DEA Bedford Over 30

DEA Over-30 Men's Soccer Team goes for history today.  DEA is taking on Seacoast United, largely the hammer to DEA's nail for so many years, they levelled twice this year 1-1.  Today's final is winner-take-all. 

This DEA franchise has climbed from the bottom of the OTHSL.ORG ranks, from Division 7 up to Division 1.  It has taken 17 years, and 34 seasons, to make the climb to the pinnacle of New England Men's Soccer. 

Starting out as the Londonderry Pacers (sponsered by Pace Industries), the team was a struggling franchise in Division 5, lead by the honorable Peter Hall (RIP).  DEA mastermind Dale Dubois joined the team in the 90's, and slowly brought over DEA-quality players over time.  Eventually, they reached Divsion 1, only to be slapped back to Division 2 in short order.  They made it back, and haven't left since. 

The squad rotated the older faction to the Masters Team (Over-40's) and replaced the team with younger players.  Today led by the likes of Jerold White, Ryan "The Salmon" Carvalho, Elvis Zukovic, DEA Summer Team Legend Lucas Hill, Dan Martin, Chris Jones, Barry Fitzgerald, and so many more.  Tino Martinez has grown into a "Godfather in Waiting", handling the reigns for Dale for the team management.  Last, brother Jon is the last remaining member who toiled in the lower divisions and has the shin-bang to prove it.  Today is his swan swang as he moves to my sign for next spring in the Masters team.

Today, the entire DEA Community, which stretches from Seattle to Singapore, Georgia to Ghana, South Boston to South Africa, waits a watchful eye to see if DEA can take home their first Division 1 Championship.  I personally toiled on this team for a full decade, and couldn't be prouder of my involvement for laying the building blocks for today's successes.  Make no mistake, this team is a classy group of guys who are deserving of their participation in today's game.

Prediction:  DEA 2, Seacoast 1.  Elvis' with a wonder goal from distance while the ref is stealing glances at his watch.  And, without a doubt, a third-half blowout.