GRAHAMSVILLE, NY — On Saturday, October 20, the local community paid homage to their senior football players during the Tri-Valley Bears home stand against the Blue Devils of Roscoe/Livingston Manor/Downsville.

To the casual observer, it looked like the entire community turned out in force to honor the 14 gridiron seniors: Drew Hartman, Jake Wilsen, Brendan Pavese, Juilus Colon, Brauke Hunt, Antoine Perpignand, Cody Shamro, Joe Schulte, Alex Schultz, Jake Allison, Devin Simon, Imaan Khan, Johnny Spear and Skyler Sutton.

During the traditional award of flowers, the senior-rich squad was joined on the field of play by a seemingly endless number of parents, grandparents and friends to join the annual rite of passage, making it a real community affair.

Five-year old Makayla Frey, who according to her proud mother Heather Frey “is the Bears' number one fan."

After the game, the Bears' littlest and youngest cheerleaders was the center of attention as she mingled with the team towering above her, clutching a precious bouquet of purple flowers and a small balloon in the shape of a stylized hand, emblazoned "You’re #1."

Makayla only missed one game this season for the varsity team, and it was against Pawling, "the only game this season the boys lost," said Heather Frey.

“I think she is their good luck charm.”

See next week's edition for more photos and coverage on the Tri-Valley Bears football team's 72-30 win over Roscoe/Livingston Manor/Downsville on October 20, and their thrilling come-from-behind 16-12 win over Pine Plains on November 3 to take the first-ever Section IX Eight-Man Football Championship.