(La Porte, IN) - A youth football team from La Porte has a chance to become national champions as the Pop Warner team, consisting of nine-year-olds, has made it to the Final Four in their age group.

 

Right now, the coaching staff and players are in Orlando, Florida having fun and preparing for their next game.  Last year, the undefeated Slicers lost in the state finals but this year won the state title.

 

Head Coach Mike Nelson said he’s only somewhat surprised at how deep his team has gone in the tournament.

 

“I got a real good group of kids. They work hard on the field, they listen to the coaches, their parents bring them to practices and we practice in the rain, snow, and sleet. Any field time we can get we practice. They’re just a real hungry group of nine-year-olds.   They get after it,” he said.

 

His son, Ben Nelson, is the quarterback.

 

Other key players include Colton Rogers, a big play-making running back on offense and tackle-making machine as a linebacker on defense.

 

Nelson said the team is well-balanced in all areas of the game.

 

“We’ve got some big guys up front.  We got some guys who can run fast.  I would definitely say we’re a run-first team but we can air the ball out if we need to,” he said.

 

The Slicers play again tomorrow morning, where a win would mean playing for the national title later in the week.