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Sunday, December 3, 2006:

Sunday Morning, December 2, 2006 – Disney's Wide World of Sports

At last, the big day is here! The fog's lifting off All-Star Sports Resorts. Bacon and eggs are sizzling on the griddle at Port of New Orleans. The team buses are fired up and ready to roll. Time to jump-up, suit-up and get your game-faces on . It's opening day of Pop Warner Super Bowl Week- the 50 th Anniversary edition. And, for players, coaches, families and friends, THIS is the day you've been waiting for all season!

Hi, Pop Warner Family and Friends, Bob Field here with the first of my ”Field Notes”. This year, I'm covering the action and the magic of Pop Warner's National Championships at Disney's Wide World of Sports from a fan's point of view. And, here's the deal. Since I have a special “All Event Media Pass”, I'm going to take you on the ultimate fan's trip to Pop Warner Nationals. That's right, we're headed behind the scenes, onto the field, into the bleachers and more as I discover what makes the 50 th Anniversary Pop Warner Super Bowl the greatest week of youth sports, competition and camaraderie in America ! Sound cool ? Okay then, here we go!

The first thing you have to remember when you head down to Disney World in December is to bring your sun-screen and plenty of water! Trust me on both. The weather down here is, more often than not, anything but “wintry”. This morning, with brilliant blue skies and temps hovering around 80 degrees, Central Florida weather was true form as the lush green turf of Hess Playing Fields at Disney's Wide World of Sports welcomed big-time crowds to the first four games of Pop Warner Super Bowl Week.

Now, as a fan, you need to take a close look at what games you want to see each day of gridiron play, because, believe me, the tilts are non-stop . Keep in mid, we have 64 teams squaring off in Pop Warner National Championships runs. So, game days run from early morning to late afternoon. The “best of the best” are here in Jr. Pee Wee, Pee Wee, Jr. Midget and Midget age and weight categories. And , on top of that, you have both Division I and Division II teams to catch. So, if it's your home team that's playing, that's a no brainer. You'll “be there or be square”, rooting like crazy as your kids pour their hearts out on that field. But, when your guys don't have a game on any given day, do yourself a fan-favor. Take a look at the big bracket board on the Wide World complex, pick a couple of teams, walk on over to that field and watch the amazing fun.

For my first selection of the week, I head over to see the Conestoga (PA) Generals play the East Bay (Oakland, CA) Wranglers in a Jr. Pee Wee Division I contest. Man oh man, I could not have picked a better game! At the half , these two teams have battled to a score of Generals 13- Wranglers 12, and from the buzz all around the sidelines I can tell the fans know they were watching something truly special.

“I've been following Conestoga all season , and they are a classy bunch, “ states Lavey Ford, whose brother Andre Ford coaches the Marshall Heights Bison team that's headed into Midget Division I play later today. “ The Generals coaches and kids never give up. And, if you want to see great sportsmanship ? They have it!” Wow! Great props from a Pop Warner follower who knows the score up Maryland way.

“Very clearly, both teams are very well-coached,” says Earl Wilson from the Generals fired-up cheering section. “ The team that wants it more is going to win this one.“ The East Bay's fans concur. “ I think our chances are pretty good,” said Amber Blackwell from the Wrangler Rooters , “But, Conestoga is a formidable team. Usually, we shut out teams by this time. But, now we're down a point and all the parents are nervous. We're pretty scrappy though, that's why they call us the ‘Wranglers' and ….shoot !” Annette suddenly reacts in dismay to a stumble by one of the Wranglers on the opening series of the second half. “Sorry,” smiles Amber, “ but, that was my child out there who just made that mistake . Oh well, he's trying hard and he just got excited” That's okay, Amber. Who's not excited as this high-powered game rolls on?

Don't blink or you'll miss something! Midway through the third quarter, the East Bay quarterback drops back and suddenly launches a beautiful spiraling pass that hits his wideout receiver perfectly in stride inroute to a 55 yard TD . The point after is no good, yet the Wranglers are up 18-13.

But, the Generals turn right around and answer with a drive of their own. Spurred by great outside running and a nifty 28 yard pass over the middle, they roll down to the Wranglers 1 yard line as the 3 rd quarter ends.

At the start of the fourth quarter, the Generals punch it into the East Bay end zone. Their PAT makes it Conestoga 20- East Bay 13,

Now, one thing to keep in mind as you watch a great game in Pop Warner championship play, is that every team here is already a championship team. They have one conference titles, sectionals, states…you name it, they've won it. So, at Pop Warner Super Bowl Week, every team wants to win, to advance, and to get a crack at the national championship in their brackets. After all , this is a dream week come true for everybody. That's why no team ever caves –in regardless of a turn in the score. Watch for surprises when you're a fan of Pop Warner. And, this morning's game is full of them! For instance, just when you think Conestoga has grabbed the momentum going into this last quarter, the Wranglers march back downfield, scoring on spectacular 50 yard end-run to regain the lead at 24-20. Wow ! That HAS to be the end of the fireworks, right! Wrong!

With the clock running down to 2:00 minutes left this great game, Conestoga took over on its own 35 yard line and began an amazing drive. Two big runs for a first down. Then, a halfback reverse for another first down. But, after a time out for a water break, the Wranglers defense suddenly stiffens. Uh oh, look out! With 4 th down and 17 yard to go on the East Bay 30 yard line, and 19 seconds left to go, the Generals uncork a pass down the right sidelines that's complete and out of bounds on the East Bay eleven yard line! But, a running play is stuffed. Time out with five seconds left. Oh my gosh… Time for one last play! The Conestoga quarterback fades and fires. Yikes! It's picked-off by an alert Wrangler defensive back! The whistle sounds. Drive over, game over, the Wranglers win! East Bay survives a classic showdown with Conestoga by a score of 24-20! Hey, “UCLA-USC” has nothing on these two gutsy Pop Warner Jr. Pee Wee teams!

The aftermath of this great game is handshakes and goodwill shown by, and to, all these super kids, coaches and fans. Sure, somebody has to win and somebody has to lose. But, what an incredible effort by everybody from both East Bay and Conestoga .

“We finally woke up. Now, we're realizing just how good everybody is down here – everybody's 12 and O ,” said an exhausted and thankful Coach Levy of the Wranglers. “ You're not gonna see many kid's game like that”, agreed Conestoga coach Paul Delsinor “ You really don't know much about these teams you're playing down here, their strengths and weaknesses. You just know they're all good. This is a great experience. “ You bet it is , Coach!

“Good golly, Miss Molly! “ What a start to the day, and the week, at Disney's Wide World of Sports. Excuse me while I head for a cold bottle of water More “Field Notes” later this afternoon. Let the games begin!