By Tamas Mondovics
Taking one step closer to reaching its goals for the season, the FishHawk Wolfpack Junior Pee-Wee (JRPW) (8-1) football team enjoyed its first ever playoff victory.
Lead by Head Coach Charles Reed II, the JRPW team defeated its Division 2 rival Manatee Wildcats 28-12 to win the first round of the Pop Warner Division 2 playoffs.
“I am very proud of the boys,” Reed said following the game. “They have played hard as a team, all of which is the result of showing up for every practice, commitment and dedication to the program on the part of every player.”
Entering the playoffs, hosted by the Wolfpack at the FishHawk Sports Complex in Lithia, as the number one seed, Reed’s boys took charge of the game right from the start, stacking the points on the scoreboard with one touchdown after another.
The full-roster, 35-member team with a strong lineup of players including, Ian Jolly, Bryson Martin, Malachi Drayton and Isaiah Reed, was unstoppable giving parents, volunteers and fans hugging the sidelines a nice Saturday afternoon youth football treat.
Reed emphasized that while the JRPW football team is known for its strong defense and running game, facing the Wildcats was the right time to mix things up a bit and push some of the team’s passing plays, which have clearly proved successful.
Advancing to the next round, the JRPW’s season is far from over.
“Our number one goal was to make it to the playoffs,” Reed said adding, “We are now just one game away from accomplishing our second goal; winning the conference. Of course the last item on the list is to become Pop Warner State Champions.”
FishHawk Wolfpack President Ingrid Velazquez spoke highly of the players along with coaches and volunteers, which she has expressed in an online news release to all Wolfpack families.
“What an awesome season,” Velazquez said. “I want to congratulate the JRPW football team on making it to the first round of the Division 2 playoffs.”
For more information, visit www.fishhawkwolfpack.com.
