Dr. Phillips (FL) vs. Oak Grove (CA)

In one of the Pee Wee semifinal games the Dr. Phillips Panthers of Florida played the Oak Grove Eagles of California. This game was sure to be a great game and lived up to that expectation right down to the end. The Eagles scored fast with the first possession of the game scoring a touchdown followed by a PAT to put them up 8-0. The Eagles added another touchdown with a nice 20 yard catch with a great run after the catch to put them up 14-0. The Eagles missed the PAT. Coach Cumming of the Eagles showed a surprising formation that had two players lined up in quarterback position leaving the defending team uncertain who was to take the snap. Cumming has used this formation in previous years in his past five appearances at Pop Warner Super Bowl which has helped him win three National Championships.

The Panthers were able to score two touchdowns in the second quarter to bring the game to a 14-12 Eagles lead going into the half. The Panthers struck first in the second half with a 22-yard touchdown run up the middle followed by a PAT to put the Panthers up 20-14. The Eagles were able to tie the game up at 20-20 before the end of the 3 rd quarter with a 63 yard run. Neither team was able to punch in a score until after the Eagles picked off a Panthers pass and marched the ball all the way down the field to score a one-yard touchdown run. The Eagles successfully kicked a PAT to put them up 28-20 late in the fourth. The Panthers marched down the field, but were not able to tie the game up.

The game ended 28-20 with the Panthers advancing to the finals. Following the game, the Eagle's Cumming stated, “I knew this was going to be a close game that would come down to who had the ball last.”