KISSIMMEE – When coaches ask their players to “leave it all on the field”, very seldom does it ever come down to a single play where this is required. However in the 62nd Annual Pop Warner Super Bowl, both the Far West Jets of Good Year Arizona and the Westside Wildcats would need every ounce of intestinal fortitude along with every second of the game, to crown the 2018 Division I Pee Wee champion.
With the game tied 18-18 and no time remaining in regulation, Westside would get an untimed down from the 5-yard line to win the game on the point after touchdown. The Wildcats elected to run a play instead of kicking, as quarterback Nikko ” Blue Shoes” Bates would take the direct snap, weave his way through the middle of the Jets defense and absorb a punishing hit at the goal line. As Bates powered forward, the ball crossed the plane of the end zone and pandemonium ensued, Westside had come from behind, upsetting Far West 19-18 to be crowned Super Bowl Champions.
Far West came into the game favorites by many ESPN analyst, who touted their size and disciple as key factors to their success. The Jets flew into Orlando with a Junior Pee Wee Super Bowl win just two years ago, so their Pee Wee team looked to add another trophy to their trophy case. Westside came into the game as new comers to the Super Bowl as the park had never been to or won a Super Bowl, so the pee wee team looked to make history on the day.
It was a slow start for Westside, as Far West used their signature up-tempo style to gain the advantage and first downs. Tight End Johnny Arvallo would be the recipient of the game’s first touchdown, thanks to a pass from quarterback Navi Bruzon who lofted it from the 10 yard line giving Far West an early 8-0 lead after a successful two point attempt.
TD Far West! What a pass! 7-0 over Westside 1st #PopWarnerSB pic.twitter.com/81KQawpbV1
— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) December 8, 2018
Westside would respond in typical Westside fashion. All year this team has been able to run the ball, and in the Super Bowl they got one of their biggest runs of the season. After a fourth and 1 stop on their own 21 yard line, Westside’s defense gave the ball back to their offense. Elijah Wescott would take the run off tackle 79 yards for an incredible touchdown run cutting the lead to 8-6 in the first quarter.
After great defensive plays by Sedgwick Spicer Jr, and Trenton Edwards, Westside would get the ball back and score again. This time Wescott took the beautiful misdirection reverse through the middle of the over pursuing Far West defense. After the score, Westside led 12-8 as Cam Anderson’s interception concluded the first half for Westside.
Westside (Jacksonville) leading Far West (Arizona) Halftime! 12-8!
Pop Warner Super Bowl
D1 Championship pic.twitter.com/0qJs1fgCTU— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) December 8, 2018
In the second half, Far West would mount a furious offense with big plays as first Bryce Quinnett would intercept a Westside pass. However, Westside would return the favor when none other than Elijah Wescott would intercept the Jets pass on the next drive as the Wildcats still lead 12-8 late in the game. The Wildcats were forced to take a safety in the fourth quarter cutting the lead to 12-10, when bad field position in the shadow of their own end zone prompted Coach Christopher Grubbs to make the difficult call on their own 5 yard line.
Interception Bryce Quinett of Far West! They trail Westside 12-8 3rd 4:27 pic.twitter.com/xu6Y6HBgR2
— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) December 8, 2018
Wescott with the interception !! pic.twitter.com/S6vQZJmniy
— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) December 8, 2018
Far West would make the Wildcats pay when Jakobi Spence rumbled around the left side for a touchdown giving Far West an 18-12 lead early in the fourth quarter. Far West’s Owen Dalton would make matters worse for Westside, intercepting a pass giving the ball back to the Jets with six minutes to play in the game.
Surprisingly, Jets Head Coach Jason Kindred decided to keep their up tempo pace instead of burning clock while leading by 6 and driving deep in Wildcat territory. The decision would be costly, as Jayden “Big Brother” Griffin-Haynes would recover a Far West fumble giving life to Westside’s title hopes with three minutes remaining in the game.
Spence with the TOUCHDOWN! Far West leads Westside 18-12 after two successful PAT kicks! pic.twitter.com/77KaHqLDbn
— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) December 8, 2018
On the final drive of the contest, Westside would need to drive 90 yards just for a shot to tie the game. On the drive, Bates hit Hylton Stubbs on an amazing pass where the ball was deflected in the air by the Jets defensive back and caught on the fly by Stubbs between two defenders. The play saved the drive as Westside would make it down to the Far West five yard line. Then with no timeouts and trailing 18-12 with just 4 seconds left, on fourth down, Bates would hit Stubbs in the corner of the end-zone with a beautiful pass to tie the game at 18 all.
4th and goal Westside trails Far West by 6! Only 4 seconds to play! TOUCHDOWN!!! pic.twitter.com/cgGBB6uW0L
— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) December 8, 2018
Said Bates of the play, ” I trust my brothers to do what they do and he made the play”. It was a gutsy call by the offensive coordinator who went back to Stubbs after he dropped a pass earlier in the game. Stubbs commented after the game, ” to be honest with you, I thought I was gonna drop it, but I caught it and Nikko ran the two pointer and we won that thing”.
It was an incredible win by Westside (15-0), who finished as Greater Jacksonville Pop Warner City Champions, Southeast Regional Champions, and Super Bowl 62 National Champions.
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Video courtesy of ESPN and Pop Warner
Photos by Sterling Jones of Epic Images
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