Ravens Say Nevermore to 14's Field, Win Region Title

Once upon a midnight dreary, a group of young 10-11 year olds began a journey four years ago that ended April 30, 2005 with the Arrowhead Ravens topping the Foothlills 14-1 team to win the 14AA Region title.

Coach Deb Martin, who started with the core of this group when they were 10 and 11 years old in 2001, credited the atmosphere of this team.

"We're a family." Martin praises. "They just melded together. Everybody trusts each other, everybody does their job. I've got good parents, I've got good kids. It's a good combination."

A combination that was good enough to go 46-2 on the season, which included a tournament win at the Cactus Classic to start the season, and a runner up finish in the Southern California Qualifier 14 Club division. Their only other loss was to the Foothills team they beat in the finals earlier in the season.

The victory that capped their remarkable season is bittersweet for Martin, as she is saying nevermore to the Ravens once her team finishes their summer tournament. "I'm going to let them go." She says with a crooked smile. "It's going to be hard, but it's kind of like coaching high school. Four years with them it's time to let them go to college. Four years of college and it's time to let them go on. I think four years is about the max you should be with a group." Martin will continue to coach 14's again next season.