The players on the Michigan City Pop Warner team that advanced to Nationals in Florida enjoyed the experience of a lifetime early this month. The Wolves escaped from the chilly weather by soaking up the sun in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The team advanced all the way to the Division II Junior Pee Wee Championship game, before falling to the Tacolcy (Fla.) Red Raiders 30-13 on Dec. 7.
“We are all very excited and proud of the great things happening in Florida for our three (two cheer, one football) teams there,” Michigan City Pop Warner President Dave Spangler said. “Leo [Martorono] and his staff are amazing with these kids.”
The Wolves rattled off 13 wins leading up to the championship game and finished with a record of 13-1. During the 13 game streak, Michigan City averaged 30 points per game while surrendering only two points per game. The defense totaled a remarkable eight shutouts.
The road to the championship included a 38-6 rout of the New Hampshire Bedford Bulldogs in the opening round and an 18-8 downing of Hawaii Manoa to secure a spot in the Pop Warner Super Bowl.
The path to the Pop Warner Super Bowl also went through Independence, Mo. where the Wolves knocked off the Patriots 36-6 in a sub-Regional contest. The challenging trek continued with a visit to Bolingbrook, Ill., where Michigan City topped the Ohio Shaker Fire 6-0 to capture the Regional crown.
“Our young men have demonstrated class and sportsmanship on and off the field during this successful run,” Martorono said. “Half of the players are academic scholars. The emphasis on grades and professionalism with discipline has shown on the field, in the classroom and at home. These young men are champions in the game of life.”
The team was able to travel to Orlando for the Super Bowl by virtue of rigorous fundraising efforts and overwhelming support from the community.
“Special thanks to our community, our fans and our great coaching staff in helping shape these young men into great young men,” Martorano said. “Coach Pam Clarkson, our great team mom, has been extremely instrumental in helping these young men along the way.”
The Wolves roster was comprised of Cade Clarkson, Isaiah Collins, Antonio Conley Jr., Evan Foerg, Sergei Ganz, Jason Green Jr., Bryce Hayman, Marquon Hurt, Wyatt Kmiecik, Corey Loper, Solomon Martin, Braxton Martorano, Lyric McFarrin, Kameron Muhammad, Seth Newenhouse, Zakary Owatze, Tyler Siegmund, Branden Tepper, Amerian Wilborn, Zennon Wilhelm and Leonard Young Jr.
Martorano’s staff of assistant coaches was made up of Kevin Clarkson, Craig Foerg, Gregg Hayman, Glenn Miles, Lawrence McFarrin, Corey Loper and Ken Nowatze.
Martorano praised the young men that he coached this season by describing them as people who display class, sportsmanship, discipline and professionalism.