In the sleepy city of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, a 10-year-old girl sits at a supersized rectangular table. Surrounded by the chatter of her parents, brothers, and friends, she retreats into the serenity of football. While other patrons focus on the television tuned to baseball, she eagerly awaits her personal pepperoni pizza, stealing glances at her father’s phone. Between bites of pizza and prosciutto from her dad’s plate, she becomes engrossed in a football game happening a thousand miles away, featuring teams she’s never heard of.
To her, Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, might as well be on the moon. Yet something about the game captivates her—the physicality, the crisp execution. In an instant classic, the defending Division III National Champion Cortland State defeated Susquehanna 40-38, avenging their only loss of the 2023 season. On a warm September afternoon, 1,724 spectators braved the heat for a noon kickoff.
Different Processing, Same Love
Bailey, the 10-year-old, is an autistic girl who, despite being nonverbal, possesses a deep understanding of football. Born in an era when Khalil Mack became her all-time favorite player, the sport has always mesmerized her. She communicates through sign language and evolving speech, and while she may never fully vocalize, her intelligence shines through to her teachers, family, and friends.
Autism is a neurological difference that influences how she processes and learns, but it doesn’t diminish her abilities. In fact, she has a remarkable knack for recognizing formations and schemes. Football has always been a source of comfort for Bailey. As a baby, she spent hours watching games with her father, who was starting his writing career. Now, ten years later, she can immerse herself in games on her own. In that restaurant, the Cortland/Susquehanna matchup captivated her as it did many viewers.
Photo Cred: http://www.suriverhawks.com
The Push
True champions possess the ability to close gaps without panicking. When Christian Colasurdo connected on a 36-yard field goal, Cortland found themselves down by seventeen points to the River Hawks. Yet, no one on the Cortland sideline, from coaches to players, showed any sign of distress. With calm determination, they went to work. Just before halftime, Cortland quarterback Zac Boyes capped a seven-play, 83-yard drive with a seven-yard touchdown run, bringing the score to 24-20 and sending the defending champions into the locker room with renewed momentum.
Refill
As the top-ranked teams clashed on the field, Bailey’s root beer glass desperately needed a refill—Wisconsinites take their root beer seriously. In that moment, Susquehanna recaptured the lead, thrilling the crowd at Amos Alonzo Stagg Field at Doug Arthur Stadium. Unfazed, Cortland responded with a decisive 71-yard drive in eight plays to secure the lead for good. A team led by Tom Perkovich wouldn’t back down easily; the River Hawks kept fighting, scoring again to cut the lead to two before falling short in their attempt to recover an onside kick.
Calm
Curt Fitzpatrick, despite the thrilling victory, remained humble in discussing his team’s performance. “Our team showed a lot of mental toughness, togetherness, and grit today. I’m proud of the way we responded after falling behind early. We maintained our poise, which allowed us to settle into our game plan and execute effectively. This win is huge for us because it wasn’t easy, and we had to battle on the road against a terrific opponent. We learned a lot today, and we’ll grow from this game. Learning lessons in wins is a lot better than learning them in losses.”
Photo Cred: InformNINY.com
Meaning to Both Teams
For Susquehanna, Coach Perkovich will gather his team to analyze what happened and prepare for their upcoming trip to face Western New England University before starting their Landmark Conference schedule. Meanwhile, the Red Dragons look ahead to hosting Empire 8 Conference rival Morrisville at Grady Field. The Cortland/Susquehanna rivalry should become an annual fixture, as these heart-stopping games epitomize what Division III football is all about.
Finished Slices, New Fandom
After Cortland’s victory, Bailey left the restaurant, her appetite satisfied by pizza and prosciutto, and her passion for football reignited by yet another phenomenal game between two top-tier programs. For most of her life, football has drawn her in and allowed her to engage deeply. Bailey isn’t just any 10-year-old fan—she’s my daughter. The power of great football unites people, regardless of age, gender, or neurodiversity. That, and extraordinary piz
