The Junior PeeWee Forestview Steelers have asserted themselves as one of the strongest teams in the 2015 Pop Warner National Tournament. The winner of the tournament will play in Super Bowl 59 and be crowned National Champions. Forestview’s quest for a championship began Sunday against the Naperville Chargers of Illinois. The game revealed three main reasons why Forestview will advance to the Super Bowl.
#1. Forestview began the game just the way Head Coach Eric Wesley wanted to, on defense.
The Steel Curtain of the Forestview Steelers held strong against Naperville shutting the talented team from Illinois out 29-0. The Steelers defense forced a punt on their first possession, and forced turnovers on the next two. Interceptions by Kirkland, Castleberry, and Manning lead a stingy defense that pressured the Charger’s QB Wesley Hamilton all game, forcing errant throws.
#2. What the defense didn’t do the offense filled in the gaps. With great field position all game the offense had short fields to work with. The offensive line opened holes for the Steelers to pound the rock and get chunks of yards a pop. The leading rusher in the game was #4 Leggett who capitalized on runs to the outside. Leggett got lots of action on the afternoon as his speed made it difficult for Naperville to match. QB Chris Calhoun had an easy afternoon handing the ball off for most of the game. When his number was called he made plays on designed runs. But the Steelers are a power team and they would run the ball effectively between the tackles setting up the outside runs.
14-0 Forestview over Naperville Manning with the 25yd TD run set up by the int by #5 Kenton Kirkland! pic.twitter.com/s0vOFSdlqU
— DuvalSports (@DuvalSports) December 6, 2015
#3 FM3 2TDS. #4Legget 1td #5Kirkland and #16 Castleberry both with int. Steelers lead 32-0 2nd @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/HFX4ltmRoh
— PHILL-DuvalSports (@dreamkingfilmz) December 6, 2015
#3. The beneficiary of the power run game was Freddie Manning. Manning is not only #3 in your programs, but he is the third reason the Steelers won the game and will advance in the next round. On a team of stars he is the star of stars creating plays in every phase. He first scored on special teams taking the first punt of the game 65 yards for the game’s first touchdown. He then scored on offense, on a 25 yard power run up the middle. Finally, on defense Manning garnered an interception to stall a 2nd quarter push by Naperville . The game was 29-o and a running clock before halftime.
The Steelers did not need big plays from their big play weapons as the team played cohesively together. It was a total team effort from offense, to defense, to special teams. They will look to duplicate this effort tomorrow against the Quakertown Panthers from Pennsylvania.
Quakertown gained a close come from behind win against the Loveland Titans 7-6 last Sunday. The Panthers like to play between the tackles to set up big plays in play action. Look for them to start the game with a trick play to attempt to catch the aggressive Steelers off guard. #10 Dante Frinzi can be dangerous in the return game, and #20 Tyler Woodman possesses nice quickness for his small frame. They bring a spirited crowd and following from Pennsylvania that will be ready to cheer their Panthers on. Their coaching staff are great motivators and will be sure to get maximum effort from the team with halftime adjustments. However the game will not be close enough at half time for the adjustments to matter unless they come out aggressive.
Prediction: Forestview will dominate once again. They are to fast, to powerful, and to disciplined for the Panthers to match. Score 35-0
Forestview Vs Naperville Photo Gallery <——- Click Here!
