Football champs live high standards
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CANYON COUNTRY, Calif. — For the first time in 79 years, California crowned state football champions last season, and four priests of the Solemint Ward, Santa Clarita California Stake, contributed as Canyon High School claimed the top trophy. The Cowboys beat Concord De La Salle, 27-13, in the Division I California Interscholastic Federation 2006 State Football Championship Bowl Game on Dec. 16.
Seniors Jesse Kelley, Ben Longshore and Michael Pyne, as well as junior Stephen Wirthlin, are not only members of a championship football team, but also earned praise for their character and activity in the Church from priesthood leaders. Jesse is a tight end/defensive end, Michael is a linebacker/running back and Stephen is a cornerback/wide receiver. The Cowboys' starting quarterback, Ben is brother of BYU offensive lineman Nick Longshore and Cal-Berkeley quarterback Nate Longshore.
"These priests in the Santa Clarita California Stake helped lead the team to a victory in the Division I California State Championship," said their stake president, Brian L. Sheffield. President Sheffield explained that their victory was even more significant as they beat the No. 1-ranked high school football team in the United States, according to USA Today rankings. After winning their second straight undefeated foothill league championship and second straight CIF championship, and now state championship, Canyon (12-2) finished as the 10th-ranked team in the U.S. by MaxPreps.com, a nationwide high school sports network.
Solemint Ward Bishop Richard L. Wirthlin has followed the team as Stephen's father and as bishop to the others. He commented on the example these young men set on and off the field, saying that they frequently invite other team players to ward and stake activities. "They are not afraid to distinguish themselves as members of the Church and share their commitment of strong values.
"One team member who has noticed that example is J.J. DiLuigi, the team's outstanding running back and MVP of the state championship game. Although not members of the Church, J.J. and his father drove from Santa Clarita to Provo late last year and (J.J.) committed to play for Brigham Young University. He is planning to enroll this summer."
Explaining that Canyon head coach Harry Welch is an avid supporter of each individual team member, Bishop Wirthlin said that the coach recently attended a sacrament meeting in the Solemint Ward, along with six other Canyon varsity football players from the 2005 CIF Championship team.
"They came to listen to Richie Wirthlin, Stephen's older brother, speak about his recent call to serve a mission in Moscow, Russia," he said. "Richie was all-CIF last year, also as a wide receiver and safety, and is gray-shirting on the BYU football team."
President Sheffield, too, reflected on the example set on and off the football field by Canyon High School's four priests.
"Quarterback Ben Longshore experienced the sudden death of his father, Todd, before this season began and, while the family misses their father immensely, we have seen this already-close family develop an even closer relationship," he said. "The community knows the family and a new park in Santa Clarita has recently been dedicated and named Todd Longshore Park for his commitment to sports and recreation in the city."
President Sheffield summed up why the success and example of these priests is important: "Although their schedules are full, each young man consistently attends early-morning seminary, Church and Mutual activities, and provides frequent service. They are all planning missions and are following the Christlike examples of their older brothers and Church leaders. Having learned what effort, teamwork and discipline can accomplish, they will each be better missionaries because of their selfless commitment."
