Pop Warner team reigns as champs

Fallbrook’s Jr. Midget Warriors are well on their way to playing in the Pop Warner State Championship after trouncing the Valley Center Jaguars on Saturday, November 6.

The championship game was a nail biter, with the game ending in overtime with a score of 14-8.

According to Coach Jeff Meyer, the game went into overtime after defensive end Matthew Kinzie was able to block a field goal by the Jaguars. The rest of the team, led by quarterback Landon Benner, worked hard to make the necessary touchdown for the win. This win at Rancho Buena Vista High School allowed the Warriors to become the Palomar Conference Div. 3b Champions.

“Both teams were given the ball at the 10 yard line, and we were able to score,” said Meyer. “Landon was able to run in the touchdown for the win.”

The exciting game was just a sample of the Warriors’ season.

“The team did really well this season,” said Meyer, who stated that the Warriors ended their season with an 8-2 record. “We started the season 0-1, but we changed up a lot of things, moving kids around, and we started to gel together as a team. We rolled out four victories in a row then lost a game before winning four more games.”

The Warriors’ mid-season loss had been to the Jaguars, pushing the team to work hard to make sure that they could defeat them in the finals.

“Valley Center was the team that beat us in the middle of the season, and we told our kids we would likely see them in the championship. The Jaguars were very similar to us. They were very good defensively and offensively, and this game came down to whoever wanted it more,” said Meyer. “I’m sure it wasn’t a good feeling for them to lose to us, but we have spent the last four weeks preparing to play against them. We definitely stunned them. Seeing our players’ faces after the win was worth all of the time and effort we put in.”

Meyer believes that the players’ ability to develop leadership qualities on the field is what allowed the Jr. Midget team to become the champion team.

“We didn’t pick the leaders for the team; they developed on the defense and offense early,” explained Meyer. “Landon quickly became a leader on the team, and took over the role of quarterback well. He has been a leader all year.”

The players’ natural leadership qualities, in addition to the friendships that bonded the teammates together, allowed the Warriors to have five shutout games in the season, including two shutouts during the playoffs.

“Our offense was able to score an average of 22 points a game, and our defense gave up an average of 6.1 points a game,” boasted Meyer.

Meyer stated that the team, particularly the defense, has “shining star” players with raw talent.

“We started the season with about 10 kids that had only played football one year, or had never played before,” said Meyer. “The kids were well-coached by the coaches, and they came together as a team. They are very good athletes and players.”

As conference champions, the Warriors will play against the Jurupa Mammoths next week for a chance to play in the state championship on December 4.

“We’re not going to change a whole lot of our strategies for the game,” said Meyer. “We motivated our players to leave it all on the field for this game, and now it’s on them to be motivated to play for the championship. It has to come from within them. I want them to have fun.”

The next few weeks of practice will be spent preparing the 8th grade players for high school football, said Meyer, who will be teaching the players new terminology to help smooth the transition.

“At least half of our team is 8th graders,” said Meyer. “I have coached high school ball for a couple of years now, and I want them to keep playing and have fun. My goal is to make sure that they keep playing.”

In the spirit of tradition, the Warriors went out for pizza and proudly displayed their championship trophy after the game.

“We have to thank the parents for all of their support and contributions to our successful team,” declared Meyer.

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