Greensboro Sports

Posted By Andy Durham on December 10, 2009

The Oak Ridge Colts are Coming Alive and after their win on Wednesday(yesterday December 9) they are now set to play for the Pop Warner Super Bowl title this Saturday down in Florida.

We had the update about their win ealier in the week from the Northwest Observer and now here’s the word on the Colts big win yesterday to move on to the Championship game on Saturday….

This article is from the Pop Warner Football web site and you can access it when you Click Here.

Here is the article from the Pop Warner site and it sounds like these kids are ready to bring home the Title….

“Oak Ridge Colts Get Second Chance at National Title”

by Scott McAdams, Pop Warner
Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL. – The Oak Ridge Colts from North Carolina now stand at 14-0 with their toughest competition yet to come. But the Colts aren’t just a talented team that runs all over everybody.

With only four returning players from last year’s team that lost in the National Championship, this team is embracing a second opportunity with enthusiasm, teamwork and the will to win.

“These kids are good athletes but they’re even better people,” said Head Coach Mark McDaniel, “and they all share the common goal to win.”

McDaniel explained that his job is made easy by the attitude of his players, lead by brothers Taylor and Matthew Schmidt.

Matthew Schmidt plays center and delivers the ball to his older brother Taylor, who plays quarterback. McDaniel said that Taylor Schmidt is “like another coach out there [the field]” as he reads the defense’s strengths and weaknesses.

“I knew how to do this stuff before I even knew what football was,” Said Taylor Schmidt. “My dad played Division I football, he taught me everything I know.”

The Schmidt brothers, along with “T1” & “T2” (nicknames for Terrell Jones and Terrell Leach) have lead the offensive attack for the Colts this season.

On the other side of the ball, #74 Trevon Malachi runs the defense. But Malachi’s biggest strength has been his vocal leadership said Coach McDaniel.

Malachi, 14, is a first year player who plays defensive end. Humble and reserved off the field, – Malachi leaves the goofy antics for his teammate and friend “TI” – not one play goes by where Malachi is rallying the troops to make another stop.

The Oak Ridge Colts beat the New Haven Steelers, CT 26-14 in a “sloppy ball-game” as coach McDaniel referred to it. With the win, the Colts will advance to the 53rd Annual Pop Warner Super Bowl on Saturday afternoon. They match-up against a very athletic Richmond Giants, FL team, they hail from Miami.

“My hat’s off to New Haven though, they were well coached and never quit,” said McDaniel, “We need to hold onto the ball and work on our concentration for Saturday’s game.”

Outcome aside, the Oak Ridge Colts have worked very hard to get to this point, McDaniel stressed. They are going to enjoy their time in Orlando and leave everything on the field Saturday.

For live coverage watch the game on ESPN 360, this Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. The game will also be aired as part of the annual Pop Warner Super Bowl special on ESPN 2 starting Christmas Day.

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