Laurel Hurricanes Maryland State Champions
October 30, 2005 | By Charmaine Yoest
Pop Warner Football
We won!! The Laurel Hurricanes won the Maryland State Championship and will be advancing to the Regional competition next week in Pennsylvania. The goal -- on to the Superbowl at Disneyworld in December!
In fact, the celebration tonight was tinged with a timeline. "I love you guys," said Coach Bell, "but only 'till Tuesday. Then it's back to work." Tonight was a fantastic win, but these kids have been dreaming of -- no, really working toward -- making it to Florida all season long.
State Champions!!
Though it was hard to say who was happier, the kids or the coaches tonight. They both earned it. It's a privilege to be on this team, and really interesting to watch how these coaches have negotiated between giving each kid a pat on the back when he deserves it -- and a kick in the backside when needed. . . they are ten years old after all.
We asked Coach Bell what he did to produce such winners year after year.
"Discipline," said Bell, a former Marine. "[We] teach the boys to listen and learn on the field and listen and learn in the classroom."
He also teaches them to win.
Laurel Hurricanes, Maryland
But teamwork starts with fun. To begin the pattern of listening and learning as a team, Coach Bell taught the boys the Hurricane's post-game celebration chant. The Breakdown.
And here it is. Courtesy of the Dreamer, we've got a 0.41 second clip of the Hurricanes doin' the Breakdown.
Did I mention: the State Champion Hurricanes??!!
Julius Weems and Bob Washington
Mom and Dad at the game
Comments
Wow...congratulations! Today is my son's last Pop Warner game, the end of his first tackle season. A win today will give the Mustangs a winning record, nowhere near Laurel Hurricane status, but satisfying nonetheless to a bunch of 9 year-olds. The season was a struggle for many boys but thanks to coaches with proper balance (like the Dude's), my firstborn is ending the season an even better-behaved, disciplined 9 year-old versus the X-box-crazed and slightly snarky 8 year-old that started in August. Pop Warner is a GREAT organization that, if handled correctly, can develop amazing young men. Go Hurricanes! We'll be rooting for you!
Posted by: cate | October 30, 2005 7:07 AM
This is great news! Congratulations to all of you for the hard work! May you win even more :)
Posted by: Stacy L. Harp | October 30, 2005 10:30 AM
Congrats! I'm so happy for you! Wish I could have seen the game.
Posted by: Carol | October 30, 2005 10:06 PM