Bobcats Come Back to Win Pop Warner Regionals

The veteran New England Pop Warner hierarchy called it the best game they have seen in over 40 years. In a game that saw no punts, but several lead changes, the Brookfield Bobcat Midgets defeated the Everett Eagles from Massachusetts 30-29 to advance to the New England Championship Game on Saturday, November 26 against Mt. Washington, N.H. at 4 p.m. at Foley Field in Worcester, Mass. The winner will advance to the National Championships in Orlando, Fla. at the Wide World of Sports/ESPN Complex. 

The Bobcats took the opening kickoff and marched 76 yards on five plays, culminating in a 45-yard touchdown run by Bobby Drysdale (20 carries for 193 yards, 3 TDs).  Nick Seis added the Extra Point kick to make it 8-0. But, Everett came right back, hitting a streaking receiver down the sideline for a 40-yard touchdown pass, but the kick failed leaving the score at 8-6. 

Brookfield roared right back down the field driving 60 yards as Austin Reich (12 carries for 74 yards) took it in from the 4-yard line, giving the Bobcats a 14-6 lead as their kick sailed wide and the first quarter ended. 

Everett answered right back with two quick scores of their own, one on a 2-yard plunge and one on a 45-yard run following a Brookfield fumble, giving the Eagles a 21-14 lead at the half. 

Everett took the opening kickoff of the second half and marched right down the field scoring from 23 yards out to take a seemingly commanding 29-14 lead with only three minutes left in the third quarter. But Brookfield wouldn't be denied, as they took over on their own 32-yard line and drove 68 yards in three minutes, as Drysdale scored from 2 yards and with Seis's kick the Everett lead was now only 29-22. 

As the fourth quarter began, Everett drove the ball down to the Brookfield 15, eating up most of the period while converting on several fourth downs. But, as the ball lay on the Brookfield 15, the Brookfield defense rose to the occasion and stopped the Eagles on downs with four minutes and 33 seconds remaining in the game.  

After consecutive 9-yard runs by Reich and Peter Manesis, Drysdale took the ball around the end for a gain of 52 yards. Four plays later he scored from the 1-yard line to bring the Bobcats within one point at 29-28. The Bobcats opted to go for the lead with the two-point kick and Seis delivered, giving the Brookfield a 30-29 lead.  

Everett drove to the Brookfield 40-yard line with one minute to play, but was stopped on fourth and 14 to give the Bobcats the victory and a berth in the Regional Final. Reich lead the Bobcats with 15 tackles as Sam Flynn, Seis and Drysdale were in on 10 tackles each.