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Stadium games are highlight for any player
MATT KRUEGER Sports Reporter
For all of the young men preparing to take the field at Ralph Wilson Stadium this week, the Section

VI finals are a rare happening, something to remember for the rest of their lives.

Unless, of course, you play for Orchard Park or Maple Grove. The Quakers and Red Dragons seemingly play at The Ralph every year.

There isn't a player in Western New York who doesn't strap on his pads for the first time in August thinking to himself "I hope we make it to the stadium." And why shouldn't they? Ralph Wilson Stadium is the reward for months of hard work, talent and desire. Few players get to see what the stadium looks like from the field. And it's something they'll never forget. But don't take my word for it. Listen to how the players and coaches responded to walking out on the field for media day Tuesday.

"There's nothing like it," said Iroquois' Tom Lewis, who played with the Chiefs during their last visit two years ago. "When you walk out of the tunnel, it makes you think you're in the pros or something. It makes you feel like you're a big shot."

"When you first walk into the stadium, look up and realize pro players play here, you're just in awe of the hugeness of everything," said Orchard Park's Mike Leavell, who helped the Quakers win the Class AA title last year. "When you look up into the stands at all your fans cheering for you, there's nothing better."

But this isn't just an honor for the players. The coaches get just as much of a kick out of it. Walking across the field makes them feel like they're back in high school.

"This is the end of the line for Section VI," said Clarence coach Tom Goddard, who is making his first return to The Ralph since 1999. "To get to Ralph Wilson Stadium is great. That's what you shoot for. From there, anything can happen."

These games are bigger than anything the players have faced before. For those athletes making their first trip to the stadium, they have no idea what to expect. And the wow factor is inescapable.

"This is incredible," said Maryvale's Jeremy Mountain, who looks to lead the Flyers to their first win at the stadium since 1985. "We've been playing hard all year and I think now we finally believe that we made it. The time has come to play at Ralph Wilson Stadium. We've been talking about this since we were eighth graders. This is awesome."

Even the kids making a return appearance at The Ralph have to deal with the magnitude of playing the sectional finals. Playoff games are always more up-tempo, because it's win or go home. But playing on a professional field in front of the largest crowd of the season changes things up just a tad.

"It was very intense, even though I didn't even play that much," Sweet Home's Ian Goree said of the Panthers win at The Ralph last year. "I played kickoffs, but that was it. I'm looking forward to coming back this year."

Playing on the turf field at The Ralph is another gift the players won't take lightly. After playing through knee-high mud for the past couple weeks, missing games due to the surprise October snowstorm, and dealing with the rain every weekend of the season, the dry turf and lack of mud anywhere near the field will be a welcome sight.

e-mail: mkrueger@beenews.com