Football MVP Has 'Unbelievable' Football Instinct

Brendan York, 9U National East Mill Creek Hawks football team captain, was recently named the most valuable player for the 2011 season. Coach Clay Sturgill describes York as a truly remarkable player.

“He’s about 20-30 pounds smaller than most kids in the league, but he’s got unbelievable football instinct and is one of those rare athletes that always seems to understand where he is on the field, what the game condition is, and how to outsmart the teams he’s competing against,” Sturgill said.

York is the quarterback and also plays safety and linebacker. He has amazing skills no matter what position he is playing.

“As our quarterback, he will bait you with a run, run over you or make a cut that will make a defender just look silly,” Sturgill said. “On defense, he always finds his way to the ball and he will flat out stick you.”

According to Sturgill, York plays on a level that’s just a bit higher than everyone around him, but that never goes to his head.

“He’s a grounded, well-adjusted kid from a great family and carries himself with a fun loving and caring attitude,” Sturgill added.

York was only six years old when Sturgill first began coaching him. Sturgill remembers several amazing football moments from the past four football seasons.

“I remember when he was six and watching him break a long run down the sidelines,” Sturgill recalls. “Two defenders had the angle on him, and at six mind you, while he gets hit at the 2-yard line he dives and takes the ball from his right hand to his left and gets the ball over the pylon for the touchdown.”

Even at the young age of six York was a pure competitor, and Sturgill says it continued at the age of seven.

“At seven years old, in the first round of the playoffs against a much bigger and physical Shiloh team, it’s cold and rainy, the kids are covered in mud and we are down by six with fourth and one on the opponents' goal line with six seconds left in the game," Sturgill recounts. "Brendan punches it in for the win and we go three games later for the championship."

Each year, York has continued to develop new skills and continues to shine on the football field.

“At eight years old, he became a human highlight reel, but my favorite play was against Duluth in the playoffs," Sturgill remembers. "We gave up a last second score and they tied the game on the last play in regulation and could have won the game with the extra point. York blitzes the A-gap (middle of the defense) and sacks the quarterback for a loss taking the game to overtime. He leads the team down the field and punches in a touchdown for the win."

This past season, York continued to amaze his coaching staff and football fans.

“At nine years old, this year he figured out how to open field block and they are just wow-crushing kind of blocks,” Sturgill explains. “You don’t typically see a nine year old leave their feet to make a big block but he has this uncanny timing and places them perfectly. If you’re on the opposite side of the field, it has to be devastating to watch, but for our bench it’s exciting. As an opposing coach on kick-offs, it has to be a bit of a head scratcher. If you kick it to him, he will more than likely score. If you don’t, he’s going to find someone and send them sideways. Against Collins Hill this year, he had two crushing blocks on a single kick return for a touchdown.”  

Over his football years, York has brought an excitement to the game you just don’t see every day at such a young age. Coach Sturgill says that as good of a player as he is, he’s an even better young man.

“Always with a smile, he is a happy friendly kid who always gets along with the other kids and with the coaches,” Sturgill said. “He has the ability to bring up everyone’s game around him, and he does it without words.  The boys around him step their game up when they see the effort he puts into every play.”

Congratulate York for being named the MVP and Athlete of the Week by writing him a note in the comments below!

Dacula Patch Athlete of the Week: Brendan York

Team: 9U National East Mill Creek Hawks

Coach: Clay Sturgill

Position: Quarterback, safety and linebacker

Achievements: Team captain, MVP.

Team Achievements: GFL Runner-Up in 2011, and GFL Champions in 2010 and 2009.

Academic Achievements: Honor roll student at Ivy Creek Elementary

Click here for more information about the Mill Creek Hawks- 9U National League East and the Gwinnett Football League

Send us an email to nominate the next Dacula Patch athlete of the week.