Pee Wees Head For National Championships

The Steelers have been studying the videotape, memorizing a deep playbook of formations, and practicing their seal blocks, in preparation for this weekend’s big game.

We’re not talking about Pittsburgh’s Steelers. We’re talking about New Haven’s Pee Wee Steelers.

The team heads to Florida this weekend for a round of games to determine the Pop Warner League national champions.

On Monday night head coach William Cherry, who has not missed a game or practice in 22 years with the team, was showing his 34 10 to 12-year-olds the H‑21 or H‑22 trap. It’s the same trap play, with H‑21 to the left side of the center; if the call is H‑22, it’s to the right side. In both instances the runner dashes in the ​“hole” between the guard and tackle.

“That’s a new play,” said the coach, just in case opposing coaches have video footage of his team’s undefeated season so he can hurl something surprising at them.

Yes, video.

That’s how focused and professional the training is for these kids.They practice four afternoons a week from 5:30 to 7. They do it from early August until now, the post season, supported by eight coaches and deeply involved parents.

In order to play, kids must maintain academic averages and behavior standards. Backing and forthing among parents, coaches, and teachers is extensive, according to Bethany Watkins, the mother of linebacker Kareem Wali, Jr.

“This is more than just recreation,” she said.

Last Friday the Southern Connecticut Pop Warner New Haven Steelers defeated the Redding, Mass. Rockets to become the New England Regional champs. The 42 to 12 drubbing brought the Steelers’ season to an undefeated 12 and 0 conclusion.

Kareem said his favorite moment was a solo tackle. His teammate Justice Antrum scored four touchdowns in the game.

Coach Cherry said Justice was the team’s workhorse in the regional championship game, but the whole team is deep and balanced. Many of the kids played in the younger age divisions of the New Haven Steeler teams.

Jeramie White, one of the assistant coaches, himself grew up in the Pop Warner system. He went on to play for the 2006 Hillhouse High School state championship team. He called the group very deep and ​“very smart.”

Beginning at 5 years old, the team has 282 kids in six age categories: the Tiny Mites, the Mighty Mites, Jr. Pee Wees, Pee Wees, Jr. Midgets, and the oldest kids, the 13 to 15 year-old Midgets. The divisions serve as a training ground for some high school stars like White. Three out of four of the MVPs at the Thanksgiving Day Elm City Bowl between Hillhouse and Cross high schools are products of the New Haven Steeler/Pop Warner system.

“The kids put their soul into it, kids and parents,” said team Vice-President Joseph Roach.

While other New Haven Steeler teams have gone to the nationals, this group is the first in the Pee Wees category to go. ​“We finally got the jinx off,” said Cherry.

The defense has allowed in total only 30 points to be scored against the team in 12 games.

The Steelers have been averaging 34 points a game, with the highest score being 48.

After the team ran through the basics and the new plays to foil the opposition, the coaches handed out the individual medals from the regional championship game.

As he did so, he congratulated Kwane Taylor, a 12-year-old who attends Ross-Woodward School. Because of the effect of his hard tackles, coach called Kwane ​“Mr. Lights Out.”

“One family, one team, together,” all the kids called out in unison, reciting their team motto.

Both Kareem and Justice said they are pumped and confident for this weekend. Naturally, they want to play football in high school and are already thinking about what colleges they will play for. Kareem said he has his eye on LSU, Justice on Michigan.

When their playing days are over (!), Kareem, who attends the St. Martin De Porres Academy in the Hill, said he wants to run a shoe company — because somebody has to take over from Michael Jordan.

Justice is a student at Elm City College Prep. He says he has learned how the body works from all the tackling and running. When he retires from football, he plans to be a surgeon.

First, however, they must get on the bus to ESPN Sports Complex at Disneyworld early Friday morning for the biggest game of their lives.

The cost of the transportation and hotel for the week of play for the kids is $36,000 according to club president Reggie Lytle. All coaches, club board members, and parents go down to help and root on their own nickel.

Those interested in donating to the Southern Connecticut Pop Warner New Haven Steelers Club can contact Lytle at 203 – 809-2932.