Prowlers win first ever pee wee title
Published 11:00 am Wednesday, November 12, 2003
ARLINGTON—At seven and eight years old, one might think the complexity of football rules and plays might be too much to handle.
That wasn’t the case for the two pee wee teams from the Oak Harbor Youth Football League, the Prowlers and Jammers, who proved Saturday morning the future of Oak Harbor football remains bright.
Competing in the first ever North Cascade Youth Football League pee wee championship game, the Prowlers defeated the Jammers in a close contest, 22-14.
“The Jammers, which are a great team, beat us the first time they played us,” Prowler coach Gerry Oliver said. “For us to come back and bring it to them was fantastic.”
Both the Prowlers (5-1) and the Jammers (5-1) finished with the best records of seven teams in their league, earning the right to play for the NCYFL title.
The Prowlers jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter when Zachary Gibbs took a sweep around the left side for a 35-yard touchdown run. With the extra point run, the Prowlers led 7-0.
It didn’t take long for the Jammers to answer. On the ensuing kickoff, Jamacio Webster returned the ball 65-yards for a touchdown. A failed extra point attempt left the score at 7-6.
With just under two minutes to go before halftime, the Prowlers’ Gaberiel Groenig took a pitch around the left side, scoring from 22-yards out. The extra point run by Reiley Allen made the halftime score 14-6 Prowlers. After battling to a scoreless third quarter, Prowlers’ quarterback Jordan Merrill scampered in for a 10-yard touchdown run. Dayne Herron’s kick for two points skimmed off and over the cross bar for a 22-6 lead.
The Jammers made their best effort at a fourth quarter comeback, but ran out of time.
Although the pee wee program is in its third year with the OHYFL, this is the first time they have played a competitive season. Prior to this year, it was strictly an instructional league.
Even with the competitive aspect added to this season, teaching the kids the fundamentals of the game remains the focus.
“Usually the first day of practice consists of this is a shoulder pad and this is how to tie your shoe,” Oliver said. “You really just set the foundation for what they’re going to do later.”
Midget Division
In the midget division (9-10 years old), the Oak Harbor Jets (9-0) faced an also undefeated Concrete Lions team for the division title. The Jets opened up the playbook and went into halftime with a 14-0 lead after a couple of great touchdown passes. They were tested, however, in the second half when Concrete scored 12 quick points.
The Jets defense stayed strong and focused when it counted, as it did all year. They preserved their perfect season by stopping the Lions on a late drive and earned the title of 2003 NCYFL Midget Champions.
Senior Division
In the senior division (13-14 years old), the Oak Harbor Wildcats (7-2) faced a tough and experienced team from Friday Harbor (8-1) that hadn’t lost since opening day of the season. The Wildcats played well the entire game in an extremely hard hitting battle, but were finally defeated by the Tigers on several quick touchdowns. The Wildcats were awarded second in league in a very tough conference.
The Oak Harbor Youth Football League (OHYFL) has an annual participation of over 200 players from the Oak Harbor School District. Since 1997, the OHYFL have won 15 NCYFL Conference Championships and seven NCYFL league titles at all division levels, by far the most by any organization in the NCYFL.
The OHYFL is also very proud of the fact that a majority of the Wesco Champion Oak Harbor High School Wildcat varsity football players participated in the youth program.
To learn more about the youth football program, please visit: www.eteamz.com/oakharborfootball
