The Division I Junior PeeWee Forestview Steelers (Jacksonville) defeated the Overtown Tornadoes (South Florida) last week 13-6 to win the SE Regional Pop Warner Championship. The Championship is considered the Florida Title as the two best teams in Florida battled for the crown. Forestview would represent the Great Jacksonville Pop Warner league well, prevailing thanks to their always stout defense and big play offense. For Head Coach Eric Wesley, it was a big win against a very good opponent.
“That team was very prepared and a very good team. When they scored the boys were a little upset but the leaders we have on the team they are off the charts. They said this is not the first time we’ve been behind”
– Head Eric Coach Wesley
Early on Forestview found themselves in a hole as QB Fermin Liviningston and WR Xavier Irvin connect on a 80 yard touchdown pass and reception to put Overtown up 6-0. Overtown capitalized on a fumble by Forestview deep in Tornado territory.
Freddie Manning would start the game off with a big kick return that the Steelers could not turn into points. This was the case for most of the first quarter for Forestview who have customarily started slow all season. But just as they’ve done all season, they wear teams down with defense and discipline. The defense held Overtown scoreless for the rest of the game, and the Steelers scored twice. QB Chris Calhoun scored on a QB sneak, and threw a big pass to WR Freddie Manning. Manning and Calhoun would lead their team to the title on the afternoon.
Congrats to the Jr. PeeWee ForestView Steelers for their berth into the 2015 PopWarner Superbowl @DisneySports . @DuvalSports
— PHILL-DuvalSports (@dreamkingfilmz) November 27, 2015
Now Forestview will try to take Nationals as they face the Naperville Chargers at the ESPN Wide World of Sports at Disney in Orlando Florida Sunday December 6th. Naperville has won two Illinois state titles. They won their regional playoff championship to advance to Disney. They head to Disney with lots of experience and grit. They’ve played in harsh elements which makes them a tough team. It should be interesting to see how they respond to the Florida Sun and the Forestview Heat.
The Steelers feel confident that they have tasted the sting of defeat from last year which has driven them to success this year. And though they are undefeated this season, they still play the role as underdogs. This attitude keeps a chip on their shoulder going out each and every week with something to prove.
” Last year after we lost the city championship to Grandpark and we jumped out on them but they came back, we told them that you have to play four quarters. This year we shocked the city, shocked the state now it’s time to shock the nation”
– Offensive Coordinator Deante Hampton Sr.
Let’s get ready for some football as the Forestview Steelers look to bring a National Champipnship home to Duval!
Please click the picture below to donate to the Forestview Steelers Junior Peewee Football team GoFundMe Account, sponsoring their trip to the Pop Warner Nationals.
(DuvalSports LLC is not affiliated with the Forestview Athletic association, Greater Jacksonville Pop Warner, or the Forestview Steelers Gofundme account)
