TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — It’s a Happy Thanksgiving for the Thunderbolts because they finally got their Thanksgiving Day practice.
But it’s not just the players and coaches out here but it’s the families as well.
After a win over Northwest Christian, Coach Pat Nugent was able to get his third Thanksgiving day practice in his 33 years of coaching and Mica Mountain got their first.
“I woke up with a lot of energy this morning, it was exciting," Nugent said. "You know, even last week we were talking about that game. Just to get through that game and to be able to practice on Thanksgiving, that was our goal, so we finished that game and the first thing the kids said was ‘Practice on Thanksgiving coach.’”
But today’s practice wasn’t just about football.
“We’ve got families coming out," Nugent said.
“That family atmosphere at practice, there’s nothing like it," Mica Mountain senior, Devin Hayward said.
Families of players and coaches came out to watch and cook breakfast for the team.
“This is a memory for these kids and we’re trying to keep it light and have a great experience today," Nugent said.
Nugent would never have thought in just four years this was the position they would be in.
“You know, you talk about being thankful and there’s so many things for us to be thankful for," Nugent said. "This group of seniors could have gone to a powerhouse like Cienega, but they chose three, four years ago to come to Mica Mountain not knowing and here we are four years later playing for a state championship.’
But unlike Nugent, his players had a feeling they would make it.
“From the start of the season, we knew we had a great team. We just had to go in and work hard but now we’re here, so we’ve got to finish business," Hayward said.
“It’s their first run in the playoffs, it’s their first turkey day practice, and tomorrow they play in their first semi-finals game against CDO, the Thunderbolts only loss of the season.
Kick-off is at 7 p.m. at CDO.
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Erin Patterson is a reporter for KGUN 9. She's agraduate of the University of Alabama with a Bachelor’s in News Media with a Sports Concentration. Erin recently obtained her Master's Degree in Sports Journalism from Arizona State University at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, where she gained experience a sports reporter, anchor and producer. Share your story ideas and important issues with Erin by emailing erin.patterson@kgun9.com.
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