LIHU‘E — Hope glimmered in the third quarter Saturday when the Hanapepe Colts Junior Pee Wee defensive plucked a Mano‘a Paniolo pass and ran it back into the red zone at Vidinha Stadium. But the Paniolo kept the Colts from
LIHU‘E — Hope glimmered in the third quarter Saturday when the Hanapepe Colts Junior Pee Wee defensive plucked a Mano‘a Paniolo pass and ran it back into the red zone at Vidinha Stadium.
But the Paniolo kept the Colts from closing the door, sealing a 19-0 win at the Pop Warner Regional Championships at Vidinha Stadium.
Mano‘a did its damage in the first half, giving the Colts a 19-0 halftime wall to climb back over.
“They’re quick boys,” said Kaua‘i Pop Warner Football League Commissioner Teddy Arroyo. “Hanapepe is playing well, but just can’t close that door.”
Coached by Kyle Linoz, the Hanapepe Colts, the KPWFL JPW champions, advanced to face the winner of the Maui JPW last Saturday on Maui.
During that matchup, the Colts brought home hopes for a berth in the National Pop Warner Football Championships, more commonly known as the Pop Warner Super Bowl.
The Colts returned with a 33-6 victory. Pam Arroyo, the KPWFL president, noted the Colts were up 27-0 at the half.
Entering Vidinha Stadium, hopes were high that the JPW tackle football team would join its JPW Cheer squad, earning an eligibility berth for the National Pop Warner Cheer and Dance competition.
But clawing back from a 19-0 deficit took its toll. The Colts were held to a defensive slugfest against the Paniolo, the intercepted pass being kept out of the end zone when the Manoa defender knocked the ball incomplete.
For its efforts, the Colts held their JPW Championship trophy high to share the glory with their parents and fans.
A full recap of Saturday’s games benefiting the Aloha Kaua‘i Shrine Club and the Shriner’s Hospital will follow.
Manoa Paniolo JPW prepare for its trip to the National Pop Warner Super Bowl in Orlando, Florida, from Dec. 1 through 8 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
The Pop Warner Super Bowl consists of 64 teams from eight Pop Warner Regions playing in four age and weight classifications — Junior Pee Wee, Pee Wee, Junior Midget and Midget — in two divisions.
During the six-day event, 68 games take place, including the Division I Midget National Championship game which is featured on ESPN and ESPN2 throughout the NFL Super Bowl week.
Visit www.popwarner.com for more information.
