Cape Pop Warner football and cheer enjoying large turnouts

It’s been 42 years since the Friday night lights were turned on then off at the Cape Henlopen High School field in Lewes, three high schools ago. Juiced fans packed the stands and rimmed the fences. The two Henrys, Brisco and White, scorched defenses in 1974. White went on to Colgate where he became an All-American and led the nation in all-purpose yardage. Thanksgiving rivalry games between Lewes and Rehoboth were played there. There is history on that field; it is legendary and it is sacred ground.

The millennium turned, and time marched forward. The youngest high school heroes from back then are grandparents and pushing 60 years old.  

Pop Warner practice, Wednesday night, Aug. 2,  2017, there are 93 kids spread over three teams from ages 5 to 11. Some of those kids have grandfathers who played there, but when you’re a distractible 5-year-old with a helmet on your head, historical reflection is not one of your assets. You are learning the game that Grand Pop played, in much the same way he did, just getting an earlier start. Innovations are simply modifications of fundamentals. A football practice looks much the same, with more emphasis on safety and water breaks. ‘Hydration” was a word only spoken at the fire department back in the way back days.

Tiny Mites, ages 5-6-7, Mitey Mites, ages 7-8-9 and Junior Pee Wees, ages 8-9-10-11, are the three teams of the Cape Pop Warner program. “The turnout is excellent,” said coach Harry Hudson. “We are building it back to what it was when we started 16 years ago.”

A look across the field toward the school and on the grass where field hockey was played, there are a few girls trying out to be Pop Warner Cheerleaders for the three teams, if you define a few as 80. And all make the squad, avoiding a lifelong, “I was cut from Tiny Mites cheerleading squad, but I went on to tumble and cartwheel in the NFL.”

Tykee Joyner is the player safety coach and an assistant coach with the Mitey Mites. Joyner is a trainer at Midway Fitness; he looks the part and also looks a little like NFL All-Pro receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

Skills and drills stations were set up for the three teams; all coaches were working their stations. There was no screaming, “You gotta hit somebody,” and no contact drills.

“I’m very proud of our coaches and the job everyone is doing,” said league President Jami Ferro, now in her second season. “They are trustworthy and dedicated individuals who want the best for all of the children in our program.”

Harry Hudson is head coach for the Tiny Mites, with a 35-to-75-lb. weight allowance, with Ashley Rego serving as team mother.

Dwight Tingle is head coach of the Mighty Mites, 45-100 lbs., with Malika Francis serving as team mother.

Matt Smith is head coach of the Junior Pee Wees, 60-115 lbs., and Shannon Staggs serves as team mother.

Teams will play games in Lewes and on some Saturdays will play at Cape’s Legends Stadium. Pop Warner football and cheer is a hands-on happening with family all over it. All kids have their own stories yet to be written, and the parents and grandparents are the storytellers, the spinners of yarns; some of the tales are even true.