This local group of 10-12-year-olds reached the Central Texas Pop Warner Championships in 2009, where they suffered a last-minute defeat. (Courtesy photo)
by MARK CAUL
Although they all may hail from different backgrounds and each took a different path in fulfilling their dreams to become a National Football League player, current stars Drew Brees, Peyton Manning and Reggie Bush have several things in common. They were able to win Super Bowls both professionally and also as Pop Warner players.
And with the end of the summer slowly approaching, preparations are already in full swing for the start of youth football in the area this September for the young men who may be the next generation of NFL superstars.
James Pavia, who is the president of the North Hays Pop Warner Gators, certainly believes in the youth program. “Whenever we see some of the guys that have come through our program as kids become successful on both the high school and college level, it makes us proud,” Pavia said. “We hope that means we have impacted their lives in some way, both athletically and academically.”
The Gators are a member of Central Texas Pop Warner Association, which includes teams from Westlake, Leander/Cedar Park, North Hays County and Killeen. Currently about 3,500 kids participate in the league that is comprised of a 10-game regular season, local and regional playoffs and then a trip to Orlando, Florida where the National Super Bowl awaits teams fortunate enough to advance that far.
“We are the only nationally recognized youth football association in Hays County,” said Pavia. “We also are the only Pop Warner Association that owns, operates and maintains it’s own facility in Central Texas Pop Warner. You should see the North Hays Sportsplex facility which is used solely for the purpose of youth football,” said Pavia.
Locally, the league serves about 200 players each fall in both football and cheerleading. The Gators feature teams with players ranging in age from 4 to 12 (kids from 4 to 5 years old play flag football). Then begin tackle at age 6 if the player so chooses.
Coach Milton Powell has been with the Gators since 2007, and is entering his second season as head coach, after leading his team of 8 and 9-year-olds to an outstanding 2009 campaign. Kenny Henderson, Zane Kuykendall, Cade Powell, Tiras Morton and Braden Sullins were named as standouts for Powell’s squad last season.
Coach Pavia enters his tenth season as a youth football coach and has been a Gator since it’s inception in 2005. His group of 9 and 10 year olds is also looking to make a push to the 2010 playoffs with returning players Ivan Olivo, Mojo Perez, Tre’ Hinojosa and David Yancy.
Coach Lee Perry, who is currently the league’s longest tenured coach, heads up the Peewee Division (for ages 10 and 11 who weigh up to 120 pounds and 12-year-olds who weigh up to 100 pounds).
Perry’s squad reached the Central Texas Pop Warner Championship game in 2009, where they suffered a last-minute defeat to a team from northwest Austin.
“All I ask of my teams is to be competitive,” Perry said. “If we win and reach the playoffs, that’s just the added reward.” Perry named Will Ratliff, DJ Peavy, Peyton Pearson, Tyler and Jonathan Moreno as players to watch for. “They have all been Gators for 3 to 6 seasons.”
With another exciting season around the corner, Pavia encourages new players to contact the North Hays Pop Warner website at www.nhogators.com. “There are only a few spots left for this season,” Pavia said. “We’re all looking forward to getting started.”
