AMBOY – During the 2022 football season, Jeremy Fry and Zane Sundberg were offered to be managers for the Amboy-LaMoille-Ohio football team.

They were on the sideline for most of the games that season but were only in attendance for the Illinois 8-Man Football Association State Championshnip.

The following year, Sundberg and Fry were the ball boys and water boys through the undefeated 13-0, state championship campaign. This year they returned and received medals after the Clippers won their second, back-to-back, championship.

“It feels good to be part of the team. I started playing football in fourth grade,” said Fry, who is a sixth grader in LaMoille. “Its fun being water boy because you get to talk to all of the players and coaches. It’s cool to walk on the field. You make a lot of friends when you do it, too.

“I’ve gotten to know all of the players. They’re like brothers to me. They treat me like I’m their brother. They’re like best friends. It was fun sitting by the players on the chartered bus.”

Fry and Sundberg were part of all the postseason festivities this time around.

The duo spoke at the prep rally before the state game, led the walk-through Amboy school hallways in part of a state sendoff, and spoke at the celebration after the trophy was brought to Amboy.

And, of course, they were on the field, in line with players, coaches, and administration to receive medals after the 42-14 win over Milledgeville.

“Being on the sideline and being around the players is a good experience,” said Sundberg, a seventh grader in LaMoille, who lost his voice during the state championship. “I have fun being around football. I pay attention. I like to predict the plays to see if I know what they’re going to do next. I couldn’t be more grateful for every player around us and all of the coaches. There is nothing like this experience.

“I told myself if I didn’t lose my voice then technically we lost.”

Clippers coach Scott Payne thought it was only right to have the junior high ball boys and water boys be part of the team.

“It means a lot because they’re the next Clippers. They’re the future of this program. Zane and Jeremy are both funny kids,” Payne said. “They’re great kids and I love having them around. It’s a great thing to see when you get the younger kids involved in the program.

“I think a lot of teams let the managers led the way a little bit. It means a lot to them. It shows that they’re involved and they’re part of the team. I think they get a kick out of it and I think they enjoy it. I let them do their thing. It’s fun to watch. They both say some pretty funny things at the right time.”

It was also fun for the family.

Lori Fry and Staci Sundberg thought their sons may only be on the field for one game.

They didn’t realize 2 ½ years later, Jeremy and Zane would still be at every game and loving it.

For the Frys, it’s unique because Zane’s older brother Ed is a senior running back who ran in a touchdown during the state championship.

“It’s amazing to see the comradery between Jeremy and the team. Jeremy and Ed have gotten closer throughout the years,” Lori Fry said. “Whenever there is talk about football, Jeremy is always in the conversation. When he talks about football, it’s not him talking about the junior tackle coach, he’s talking about the high school coaches. He’s already part of the team and one of them.

“He definitely has a lot of big brothers out there looking out for him. He’s learned a lot.”

Although some older brothers might not like their little brother being around, Ed is more than happy to see his little bro after every play.

“It’s awesome having him there. Having a little brother, it’s awesome to try to teach him as much as I can,” said Ed, who may have said he tells Jeremy to put on the pads when they’re not seeing eye to eye. “Having him on the sideline to get a high five after every play or tell you good job, means so much. I’ve had an amazing time with Jeremy on the sideline.”

Zane’s older brother, Ian Sundberg, was a lineman and a key piece to the football team last year.

Although the brother dynamic wasn’t there for Zane in terms on bloodline, Staci Sundberg saw the family dynamic every game.

“I don’t think when Zane and Jeremy started carrying the ball on the field or being the water boy that they imagined they would get the opportunity to not just go to one state game, but to go to two,” Staci Sundberg said. “These football players, last year and this year, pull them in and make them part of the team. The players treat them like they’re players on the team.

“They definitely have a lot of big brothers. These two boys are right there after every big play. They pat them on the back and give them high fives. As a mom, it’s great to see.”