That’s New Haven’s Steelers. Running back Tayvon Harris and his undefeated teammates are not letting the recession get in the way of their dreams.
Harris (at left in photo) and the New Haven (Pop Warner Football League) Steelers are headed to Orlando this weekend. If they can defeat Florida-region opponents on Sunday and Texas-region opponents Wednesday, they will advance to the Super Bowl on Saturday, competing to be the best 10 to 13 year-old football team in the nation.
Their division is called the “junior midgets.”
Their mighty achievement thus far also comes with a mighty bill to pay, some $35,000 to get the team to Orlando and back.
At a reception at City Hall Thursday afternoon, the mayor and Newhallville Alderwoman Alfreda Edwards helped give the kids a rousing sendoff. The mayor suggested the city would work with the team, as it has done in the past, to make the financial side possible, although he was not specific.
The recession has hit the team hard, according to Coach William Baines (pictured at the top of this story) and “Team Mom” Sylvia Hagans. She’s responsible for making all the calls, organizing the equipment, the travel, and the volunteer participation of all the other parents.
“I estimate,” she said, “that 15 of the 33 families have one parent and sometimes two who are out of work. It’s definitely more of a struggle this year.”
Through the concession stand at Bowen Field practices and family contributions, $5,000 of the estimated $35,000 has been raised. So there’s still a lot of financial yardage to make up. Club Vice President Reginald Lytle planned to speak with the mayor after the sendoff, and that he was hopeful.
The Steelers’ soft-spoken coach, William Baines, reached for superlatives to describe his kids and their 13 – 0 season. “They are disciplined, studious, energetic… but the real secret is the way they have come together, as friends, having sleepovers at each others’ houses, working as one.”
It’s an achievement for the young athletes, Baines explained, that might also have something to do with, in his 15 years’ experience, exceptional chemistry and academic achievement
“I’d say the grade point average of these kids is over a B, maybe even a B plus. Our motto is no books, no ball. It takes real intelligence to play the game, and the way we’ve won up to now against pretty strong opponents is by making smart adjustments at half time. Sometimes the kids make suggestions to me, but then they go out and implement.”
“It’s not unusual to see kids doing homework on the sidelines,” said Lytle. “If there are 22 kids on the field, 11 could be doing their homework. We are talking to the teachers all the time, and if a kid has a project do, for example, that always comes first.”
It’s clear the team is about a lot more than football. Baines said that all the kids have their school work for the week in advance. Study hall in Orlando is mandated between practices and games.
Tayvon Harris, his fellow running back Harold Cooper, and center Jovan Cepedea (center) were asked if they planned to drop by the Green after the ceremony to participate in the city’s official tree lighting and to enjoy some pre-Christmas fun. They smiled, then shrugged. “No,” said the coach, “we’re all headed for practice.”
Donations great and small, say team officials, are welcome and needed and should be sent to: New Haven Pop Warner Youth Football, care of Melvin Wells/181 Tanglewood Drive, Hamden, CT 06518. The contact is Reginald Lytle (203 – 809-2932)
I'm very pround of these fine young men I've have watch them grow because my son plays for the steelers to.And he played on the jr pee wee with some of the guys.We all should be happy these young guys are doing something great not on the street.So Parents pat your self on the back for a job well done weather its two parents or one parent.
Steeler go down there and play your best.
Gods got your back.