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Sports

Jr Midget Bobcats Advance in Pop Warner Superbowl

Bobcats edged out the Campbell Bears of California 22-16 Saturday afternoon.

The Brookfield Bobcats defeated the Campbell Bears of California 22-16 Saturday afternoon at the Pop Warner Superbowl in balmy Orlando, FL, taking them to the second of three rounds to decide who will be the Jr Midgets National Champion.

"You're now one of the top four teams in the country," coach Bob Drysdale announced to cheers of players and fans following the game.

The Bobcats dominated both sides of the ball at ESPN's Wide World of Sports for the first half of the game, with their defense only seeing seven plays and allowing no first downs to be gained by the Bears. Power players for the game were Bobby Drysdale, who scored all three touchdowns, and Austin Reich, who moved the ball for over 100 of the Bobcat's 300-yard total, however coach Drysdale was reluctant to attribute the team's success to one or two players.

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"Both the defensive line and offense played hard and made this game happen," Drysdale said.

While the Bears managed to make some second-half adjustments to the Bobcat's run-heavy game, the California team was ultimately unable to come back.
Having played in 40-degree weather for the past month, the Bobcats had various reactions to the sunny, 70-degree Orlando. Running back Drysdale felt that the weather was perfect, others, such as line backer Matt Biondi, found it to be warmer than they liked.

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The Bobcat's next opponent was decided on the field next door, between the Merritt Island Mustangs of Florida and the Chili Lions of New York, with the Mustangs clinching a narrow victory at 28-26. Several Bobcat players and parents said that Tuesday will be a tough game, but defensive tackle Pat Clancy was very confident about his team's prospects.

"I think we can beat anyone," he said.

Mike Collins, father of running back Andrew Collins, believes it's going to be a close game.

"It's gonna come down to whoever makes the most mistakes," he said.

The Bobcats were able to advance to the Pop Warner finals after shutting out Seymore 26-6 in the Pop Warner State Championship in mid-November. Coach Drysdale feels that playing Connecticut's tough teams, such as Fairefield and Wilcock, have tempered his team and prepared them to go all the way to number one in the National Championship.

"Our kids know that they can play and beat anyone in the country," Drysdale said.
Regardless of Tuesday's outcome, parents and coaches alike expressed their pride in the Bobcats having come this far.

"Every game gets better," said football dad Jeff Sidebotham. "Just to be in Florida and win a game is fantastic."

Assitant coach Chuck Hinder had wistful words for the team that he has helped to coach this year.

"It's great to watch them learn to support each other and have them learn the difference between pain and injury," Hinder said. "We see these kids becoming little citizens of our town."

The Bobcats will battle the Merritt Island Mustangs on Tuesday at 1 p.m.

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