Isaac Hungerbuhler: Persevering through loss surrounded by his football family

MELBOURNE, Fla. — Football in the Suntree and Viera areas is strong, not just at the high school level, but in the Pop Warner leagues as well. In November, the 14U boys Pop Warner football team won the SE Regional Championship and took down the East Metro Steelers from the powerful football city of Atlanta. The Suntree Viera Youth Football league (SVYFL) is part of the East Coast Conference (ECC) and this is the first time in 10 years that a team from this conference has been represented in the regional championship. Unfortunately, they lost in the National Championship title game against a great team from Chicago in early December.

The team is made up of a group of players at all experience levels and Coach Scott Woodruff says that the players are so appreciative of the support from their families and they all worked very hard to get to where they are.

One of the players that helped the team all season and was instrumental in the SE Regionals win is Isaac Hungerbuhler, who plays the position of Defensive End. Isaac is 14 years old and has been playing football for six years. Towards the end of the season, his father, Jason, passed away after a horrible accident. Jason was a huge fan of Isaac’s and they shared a close bond. His father could be heard cheering on the team at their games and his presence is missed by many. Isaac’s loss was unfathomable to the team, but his resilience and maturity were beyond his years. He is lucky to have the guidance and the love of his mother, Candice who has been helping him.

After the passing of his father, Isaac said he changed how he played, “I played the games with more of a reason to play for someone.” Isaac is blessed to have friends that are like family and one of those is the Hancock family. Coach Dan Hancock, a former coach of Isaac’s and his son, Jack, introduced Isaac to competitive football years ago and have always been close to him….even closer now. Coach Hancock says, “He is a player that has been committed to growth and development. He is one of the most dominant players on the team’s defense. Isaac is hilarious and one of the kindest and most generous kids I know. He is a great friend and teammate, but honestly, he’s become like a son.”

On the football field, Coach Woodruff describes Isaac as, “a solid player on our team, a presence at DE and has stepped up on many occasions to make plays that have shut down opponent’s drives. He plays with a controlled aggression that makes him a player we can count on and the staff is looking forward to what he will accomplish in the years to come.”

He feels Isaac’s development this season is due to his work ethic and being coachable, which are very important qualities in not only sports but in life. The coaches feel that he isn’t just a good football player but an outstanding young man.

Isaac would like to play pro football one day and also be in the Coast Guard. He has a love for the ocean and the water. In addition to football, he is on his school’s track team and competes in the 400-meter distance and Shot Put. When he is not playing sports, you will see him fishing, hunting, and doing anything outdoors.

Good luck in the future Isaac, we are cheering for you!

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