Plainfield Saints Head To National Championship, Honor No. 1 Fan

PLAINFIELD, IL — After winning their regional championships on Nov. 23, two Plainfield Saints youth football teams are in Florida this week, competing at the Pop Warner National Championships. On its way to earn a spot in the nationals, one team paid tribute to its No. 1 fan in an emotional moment that mom Michelle Hill said brought her to tears.

The team spent Thanksgiving day weighing in for the Nov. 23 Mid-America Regional Championship in Michigan City, Indiana, Hill said.

Despite missing out on turkey and stuffing, "We made the best of it," said coach Hiram Grigsby Jr.

According to Hill, the team enjoyed a pizza dinner on Thanksgiving before taking the field Friday.

There to cheer on her big brother Lucas, 13, and his teammates was little sister Allison.

"She is Lucas' biggest fan," said Hill, adding that 5-year-old Allison has Down syndrome. "Every single game, she's standing there yelling for him." Hill said little brother Naethan, 9, also supported the Saints.

Allison's support didn't go unnoticed by other Saints fans, and after the team's big win on Nov. 23, Grigsby said he found himself with an extra championship medal.

After the win, Grigsby told Lucas to go get his sister. The teen assumed it was simply for a team photo — but instead, Grigsby presented Allison with her very own medal.

"I started crying," Hill said. "People in the crowd were crying."

The win itself was emotional for the pee wee team, which went undefeated this season.

"The win was really big for them," Hill said. "Everyone's like a family."

"This is the best team I've ever coached," said Grisby, adding that most of the team has played together for the last three seasons.

The pee wee team faces off against Florida's Oviedo Lions on Monday before taking on Spokane Valley, Washington's "G-Men" on Thursday.

"I think we're ready," Grigsby told Patch on Friday. "Win or lose, we don't give up. I think we'll compete with anyone."

The Plainfield Saints' junior pee wee black team also plays Monday and Thursday in Orlando.

Photo via Hiram Grigsby Junior