DC Hosts the Eastern Regional Championship for the First Time in Pop Warner History, Four Division 1 DPR Pop Warner Football Teams to Compete

DPR Customer Service: (202) 673-7647
DPR DC Pop Warner:  Kevin Clark (202) 671-0302 or (202) 498-2243
DPR Media Contact: John Stokes (202) 288-7275, [email protected]
        
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – On Friday, November 23 and Saturday, November 24, 2012, the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) will host the 56th Annual Pop Warner Eastern Regional Championship Finals for Division 1 and Division 2 teams at Eastern Senior High School (1700 East Capitol St., NE - Washington, DC 20003).   The Division 3 Eastern Regional Championship Finals will be held on Sunday, November 25, 2012 at Souderton Area High School in Souderton, PA.  For 3 years, DPR has sent teams to compete in the Pop Warner Eastern Regional Championship Finals, however this is the first year in Pop Warner's history, that the Eastern Regional Championship Final game will be held in our Nation's Capital.

"This is an exciting time for DPR's Pop Warner teams.  Not only is this the first time that the District has hosted the Eastern Regional Championship Final games, but it is also the first time DPR has had an entire Division, four teams, competing to go to the Pop Warner Super Bowl in Florida," said DPR Director Jesús Aguirre.  "We are proud of the sportsmanship and dedication that these teams have shown on the field.  As well as their commitment to academics off the field.  I look forward to all the games this weekend and wish all of the teams the best of luck."

The Pop Warner Eastern Regional Championship Final games schedule for the weekend is as follows: 

• Friday, November 23rd Title Games
  • 9:30 am - Division 2 Jr. PeeWee - Sayreville Leprechauns vs. Enon Eagles
  • 12 pm - Division 2 Midget - Enon Eagles vs. Mo Betta Jaguars
  • 2:30 pm - Division 1 PeeWee - Valley Stallions vs. Frederick Steelers
  • 4:30 pm - Division 1 Jr. Midget - Lenape Valley Indians vs. Southside Cyclones

• Saturday, November 24th Title Games
  • 9:30 am - Division 1 Jr. PeeWee - Northwest Raiders (PA) vs. Watkins Hornets (DPR team)
  • 12 pm - Division 1 Midget - Northwest Raiders (PA) vs. Watkins Hornets (DPR team)
  • 2 pm - Division 1 Jr. Midget -  CYA Gators (PA) vs. Marshall Heights Bison (DPR team)
  • 4 pm - Division 1 PeeWee -  North Philly Aztecs (PA) vs. Beacon House Falcons (DPR team)

Traditionally, Pop Warner's Eastern Region is divided up into three categories - Division 1, Division 2, and Division 3, and these divisions are based on the number of teams in the league.   Each division is then divided into team categories - Jr. PeeWee, PeeWee, Jr. Midget, and Midget.  These team categories are based on the players age and weight.   The winning teams from this weekends Eastern Regional Championship Finals will advance to the 56th Annual Pop Warner Super Bowl at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, during the week of November 30 - December 8.  The Annual Pop Warner Super Bowl brings together all seven regions for a week of football, camaraderie and fun and a victory this weekend would mark the 4th year that a DPR team has advanced to the Pop Warner Super Bowl.

DPR is only one of two recreation departments in the country to hold a Pop Warner charter and for the past 3 consecutive years, DPR's Pop Warner teams have taken home the Pop Warner Super Bowl National title.  In 2011, the Marshall Heights PeeWee team won the Pop Warner Super Bowl National Title and Beacon House Jr. PeeWee team were the National Runner-Up Champions; in 2010, the Beacon House Jr PeeWee team won the Pop Warner Super Bowl National Title and the Watkins Jr. Midgets were the National Runner-Up Champions; and in 2009, the Watkins PeeWee team won the Pop Warner Super Bowl National Title.

"I am proud that Pop Warner has made such strides, and the amazing support of all the coaches and parents, as they share in the responsibility to keep the organization top notch in the Pop Warner League, has been second to none," said DPR Assistant Athletic Director and Pop Warner DC President Kevin Clark.  "My staff and all the DPR Pop Warner teams have worked very hard this year and we are all looking forward to some great games this weekend."

Over 68 DPR teams competed in this year Pop Warner football league, and many of the teams that have advanced to play in the Eastern Regional Championship Finals have had some impressive records and stats this 2012 season.  The Watkins Hornets (D1 Junior PeeWee) finished the regular season with a 6-0-1 record and in last week's final game, they held off the White Oak Warriors (MD) to a shut out, with a final score of 13-0; the Watkins Hornets (D1 Midgets) finished the regular season with a 6-1 record; the Beacon House Falcons (D1 PeeWee) finished the regular season with a 7-0 record ; and the Marshall Heights Bison (D1 Jr. Midget) finished the regular season with a 6-1 record and in last week's Finals game, they held off the South County Chargers (MD) as well, with a final score of 28-0. 

Founded in 1929, Pop Warner Football is the only youth football program (local, regional, and national) that sets and enforces a strict age and weight matrix which reduces the risk of injuries. Pop Warner is also the only national youth sports organization that requires its participants to maintain academic standards in order to participate.  To learn more about the Pop Warner program, visit Pop Warner Regional or Pop Warner National websites.

To learn more about DPR's Pop Warner DC program, visit DPR's Pop Warner website page or contact
the DC Pop Warner Football League office at (202) 671-0302 or (202) 498-2243.  

    
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