed by both teams to play in the NAIA national champion.

-First, says Jones, is relationships. He talks about how businesses and families that are successful have "tremendously strong relationships." He quotes a Christan author who stresses America's success is tied to relationships, especially in times of crisis. Jones asks the audience to think about their own relationships, and how each reacts when a family member or friend is threatened or in need. Talent also blends with relationships, Jones says.

-He talks about the teams practicing later today to reach their goal. Others, he says, will go back to their businesses today and work together to make it a successful day---again in part because of relationships.

-In closing, Jones says, the reason relationships mean so much is because God created us "in such a way" to "understand relationships, be moved by relationships." He says the key link is the one with God's son to have "an eternal relationship." He quotes the Bible verse, John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, he gave his only son." Whomever believes in Jesus, quotes Jones, will "have eternal life."

-Jones thanks the teams for allowing Shorter College and the community of Rome and Floyd County to share in the championship celebration.