The Lights are Bright off Broadway

MERRILLVILLE — This nation — and, sadly, this world — seems so divided. It is consumed by anger, screaming, violence, a lack of control and, to put it mildly, madness.
During my 30-plus years in print journalism, I reported the news all day and night, then went home and turned on the national news for another hour or three. These days, my veteran eyes can hardly watch the day's happenings.
Too much sorrow. Too many tears.
So I am especially happy to be entering my second month of writing for the Heartland Sports Network.
Just as during those three decades in print, the joy and inspiration found in stories about local high school athletes and teams have been lifting my spirits.
And that's my goal for my readers.
Here's a story that should bring a smile to everyone's face.
On Monday, Aug. 3, Merrillville football coach Brad Seiss walked onto the grounds of Demaree Stadium for the first official day of high school football practice in Indiana. Coming off a trip to Lucas Oil Stadium for the Class 5A state championship game, he had a little extra pep in his step.
Then he saw Merrillville's girls flag football team going through its first practice.
His steps slowed.
About six of his players were on the field working with the female Pirates.
No one had asked them to.
They just did it.
"It was very inspiring to have our boys come out to show us some things," junior quarterback Justice Bernard-Conner said. "They were showing us love, trying to help us get to where they've been for quite a while. It was awesome."
Patrick Coffey is coaching the first girls flag football team in Merrillville school history. He also coaches the boys and girls track teams, and many of his track athletes play football.
Coffey recruited 15 female track athletes to play a sport many of them had never played before.
The Indianapolis Colts donated $1 million to the IHSAA initiative to grow girls flag football. There are 108 teams competing this fall, and the sport is expected to become an official IHSAA sport next school year.
"The boys came out to show the girls what football can do for them," Coffey said. "They've been super supportive of them. We've got a great group of kids at this school."
I would certainly agree.
I've heard whispers about male football players in the area criticizing the girls at their schools, almost making fun of them.
"It's not real football because no one gets tackled," they say.
But I watched the first quarter of Monday's Lake Central-Merrillville game, and let me tell you: Flag football is incredibly athletic. And difficult.
Grabbing the flag from the hip of someone sprinting downfield is not easy.
Not easy at all.
"Yeah, our boys were showing us love," Merrillville junior Jordy Fort said. "They came out to be there for us. They were showing us drills. Footwork. How to run routes. Basic stuff. We're all athletes, but we've never competed in football before.
"It meant a lot to me, to all of us, that they were there."
On Monday night, Pirates defensive end Josiah Horton and a teammate worked the chains for the game. Many of the Bucs football players, after a long, hot practice, sat in the stands cheering for their schoolmates.
This was so much better than watching Fox News, CNN or MSNBC.
Bickering. Yelling. Barking like mad dogs while seemingly adding fuel to the flames burning around the planet.
"We wanted to help them out so they could be as good as us," senior running back Kam Brown said. "When you're just starting, everyone needs to have someone show them the ropes. We all needed it when we started playing, too.
"The speed our girls have is pretty good. I think once they get going, they're going to be a tough team."
Teammate William Golden agreed as the two watched Monday's game.
"Just starting, they needed someone to explain some things," Golden said. "We were happy to be there and do that. We know most of them from track, and we're all friends. We cheer each other on.
"Everyone's got to start somewhere. I think they have a chance to be pretty good."
Seiss joked that his players just wanted to hang around some girls.
But the 12th-year coach on Broadway was also genuinely proud of his players' character and their willingness to lend a hand.
"I saw my guys out there running stations, doing drills, explaining football language and things like that, and I was proud," Seiss said. "We've got nice kids here. They get along very well. But seeing them working together made me proud."
As it should, Coach.
I may not watch the so-called "news" for a month.
I need to go to more high school events.
Because there is far more hope and love in our communities than a lot of those "broadcasters" tell us.

Steve Hanlon
Heartland Sports Network