Bob Byrnes
Thursday, August 22, 2023
My daughter, Valerie Stozki, Director of Events at Holy Family HS, provided a presentation to our Broomfield Rotary Club relating to the referenced game. Little did she know at the time that God does work miracles in special ways. Broomfield HS, which has been a state champion in football and defeated Holy Family by a score of 53 – 0 last year, was expected to win. That was not to be. With just minutes left in the game and Holy Family down 29 to 15, Holy Family took control of the football and marched downfield to score a touchdown, score Broomfield 29 Holy Family 22. Kick off to Broomfield. With just a minute left in the game Holy Family received the football deep in their own territory. Somehow they managed to march downfield and with 15 seconds left scored a touchdown. Score Broomfield 29 Holy Family 28. Holy Family elected to go for the 2 point conversion and the win. They were held on the 2 point conversion play but the gods of fortune and football looked kindly upon them. Broomfield was called for a facemask violation. Holy Family proceeded to score the 2 point winning conversion on the next play. Broomfield 29 Holy Family 30. For the Holy Family players and staff and faculty and all those present this was a game for the ages and the young men who played in it and their coaches and staff will remember this game for a lifetime.More important then the game itself was the respect shown by Holy Family to 35 members of the Broomfield/Holy Family HS community on Holy Family’s Military & First Responders Appreciation Night. Holy Family made the night special for them with presentations to each of these individuals or family members on the field after the game citing their military and/or civilian service and a few words about them. Members of our military and civilian service from Seaman , Private to Major General along with Police, Firemen and Medical providers were so recognized.
It was a perfect night with perfect weather, great football and wonderful fellowship. As one of those being recognized by my daughter, it felt good to be an American and good to let all those young players and fans on the field and in the stands see the service to our community and to our country their parents, friends and relatives have provided.
Bob Byrnes