Pop Warner Football: Junior Midgets win Division 3 title

The Douglas Pop Warner Junior Midget football team wrapped up its season with impressive play in Santa Clara, Calif., two weeks ago.

After an undefeated regular season, the team won the right to compete in the Pacific Northwest Region Division 3 Championship game.

The Tigers would face off against the East County Jets from Washington, who had won their state championship.

Play began with the Tigers deferring after winning the coin toss. On the Jets' third down, their pass was intercepted by the Tigers' Wesley Hundley who ended up with two interceptions in the game. The Tigers' first offensive play from scrimmage ended with a 40-yard touchdown scamper around the end by quarterback Michael Nolting who outran the defense.

The Jets' second offensive possession was shut down by brilliant play from Taylor Souza, Zach Kinder, Cole Melhuse, Tyler Seamons and Seth Trivitt (who came up with a big sack).

On the second play of the Tigers' next drive, the hand-off went to Jack Crawford who ran a dive play up the middle for a 43-yard touchdown. The play was made possible by the blocking up front by Adam Munoz, Ben Cochran, Zach Kinder, Ryan Phillips, Chase White and Teddy Mason.

The Jets' next offensive drive was foiled by a big hit from Souza which caused a fumble that was recovered by the Tigers' Wyatt Eichorst. The next Tigers offensive possession was another two-play drive with Nolting connecting with Melhuse on a 10-yard touchdown pass.

After Nolting converted the two previous PAT kicks with solid longsnapping by Conner Miller, the Tigers were stopped on their run for the single point after. This put the score at 22-0 after only five offensive plays from scrimmage in the first quarter.

The Tigers continued their solid defense for the remainder of the game shutting down the Jet offense.

Tiger defensive players Jack Crawford, Dusty Fisher, Tyler Seamons, Cody Hayes, Austin Ball, Andrew Bigam, Dalton Grissel, Matt Jones, Jacob Wartgow, Keith Becker, Fabian Caldera and Taylor Seamons all contributed in stopping the Jets offense.

In the spirit of good sportsmanship, the Tiger offense confined their plays to driving up the middle.

Behind the blocking of Colton Waggoner, Cameron Scholes, Conner Miller, Mitchell McIntosh, Justin Carney and Tayler Abeloe, Dusty Fisher and Cody Hayes were able to continue driving the ball into the red zone three more times. Three unsuccessful attempts at field goals from 27, 24 and 25 yards were enough to put the game in the bag for the Tigers.

This gave the Junior Midget Tigers the title of Pacific Northwest Division 3 Champions. After a season plagued with injuries, the Douglas coaching staff was very proud of their players' dedication and accomplishments.

Special acknowledgement goes out to Taylen Lopez-Simms and Brennan Neilon who contributed to the team all season but were unable to play due to injuries.