(Orlando, FL) - The La Porte Slicers youth football team is headed to Florida to play for the Pop Warner National Title.

 

The 10-and-under players will compete in the championship game in Orlando on Friday, Dec. 13th, against the Norristown Bengals from Pennsylvania. Kickoff is at 9:45 a.m. (Central Time) and can be watched on the FloSports App, or at no cost on the Facebook page of Dennis Nelson, whose grandson - Dennis Nelson III - is on the team.

 

Head Coach Mike Nelson said his team has been on a mission since last year’s defeat in the national semi-finals. The team advanced to the national title game with a come-from-behind victory in overtime Monday, against the defending champions - the Coconut Grove Cowboys, who are from Florida.

 

“The kids were jumping up and down and were excited,” he said.

Nelson says the team's offensive line, who play bigger and stronger than their age would say, are a critical part of their success.  He says they are excellent at protecting quarterback, Ben Nelson, and creating holes for the ball carriers to run through.

 

“We’ve got the best offensive line in the country. They’re hungry.   They’re after it,” he said.

 

The offensive line consists of Eli Nimtz, Cruz Dominguez, Rush Loftus, Grant Sanders, Drew Pumroy, and Manny Avila. Nelson said his players felt they were the best team last year, and have been out to prove that is the case this year.

 

“They just want a shot at redemption. We’ll get to prove whether we’re number one or number two on Friday,” he said.