SEYMOUR — For the first time in over 20 years, the Seymour Tigers Pop Warner organization is sending a team to the National Championship tournament in Florida. Seymour Pop Warner, which was recognized earlier this year with the 2022 Sportmanship Award from the Western Connecticut Football Officials for outstanding sportsmanship by players and coaches, is now bringing their classy style of play to Orlando to compete for a national title.
Following a 7 – 1 regular season (their only loss being their opening game against Oxford) the 13U Tigers team made up of 7th and 8th graders advanced into the Northern Pop Warner playoffs riding a seven game winning streak. Their stifling defense was tops in the league, allowing only 75 points over the regular season, and it would continue to dominate the opponents in the postseason.
Their first playoff test was against a solid Brookfield team, who, despite the Seymour defensive strength, led the Tigers 13 – 0 going into the 4th quarter of that game. The Tigers would not be denied, and scored early in the 4th and again in the last seconds of the game to come away with the win. The Northern Connecticut Pop Warner Championship game was next, and standing in the way of victory was the team that handed them their only defeat thus far, Oxford. The Tigers got off to a strong start, scoring early and often. Despite a strong Oxford running game and a potent defense, the Tigers of Seymour were too much for the Oxford Wolverines, controlling the game to a 30 – 8 victory, and the Northern CT Championship.
Having won the Northern Connecticut Pop Warner Championship, the Tigers next opponent would be the champions of Southern Connecticut Pop Warner, the Stratford Bulls. These two teams met on Saturday at New Milford High School for the New England Regional Championship; the winners gaining a berth to the Pop Warner “Super Bowl” National Tournament in Orlando, Florida.
The game started Seymour’s way from the first snap, with the Tigers defensive line forcing a Stratford fumble on the very first play, recovered by Seymour. A brief drive ended in an incredible leaping interception by the Stratford secondary, but the Bulls were dangerously close to their own end zone. A delay of game penalty pushed the Bulls further back, and in the next few plays Seymour pushed them all the way back for a safety and a 2pt lead. On the ensuing free kick, Seymour’s return man found a tiny window to the sidelines, followed excellent blocking, and sprinted 50 yards to the end zone for the special teams score.
The ensuing two-point conversion made it 10 – 0, a score that would stand until the 3rd quarter, when Seymour would score again to make the game 16 – 0 after a missed PAT. However, Stratford still had plenty of fight left in them, and scored twice to bring the score to 16 – 13 with minutes remaining. Playing with the toughness and tenacity of their mascot, the Bulls were able to stop the Tigers on their next possession, and took over the ball on Seymour’s 48 yard line. A sweeping run to the left got the Bulls down to the Seymour 30 yard line with 30 seconds left. After an incompletion, a quick pass two plays later got the Bulls to the Seymour 20 with 14.5 seconds remaining. After a time-stoppage for a first down measurement, the play was whistled live.
Lined up in shotgun formation, Stratford had time for one more try at the end zone, but it wasn’t meant to be. The ball was snapped, a Seymour Tiger defensive end streaked into the Bulls backfield, grabbing their quarterback with one arm and punching the ball out with the other. The pigskin shot directly into the waiting hands of a Seymour offensive lineman, who clutched the ball and held it tight as he was brought to the ground, sealing a Seymour victory and a trip to Orlando.
The Seymour coaching staff of John Shea, Brian Moir, Mike Hynds, Jeff Curina, Pat Lowe, Joe Lawruszko, and Dan Carboni are now preparing their team for the trip to Florida, to face off against the winners of the seven other Pop Warner regions across the United States. Teams from Illinois, California, Colorado, Florida, Virginia, North Carolina, and the Pacific Northwest will converge on Orlando next week to determine the National Champions in the 13U division.
The trip to Florida, however, is a very costly one for many families, especially so close to the holidays. To help offset the costs, Seymour Pop Warner will be carrying out fundraising activities, including a GoFundMe campaign. To donate to this cause, please visit and contribute to their GoFundMe campaign here.
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