No one was anticipating last weekends midget football game more than Stephen Hudson Jr. and his pal Camden Ward. Both attend Swatara Middle School, but Stephen plays for the Swatara Tigers and Camden for the Seven Sorrows Eagles.

The buddies exchanged good-natured ribbing in the days leading up to the game between the two teams, and they were eager for the battle.

The game turned into a battle all right, but not in the way the boys were expecting.

If you stop by here regularly, you might remember that last weeks column focused on sportsmanship. My point was that it should extend into the stands, with parents providing positive examples. To put it simply, I equated sportsmanship with the Golden Rule.

Unfortunately, nothing golden happened in the stands when Swatara took on Seven Sorrows.

Near the end of the second quarter, with Seven Sorrows leading 21-0, two players got into an argument, a tussle, a fight, depending on who is telling the story. The ref tossed them both out of the game.

Tempers flared. Swatara parents yelled at the ref. The Swatara coach said some nasty words. The ref responded by throwing the coach out of the game. The parents protests grew louder.

Eventually, the ref, who said he feared for his safety, called the police. Then he strongly suggested the Swatara fans leave before he had them arrested.

As they exited, most of the parents took their sons with them.

Down on the field, the game was cancelled. Swatara forfeited.

Then, amid the chaos, Stephen Hudson Jr. did something that no one expected. The kid, who plays fullback and linebacker, walked across the playing field alone and shook hands with each of the Seven Sorrows players.

This 13-year-old boys demonstration of sportsmanship roused the Seven Sorrows stands, where people began clapping and cheering.

Nicole Mehalick, a Seven Sorrows fan, said Stephens actions renewed her hope in the younger generation.

This young man showed so much maturity and integrity, and his sportsmanship shined through. It shined brighter than any grown adult man on that field, she said.

Camden Wards mother, Brandi, echoed those sentiments.

I was so moved by what he did, she said. At their age, its so much easier to be a follower than a leader.

Respect also came from his own team.

Steve Hudson Jr.'s demonstration of sportsmanship roused the Seven Sorrows stands, where people began clapping and cheering.

That was great of him, said James Banks, the Swatara coach who got tossed. Hes an inspiration to me, and Im in my 50s.

Banks, who admitted he should have checked his emotions during the game, said he wasnt surprised.

Hes one of those kids. He stays real respectful, he said.

Meanwhile, Stephens mother, Brittany Moore, said she has been inundated with messages praising her son.

When so many people were touched by it, it was a shock to me, she said. I cried reading so many nice things.

The sad ending to the story is the events caused the league to end the Swatara teams season. The kids, including Stephen, wont play their final game or participate in the playoffs.

Its really a sad situation that the players are being punished for adults poor behavior, Stephens mother said, but Im proud that my son was able to show a high level of maturity through it all.

Kudos, Stephen. You deserve a sportsmanship award.

NANCY ESHELMAN: columnist1@verizon.net

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It took a 13-year-old to show the adults how to conduct themselves | Nancy Eshelman - PennLive