2002 Pop Warner Super Bowl: Division II Football at its Best!

Orlando, FL (Dec. 10) -- Today's games featured many outstanding matchups in all four divisions of Pop Warner Division II football. There were last minute victories, defensive stands to hold off potential rallies, and even a few overtime thrillers.

The morning games saw eight football teams at the Jr. Pee Wee level open the day with a bang. The best game was a matchup of East coast v. West coast, as the Sherman Park Bulldogs from Syracuse, NY battled the East Bay Wolverines from California. This physical game ended up as a 7-6 Bulldogs victory, but was a game that could have gone either way. Sherman Park scored early in the second quarter, and held off the Wolverine comeback with the help of an interception late in the fourth quarter. Other Jr. Pee Wee games included the Independence Indians (MO) falling to the New Birth Saints (FL) 27-6, the Newington Knights (CT) shutting out the LCP Bearkats (TX) 21-0, and the Stanley Blue Devils (NC) knocking off the Yuma Scorpions (CA) 34-14.

The second round of games featured many more great matchups in the Pee Wee Division. The game of the day belonged to the S. Miami Gray Ghost and the PG County Outlaws. After ending regulation knotted at 0, the Outlaws scored first but missed a critical conversion. The Gray Ghost answered with a TD run and the extra point kick which just cleared the uprights by about a foot. Other action included Kalani Falcons (HI) picking up their first Pop Warner postseason victory by ousting the Pomperaug Warriors (CT) 22-16, the Dale City War Eagles (VA) beating Lee's Summit Tigers (MO) 28-8 and the East Bay Wildcats (CA) defeating the NW Raiders (TX) 21-0.

The 1:00 games featured the Midget Division teams, and some hard-hitting football. The featured matchup was between the Mexicali Halcones of Mexico against the Oak Cliff 49ers (TX), a program very familiar with Pop Warner Super Bowls. But today was Mexicali's day, and they triumphed over the 49ers by a score of 13-0. In other Midget Division action, the S. Troy Trojan Warriors (NY) overcame the Dale City Cowboys (VA) 14-6, the Fairfield Falcons (CA) fell to the Bolingbrook Trojans (IL) 22-0 and the Cape Youth Hurricanes defeated the Beverly Panthers in a smash-mouth football game. The 1:00 time slot also featured the Pop Warner Friendship Bowl, a matchup between Russia's Moscow Patriots and local squad Port Orange Hawks (FL). The Russian squad put on quite a performance, but fell just short of defeating the Hawks.

The final round of games included 4 first round Division II Jr. Midget matchups, and they were all excellent football games. The Colonie Knights completed the sweep for New York teams as they ousted the Oak Cliff 49ers (TX) 12-7 in a very close game. The high- powered Harvey Colts (IL) bested the Ansonia Coppers (CT) 16-6, the Fairfield Falcons (CA) ran away from the Tucson Falcons (AZ) 30-7 and the Dale City Rams (VA) fell to the Coral Reef Broncos (FL) 12-0.

Seventeen great football games, and great weather at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, FL were the highlights of the day, and more of the same is expected tomorrow. Wednesday's action will see 14 matchups of Division I football, and the first ever National Cheer Classic at the milk House Complex. Check back for all the highlights from the day's events.

Please log on to www.popwarner.com for more information on the 2002 Pop Warner Super Bowl week at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex on December 8-14, 2002.