Photo by Precision Sports Entertainment
The next stop on the 10th Annual MaxPreps Football Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard was
Mallard Creek High School in Charlotte, N.C. The Mavericks beat Wake Forest 25-14 this year to claim the 4AA state title, their second consecutive state title. The Mallard Creek Football team is ranked No. 69 in the nation out of 16,000 high school football programs by MaxPreps.
When MaxPreps and the North Carolina Army National Guard arrived on site, the excitement in the air was palpable. Fans crowded in the gym for the boys' basketball game, where at halftime the football team would be honored on the Tour of Champions. As the second quarter wrapped up, Louisa Lowrie of MaxPreps and Sergeant James Vazquez of the North Carolina Army National Guard headed out to half court for the trophy presentation. Louisa described to the crowd the MaxPreps Tour of Champions and how Mallard Creek is only one of 50 schools being recognized across the country. Louisa then introduced SGT Vazquez for the trophy presentation. SGT Vazquez congratulated the team on their success and presented coach Palmieri with the Army National Guard national ranking trophy.
Coach Palmieri thanked MaxPreps and the Army National Guard for the recognition. Coach Palmieri then talked about what it means to be part of the football team and more importantly receiving this honor again from the National Guard as they did in 2013-14. He also said the team will continue to work hard this upcoming season in hopes of receiving the award again next year. After the presentation, several of the players were interviewed and they discussed how motivating this event was for next season. The football players as well as the parents and Mallard Creek High School students took pictures with the prestigious trophy.
The players and parents all thanked us for the recognition and thanked the members of the National Guard for their service to our country and all of the hard work.
Congratulations Mallard Creek Football team on a great season and national ranking!
