Spirits Rally for Junior Knights

Bobby Collins, head coach of the Junior Knights, says that after the challenges of this season, this team deserves to win the Super Bowl on Sunday. "This year is our year," he said.

And that certainly was the theme throughout the evening on Friday. With the New Milford Fire Dept. manning the flames of the bonfire, and music from a D.J. blaring, the enthusiastic crowd cheered on a team whose season included Hurricane Irene, Tropical Storm Lee, and an October snowstorm. It seems that Mother Nature might be the Junior Knights' most formidable opponent. 

Since the start of the season, the Junior Knights have been able to play only two home games and have had to practice wherever they could get space, whether it was the Little League field, high school field or the gym. As one mother put it, "This team has had to rely on the kindness of strangers."

Despite those odds, the Junior Knights are 10-0 as they go into Sunday's Super Bowl against Saddle Brook, which has an 8-2 record. 

With 38 players on the team, including Danielle Prisendorf who plays defensive and tight end, Collins tries to schedule two games per week so that every member of the team gets an opportunity to play. 

Although other Junior Knights teams have come close, none have made it to the Super Bowl. Until now. 

The Junior Knights will be facing off against Saddle Brook at Wood-Ridge High School, located at 258 Hackensack Street, Wood-Ridge. Game starts at 12:15 p.m.