2004 National Championships - White Oak Warriors 20, Dale City Cowboys 16

The crowd filed into the Wide World of Sports Complex today to see the matchup of powerhouse, East Coast teams, and they were in for a treat. The White Oak Warriors and the Dale City Cowboys were in town to do battle for the most coveted crown in Pop Warner football; the Division I Midget National Championship. White Oak today was on its game again, and managed to hold off the defending champion Dale City Cowboys by the final of 20-16.

"Those are tears of joy, not tears of sadness but pure tears of joy, said an elated Coach Mike Wills as he saw the faces of his players. "Our kids have never won a Pop Warner championship and today was their day." In one of the best played Pop Warner Super Bowl games ever, Coach Wills' mighty White Oak Warriors of Maryland had their day all right, defeating last year's defending champion Dale City Cowboys 20-16 in a thrilling a national title game.

The fireworks went off, the smoke filled the sidelines, and both teams emerged through it ready for today's game, each confident they would come out on top. The pre-game festivities were once agin crowd-appealing, led by an amazing fireworks display, followed by the national anthem led by a Jacksonville Color Guard, and was capped off with the ceremonial coin toss, done by this year's Butkus Award winner, Derric Johnson from the University of Texas. I think a tone was set when White Oak won the toss, however, deferred the ball until the second half..."we were in a for a duel!"

The Cowboys took the field in their traditional black and gold uniforms, while the Warriors were in their all white jerseys as the away team. You could tell from the start that both teams were poised.

This highly anticipated Pop Warner Midget National title game had been the talk of the week with Pop Warner supporters. The thousands of fans who enjoyed this week's football action at Disney's Wide World of Sports saw both Dale City and White Oak battle their way through the quarter-finals, then the semi-finals, to set up a helmet-to-helmet clash in the championships.

As the crowds filed into the stands at Hess Field on this bright and blustery afternoon, most knew that the Cowboys had reached the championship in typical hard-nosed, never-give-up Dale City fashion. Cowboy fans knew their team had built up incredible momentum through a taut semi-final overtime win over the powerful Gould Rams of Miami, Florida. In that game it had taken a fourth down goal line stand to preserve a narrow 28-22 win. White Oak fans, on the hand, knew that their hard charging offense had scored well over 300 points, while their rock ribbed defense had held opposing teams to a total of 14 points , over their own incredible season and march to the finals! Knowing all that still left most Pop Warner fans wondering, "Who will take control first in the National Title game?" and "Who will be on top when the final whistle blows?"

The answer to the first question came early in today's championship game. With about 3:00 left to go in the first quarter, Dale City was forced to punt from deep in their own territory. The Warriors took over on the Cowboys 33 yard line. A quarterback- keeper put the ball to the Cowboy 20 yard line. Then, the Warrior tailback took the ball on a quick opener and drove down to the Dale City eight. On the next play, the Warrior tailback again crashed off tackle, this time driving into the end zone for the first touchdown. The kick for the extra point was perfect and the first quarter ended with the score White Oak 8 - Dale City 0.

In the second quarter, the Warriors again drove into Cowboy territory. But the tough Dale City defense held on downs at their own 19 yard line. Then, with 4:00 minutes to go in the half, the Cowboys mounted their own drive. With first down on the Warriors 49 yard line, the Cowboy quarterback connected with his wide receiver who pulled down the ball with a beautiful leaping catch to put the Cowboys on the White Oak 21 yard line . The Warrior defense held on two line plunges. But on third and nine from the Warrior 21 yard line, the Dale City quarterback rolled right and fired a perfect strike to his halfback slanting left into the end zone for a touchdown. The extra point kick was also perfect, and this great game was tied up at 8 - 8.

That's when lightning struck the defending Pop Warner Midget Champs. The White Oak deep back took a booming kickoff on his own 35 yard line, got behind a wall of blockers, popped through a hole in the middle of the field, and was off on a 65 yard touchdown scamper. The extra point try was blocked and the score at the half stood White Oak 14- Dale City 8.

The halftime festivities continued to grow at the Pop Warner Super Bowl. This year's show featured the University High School marching band, who performed a special christmas-edition rendition for the Pop Warner 75th Year Anniversary. Once done, the crowd was entertained by Pop and R & B Princess RyanJoy!, who marvelled the crowd with her magic voice and rythems of her and her dancers. The performance was followed by the traditional tug-of-war competition at midfield.

As the third quarter opened, the Warriors took the kickoff on their own 42 and began a ball control drive. In two quick rushes, the moved the ball down field to the Cowboys 15 yard line. Another line plunge took the ball to the Dale City seven. Then on 3 rd down and goal to go, the Warriors tore through the line for their third touchdown. The extra point kick was no good and with 6:15 left in the third the score stood White Oak 20 and Dale City 8.

But the Cowboys were far from out of this game. Late in the quarter, the Cowboys held the Warriors deep in their own territory. With 4 th and seven on the 12 yard line, the Cowboys defense stormed through and blocked the White Oak punt a recovering the rolling Spalding on the Warrior three. Then, with third down and goal-to-go, the Dale City quarterback drove straight ahead and into the end zone for the second Cowboy touchdown. The extra point try was no-good and the score at the end of third quarter stood White Oak 20 and Dale City 14.

With both teams holding up four fingers indicating that the final quarter would be theirs , fans from both sides roaring out their encouragement. Midway through the final stanza, White Oak dodged a bullet . On a hard hit, the ball squirted out of the arms of the Warrior ball carrier and the Cowboys recovered on the White Oak 23 yard line. On a quarterback keeper, the Cowboys marched to the White Oak 17. But, on the next play, the Cowboys coughed up the rock , and the Warriors grabbed it back . In their own ensuing drive, the Warriors moved the ball out to the 38 yard line before being held on downs. A quarterback keeper, followed by a slashing tailback run to the left side of the Warrior defense put the Cowboys in business on the Warrior 15 yard line. But the White Oak defense stiffened. Then on fourth down, Dale City's quarterback rolled out and spotted a receiver breaking toward the goal line. But the pass went just inches over the fingertips of his target, and the Warriors took over on downs.

With only 2:00 left in the game, the Warriors opted to run into their own end zone for a safety. That play made the score White Oak 20 and Dale City 16. But, it also gave the Warriors the opportunity to pin the Cowboys back in their own territory with a free kick.

After Dale City fielded that free kick on the 50 yard line, they had one last shot at pulling off a dramatic victory. But White Oak's pressing defense covered the Dale City receivers and swarmed the Cowboy ball carriers. As the clock ran out, White Oak's sidelines whooped it up. The Warriors had secured their championship…their first Pop Warner National …by a score of 20-16.

Congratulations to both White Oak and Dale City on a great game. Standing in the light spilling across the field at Disney Wide World of Sports and watching players from both teams shaking hands, embracing each other, and sharing the accomplishments of this fantastic afternoon, and this great week, you knew that something special was happening here.

You knew that the love of players and coaches and fans from all side display within the Pop Warner Family is something that no other youth sports experience can match. "Sportsmanship, respect, honor and the will to excel" are alive and well in 2004, as they have been every season in this the 75 th anniversary season of Pop Warner. Thanks to everyone for a great year and a great Pop Warner Super Bowl Week at Disney. Hope to see you all at Disney World again for Pop Warner - 2005 !

###

Media Contact: Joel Balthaser, (407) 939-1251 ; Bob Field, Jr. bfield@bostonproductions.com


	© 2004 popwarner.com. Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc. All rights reserved.
	Contact Us Help Privacy Policy Terms and Conditions