DANIEL PALOMO inspires the Battle Ground Tigers with an emotional halftime talk in the locker room.
One of the smallest people in the locker room delivered the biggest message during halftime of the Battle Ground Tigers’ non-league football game Sept. 5.
Daniel Palomo, who stands 5-foot-4, volunteered as an unofficial coach and cheerleader during the game against Kent-Meridian. He got the chance because he’s a former student of Tigers coach and teacher Jonas Fridriksson. Palomo asked if there was anything he could do to help the team, and got consent to give a halftime talk.
During an interview prior to the game, Palomo said he wants to volunteer to help the Battle Ground football programs -- varsity, junior varsity and freshman – because he’s been treated well in Battle Ground, his longtime home.
“I just want to give back because this town has been so good to me,” Palomo said.
He paced back and forth in front of the players as they sat and listened at halftime, emotion pouring out of him. Palomo dances with an advertising sign for his employer, Little Caesars Pizza, in downtown Battle Ground several evenings a week. He used all his showmanship to address the Tigers, who were just nine points behind after two quarters.
“We’re beating ourselves,” he said. “They’re not beating us. I believe in you just like all of Battle Ground believes in you. You’re tired. You’re sore. But you guys are fighters.
“Don’t show fear. We don’t fear no one. If they’re big, you be bigger. I’m with you guys. I’m with you until the end.”
Coach Larry Peck took over after Palomo finished, urging his team to quit making mental errors that plagued the Tigers in the first half. He talked Xs and Os and came up with some adjustments for the second half.
“We’ve got to play smart. Guys, we’re this close to making some plays,” Peck said, holding a finger and thumb one inch apart.
Motivational words also were said in the locker room before the Tigers ran onto the field to begin the game. Then, it was Peck’s duty to make sure his players weren’t too excited in the game’s opening minutes.
“We aren’t gonna get off to a good start if you amp yourself up too much,” he said. “You should walk that line. Now’s the time to have fun. Football is hard, but games are fun. Give everything you have.”
An assistant coach read a letter to the team from former player Hayden Humphrey, now a student at George Fox University in Oregon.
“It’s hard hanging up the cleats,” Humphrey wrote. “Tell those guys in their first game to be fearless. Memories of Battle Ground football will be with you forever.”
