Northampton (PA) vs. Mandarin (FL)

"Tigers Claw Indians! ”

The Mandarin Tigers , with their flair for passing, as well as a disciplined inside running, tangled with the hard-hitting Northampton Indians Wednesday in a Pop Warner - Jr. Pee Wee Division 1 semi-final game at Disney Wide World of Sports.

The Tigers started off the game by pushing down the field and eating up the clock. The drive included a crucial 4th and 2 conversion on the Indians 26 yard line. On the very next play, the Tigers connected on a 26 yard pass-and-run for the first score of the game. The PAT was no good and the Tigers were on top by a score of 6-0 with 3:53 to go in the first quarter.

Northampton bounced right back. They recovered the ensuing onside kick on their own 45 yard line and drove downfield to the Tigers 25 as the first quarter ended.

At the start of the second quarter, a pass interference call set the Indians up on the Tiger's 11 yard line. From there, Northampton drove to a first down on the Mandarin 1 yard line. The Indians punched it into the end zone on the next play. The one point PAT was good and, with 7:31 go in the first half , Northampton grabbed the lead at 7-6.

The Tigers jumped right back. though, taking the ensuing kickoff to the Northampton 46 yard line. Three outstanding, tackle-breaking runs brought the ball down to the Northampton 14 yard line. A well-executed trap play brought the ball to the Indians 10 yard line. Then, on the next play , the Tigers drove into the end zone for their second touchdown. The PAT was unsuccessful and the score, with 4:25 to go in the half, stood Mandarin 12 – Northampton 7.

The opportunistic Tigers then recovered an onside kick to set them up at the 50 yard line. Driving into Northampton territory, the Tigers completed a 26 yard pass over the middle bringing the ball down to the Indians one yard line. Then, with 28 seconds left in the half, the Tigers running back swept left and, ducking behind a key block, roared into the end zone. The try for a two-point PAT was no good. Northampton took the kickoff and fired ahead on a 15 yard run. But the clock ran out and at the half, the score stood Mandarin 18-Northampton 7.

In the third quarter, Northampton took possession. But the Tiger defense held. Pushing downfield, the Tiger offense connected on an 18 yard play action pass. But the Northampton defense returned the favor by stuffing the drive. The rest of the third quarter. and most of the fourth, became a see-saw battle as both offenses drove into enemy territory, only to be stopped by key defensive stands. Then, with 6:00 left in the game, the Tigers connected on a 15 yard touchdown pass. The PAT fell short and the score mounted to Tigers 25-Indians 7. Northampton fought back, but the Tigers intercepted an Indian pass with 5:09 to go and ran out the clock to preserve its 25-7 victory.

Congratulations to the Mandarin Tigers on a great win. They now go on to play the tough La Miranda Blue Matadores in the Pop Warner Division 1 Jr. Pee Wee National Championship game on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. Congratulation as well to the Northampton Indians on a great run in this year's Pop Warner National Championships at Disney Wide World of Sports .