Football: Junior Midgets advance to regional championship

The Junior Midget Tigers continued their march toward the Pop Warner Super Bowl in Florida by advancing to the next round of regional playoffs with a 28-0 demolition of the Richmond Eagles.

The Tigers took control from opening kick-off on a nice return by Rice to midfield.

Running back Lyons swept right to take the first play from scrimmage to the house.

Marguth booted the extra point kick for two and an early 8-0 Tiger lead.

Rooker recovered a fumble on the ensuing kick-off to give the ball right back to the potent Tiger O. After power runs by backs Lippincott and Lyons, quarterback Abreu hit Rooker on a sweet pass and run after catch. Lyons then punched in another touchdown and Marguth kicked the extra to put the Tigers up 16-0.

The effective Tiger O-line protected quarterbacks Abreu and Peck and opened holes for backs Lyons, Lippincott, Foster, Marguth, Hoyt, Rooker and Wasser all game. The Tigers block strong up front with linemen Marguth, Lawrence, Clinger, Peters, Rowden, Wilson, Contreras, Kynett and Esparza, along with ends Wass, Jackson, Seamons and Beckwith. As they say, football games are won up front, and this team is living proof.

The ferocious Tiger D stepped up for four quarters to shut down their opponent. Led up front in the trenches by tackles Gervais, Curtis, Wartgow, Beckwith, Marguth and Fitzgerald-Wermes, with ends Hoyt and Lawrence, this defensive front penetrated and disrupted the Richmond backfield all game. Linebackers Foster, Kynett, Peters, Schindler and Lippincott brought intense pursuit and tackling, corners Rice, Bigam and Wasser shut down the outside, and safeties Rooker and Peck roamed deep to clean up anything that got past the second level ... which wasn't too often.

This team, with a victory on Saturday, would be traveling to Orlando within a week for an opportunity to play in the Pop Warner Super Bowl. Thirty three players, eight coaches, chaperones and DPW board members need to raise approximately $50,000 to make the week-long trip. Non-profit Douglas Pop Warner, players, families and friends are currently seeking pledges, donations and sponsorships to help make this dream become a reality for the team. Please contact Paula at 450-9462 or plippincott3@verizon.net to find out how to help.