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MONTPELIER, Idaho — Seventh grade football seasons don't last very long.
But what one team did this this past season just might last forever.
"We haven't had football here for 13 years in the middle-school level," said David Lindsay. "We were coming into the season kind of being the underdog and the kids had to believe in themselves and also believe in their teammates."
Lindsay probably didn't know what he was getting into when he moved to Montpelier, Idaho, from Texas and took the 7th-grade head football coaching job at Bear Lake Middle School.
"Where I come from, football is huge," said Lindsay.
He started making all his players, and their families, attend team dinners at a different house every week the night before a game. It was one of his first ideas to bring the team together.
Lindsay's ideas on the football field helped the Bear Lake Cubs go undefeated, 7-0, something no one really expected.
"Having only had 6 points scored against them the entire season," said Lindsay.
That alone is worthy of a special spot in the school's trophy case. However, folks in this small town, and especially at the middle school, started noticing something else with all those wins.
"It just brings tears to your eyes," said Debbie Keetch, who is Bear Lake Middle School's athletic director. "I've been teaching in this school district for 27 years. This is the first year that I have seen real respect in our school. It's the first time I've had kids come to my room and say, 'Thank you, Mrs. Keetch.' Or they'll say, 'Yes. ma'am. We'll do that.' I just haven't seen that before in 27 years and for that to happen to me, it just … It lifts me."
Seventh graders aren't typically praised for having respect. Never were. But coach Lindsay figured success is something that should be measured off the field as well.
"They're only going to be football players for a short time in their lives," said Lindsay. "The lessons that are learned off the field, as far as being able to come together and have respect to be able to honor something that's bigger than yourself, that's important."
There may be nothing bigger than the respect shown for the American flag, something that was done before every Bear Lake home game. And if you look closely at the USA flag sticker on the backs of the players' white helmets, you'll notice a name on the flag.
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"Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew Axelson," said running back Matthew Hammond.
"Lt. Commander Erik S. Kristensen," said quarterback Gabriel Hillier.
"Corp. Brian Matthew Kennedy," said lineman Kenny Moore.
Every single helmet had the name of a U.S. military service member killed in action.
"Staff Sgt. Scott Studenmund," said safety Ashton Carlsen.
Lindsay also asked his players to learn about the heroes on their helmets.
"He died going in to rescue other grounded SEALs," said fullback Jaxon Garbett.
Lindsay came up with the idea because he served in the military. Some of those names are names of his friends.
"I wanted these young men to understand that from the very get-go that they have an opportunity to make those names live," said Lindsay.
Sometimes, winning isn't everything.
"If I'm tired, I just think of the helmet, the flag on the back of my helmet and he sacrificed everything so we can play football and so that gives me motivation," said running back Matthew Hammond.
"It brought us closer together because we do everything as a team," said linebacker Brendon Burbank.
The idea has become so popular, high school teams in the district are doing it. This year, the baseball, softball, lacrosse and any other sport with a helmet will have a U.S. flag sticker with a veteran's name on it.
The basketball teams are having the flags and names embroidered onto their equipment bags. Plus, the athletic director has already heard from other schools wanting to adopt the idea.
"It gives me hope for what we can accomplish in the future," said Keetch.
"I hope it spreads throughout the entire nation, to be honest. I hope every school starts doing it," said Hillier.
Seeing so much positive attention is exactly what Lindsay was hoping for.
"Many of these names haven't been spoken by anybody in the public since their funerals," said Lindsay. "American culture is so wound into sports, there's no reason why this idea can't take off on the high school and college levels. Even the professional level. It's just something to honor every member if our military who has paid the ultimate sacrifice." Contributing: Stuart Johnson
