Thank you! Simple words but with much meaning from a number of Salisbury High School Varsity Football players who told The Press how grateful they were by the impressive turnout for the 2022 Salisbury Football Golf Classic at Wedgewood Golf Course Aug. 13. As Jacob Bucchin, a wide receiver on the team pointed out, “saying thank you is important because all these people are helping us a lot. We can get new equipment, as well as play our games knowing we have all this support.”

According to Andrew Cerco, who coaches the team, all 80 golfing spots were filled. “This is great support from the community” Cerco told The Press. He also pointed out nearly 30 sponsors from across Salisbury and the Lehigh Valley helped make this year’s golfing event a success for this team of 42 young players.

Among those sponsoring the event was Archery@TheGlenn. SHS football holds special memories for this family-owned business. John Glenn’s grandson Alex is not only an alumni from the SHS Class of 2018 but he is also one of Cerco’s former players.

Shortly after graduating from SHS, the younger Glenn went off to join the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Campbell, 101 Airborne Division. He has since left the Army and is about to embark on a new path, starting his studies at West Chester University. He made a point of coming to the golf fundraiser to meet this year’s players. His best advice to the young players? “Whatever it is you want to do, stick to it. [It] may not be easy but stick with your goal and you will eventually achieve it” he told The Press.

“We have 12 new players this year and we’ve been practicing and bonding as a team” pointed out Nicholas Beck, a senior who is a quarterback on the team. One of those new players is freshman Jacob Watson, who will be starting his SHS football path as a fullback. Watson is excited for this new season, mainly because he feels this team is truly bonding and they know the community is there to cheer them on.

Community and family support is key for any young sports player. Many families volunteered their time to help ensure things ran smoothly at this golfing event. Among those helping were Sue and Paul Spanm. They are proud football parents and have been helping out the team for years. Their son Paul, who graduated this past June, was on the team, and their son George is a current player. “This is a family and it’s important to show support for the team, as well as the football booster club,” Paul Spanm explained.

This team is getting ready for their season and as Fernando Trinidad, president of the football booster club pointed out, “Today has seen an amazing turnout. Everyone is excited about the start of the new season.”

Gavin Cerco, another quarterback on the team, said “Today shows the important relationship between the football team and the community.” His teammate Ivan Cisneros made the point, “There are great people out there supporting us. We are thankful for that.”

The team’s first home game is scheduled Aug. 26 at the SHS stadium. Salisbury will play against Panther Valley. The players are clearly hoping for a great turnout from the Falcon family to help get this season off to a strong start.