Black Tigers take third

SANTA CLARA, CALIF.-Throughout their 1999 season, the Douglas Black Tigers football made it a habit of recording upset victories. So it wasn't really too surprising when the Black Tigers shocked high-powered Oak Grove of San Jose, Calif., 24-0 on Nov. 26 to record their 10th win of the season a place third in the Pacific Northwest Regional Championships.

"To have 20 kids who have never played football before and then finish the season 10-2, it really was an overwhelming feeling," said Black Tiger coach Alonzo Hatchett. "To travel that far, with a lot of people not expecting us to place, and then be successful - it was a great accomplishment."

Douglas, which had lost in regional championship semifinal to Vacaville 25-0 a week earlier, rebounded with a strong effort against the Rebels in the game which determined the third-best team among the 81 west coast junior pee wee Pop Warner football squads.

After Ryan Pruitt and Travis Woodbury made a key stop on an Oak Grove drive in the first quarter, Douglas got the ball on its own 5 and scored the opening points of the game seven plays later on a Jake Williams to Tim Gunston 55-yard touchdown pass.

After the Black Tiger defense, aided by good tackles by Roman Davis and Jordan Hatchett, forced the Rebels to turn the ball over once again, Davis gave Douglas a 12-0 lead on a sweep play from 20 yards out. Kelly Sullivan delivered a key block on the play.

Right before halftime, Douglas increased its lead to 18-0 on Davis' second touchdown run of the game, this time on a 5 yard power play.

With both teams' defenses playing well in the second half, the only score of the second came when Williams hit Cole Hanzik for a 10 yard touchdown pass on a slant pattern.

Hatchett said linemen Taylor Reed, Tom O'Brien, Paul Tolman, Matt Koerner and Brian Caplan all did an excellent job of opening up holes for the Douglas runners.

The Douglas defense limited the Rebels to just one first down in the second half.

Douglas' final record for the season was 10-2.