To view Challenger football photos, visit the photo gallery at the following link: http://photos.suburbanonesports.com/
LANGHORNE – Matt Young doesn’t need to think long when asked what he enjoys most about his involvement in Neshaminy’s Challenger football program.Without a moment’s hesitation, he drapes his arm around his buddy – Harry S. Truman senior Michael Connolly – and said, “He’s cool.”
Not far away, a smile lights up the face of David Schilling Jr. as his field goal – with just a slight assist – finds its way through the uprights.
Another group of athletes is going through the paces of a passing drill under the watchful eye of first-year coach Patrick Keenan, himself a participant in the Bucks County Challenger football program for two years.
It’s just another typical fall Sunday morning in late November for a group of special needs athletes and their buddies – football players from Neshaminy Truman and Pennsbury.
Not to be forgotten are the young girls who are practicing cheers under the guidance of Pennsbury cheerleader Taylor Spong, who became involved when the need arose for someone to work with the cheerleaders.
"I just learned more about them, and we just bonded,” she said. “It’s fun.”
There’s no mistaking the enjoyment the athletes are receiving as they go through a series of drills before their final game of the season, and there’s also no mistaking the love that exists between the participants and their buddies.
“Two years ago we started with 25 kids, and the word got out,” said Joan Wargo, who along with her husband Bob coordinates the program. “Now we have 65 kids. We’ll never turn anyone away.
“It’s an eye opener what high school kids can do. People think of teenagers and what they do wrong. They need to come here on Sundays and see what they do. It’s been amazing.”
For the past three years, senior Ariel Hoffman has spent his Friday nights playing football for a Neshaminy squad that lived in the spotlight.
Every Sunday morning during the fall he returned to Heartbreak Ridge. Absent were the packed stands and bright lights, but present was his ‘buddy’ and now close friend, Sean Hesser.“It’s amazing doing this,” Hoffman said. “I look forward every Sunday to coming here and spending time with Sean. He’s a great kid.
“His excitement every week makes me excited. He’s always ready to play, always wants to do more. I love being around him.”
The enthusiasm surrounding game day on this – the final Sunday of the fall program – is unmistakable, and for parents and athletes alike, it feels a bit like the Super Bowl.
“The kids are able to go out and have a good time, and they’re part of it,” said Penni Kiefer, whose son Joseph Simoneau is an eager participant. “Too many times they are segregated because of their disabilities.
“This is one place where they can feel just as much a part of the game as any other kid. I honestly wasn’t sure about this at first, but he’s having a ball with it.”
Dave and Annette Young – parents of Matt Young – echoed similar sentiments.“Matt’s a big sports fan morning, noon and night, and just the ability to participate in sports instead of watching from the sidelines and to be able to become friends with Mike, who’s a football player, has been so important,” Dave said. “They e-mail each other, they play video games together.
“During the week, he’ll talk about looking forward to seeing Mike and the football game this week as well as wearing a uniform with his number on it.”
“Matt gets excited that he’s accomplished something that he wouldn’t have an opportunity to accomplish if it weren’t for this,” Annette added. “And it’s not just football. Michael comes to the house.”
For Connolly, the nephew of the Wargos, what began as a graduation project last year has grown into something he genuinely enjoys. Several of his Truman teammates joined him each Sunday as well.
“It’s actually fun,” he said. “I enjoy spending time with Matt. You go (through) football all week, and you just come here and hang out and don’t worry about anything. 
“We hang out all the time. I was at his house the other day – we played Madden (Football) and watched the game. He’s a big New York fan, and I’m an Eagles fan.”
Pennsbury’s Davonte Washington got involved because the younger brother of his close friend Tyler Roethlein – David Schilling Jr. - was participating in the program.
“I came to support the family,” Washington said. “It’s fun.
“I like making kids feel special about themselves. I know they can’t do the things they want to do, and they love this sport. I know they would die to be on the field.”
Schilling, who has cerebral palsy, is on the sidelines of every Pennsbury game wearing a team jersey, and his father admits that being part of the Challenger program has been an extraordinary experience.
“It’s all about community,” Dave Schilling said. “That’s the main theory behind this. “Once we got involved, it just opened me up. You couldn’t ask for a better place to come to. My heart is devoted to this.”
Schilling is hardly alone in his devotion. Hoffman says he became involved when he was a sophomore because he wanted to give back to the community. He got more than he bargained for along the way.
“Coming here really changed my views on a lot of things,” the Neshaminy senior said. “Understanding everything they have to go through and realizing they live life to the fullest – Sean doesn’t let anything bother him. He always looks at the bright side of things, and he always wants to do a great job out here on the football field.
“He’s always ecstatic to play.”
Keenan – who came on board two years ago at the age of 20 – enjoyed his playing days but decided it was time to assume a new role.
“I decided to give back to the little kids and coach,” he said. “I enjoy it very much – just helping out and making sure the kids have their fun.
“I’m looking forward to coaching again next year.”
Keenan’s best experience this fall was when he had the opportunity to officiate and wear a ref’s uniform.
“I enjoyed it,” he said.
Bensalem baseball coach Rick Lee has been involved from the outset as well.
“It’s great to think that the kids are all giving time to their buddies,” he said. “They’re putting in how many hours during the week in football practice, plus school and then playing Friday nights.
“Sunday is probably the only day they don’t have to do anything, and yet we get 30 of them out here every Sunday from the middle of September until the end of November.”
And no one, it seems, wants to see it end.Hoffman has already made a commitment to stay in touch with Hesser when he leaves for college next fall.
“I have his number, I have his e-mail,” Hoffman said. “We’re going to hang out when I get home from college. I’m really disappointed that I won’t be able to come here every Sunday, but I’m going to come every chance I get.
“It’s a great feeling, and I love doing this. I never get bored, especially with Sean – there’s never a dull moment. I definitely want to continue this later on in my life – helping kids.”
Being part of the Challenger program a life-changing experience. Hoffman is one of many who can vouch for that.
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