WINSTON-SALEM, NC – The Northwest Midget Pop Warner Football League (NWMPWFL), a member of the Mid-South Region, hosted the final round of the 2009 Division Championship beginning on October 31, 2009 at Winston-Salem’s Carver High School. A total of eighteen teams participated, including two teams from Greensboro.
The Greensboro Giants, the only Pop Warner program in Greensboro, sent its Pee Wee team, coached by John Gatling, and its Jr. Midget team, coach by J.T. Tonkins. The Giant Pee Wee team, which placed second in the Conference Championship, finished (6-2) overall and (5-1) in the conference. The Giant Jr. Midget team however finished its regular season, (8-0) overall and (6-0) in the conference. But this weekend, the Jr. Midget team showed why they are Conference Champs. After falling behind 12-0 in the second quarter, the Giant Jr. Midget team fought back, in the pouring rain, to defeat the defending champions, the Forsyth Broncos 14-12. Fan faithful for both teams stayed until the end to see the teams receive their trophies.
“I am just so happy and excited,†said a wet Coach Tonkins after the win. “It’s hard to believe we actually did it. I told the kids, we wouldn’t stop until we reached Disney World,†which for the Jr. Midget team is a possibility. The Jr. Midget team needs to win three more games to clench the Regional title before they can advance to the 53rd Pop Warner Super Bowl in Orlando, FL.
The Jr. Midget team will now advance to the first round of play, in the Regional Playoffs, on November 7, 2009 at 1:00p.m. The location of the first game will be held at West Johnston High School in Benson, NC.
“For a first year organization, having two out of four teams make it to the Conference Championship, is fantastic,†said Alan Hooker, former quarterback for North Carolina A&T and Assistant Coach for the Giant Pee Wee team. “We want the Jr. Midget team to go all the way.â€
For more information concerning the Greensboro Giants, visit the website at www.greensborogiants.com.
Great Job guys! Good luck!
Just want say to Coach Tonkins and Mr.Hooker and the entire Giant association . .job well done for a first year organization. Keep working hard and believe an d it can get done. Ol’ cliche,”you only get out of it, what you put in it”, keep up the excellent job that you’re doing and good luck the rest of the way.
There is a brewing controversy about the Greensboro Giants Jr. Midget win against the Winston-Salem Broncos. In short, the Greensboro Giants actually finished the season with a 10-0 overall record. Due to a conflict created by the Bronco’s organization after the game on Saturday, the league is considering not allowing the Greensboro Giants to continue on in the post season. I can put you in touch with Coach JT Tonkins for more details if you would like to give this story more publicity.
I wanted to add an update to the message that I posted last night. The Greensboro Giant Jr. Midgets will be allowed to continue on in the playoffs. After a meeting with league officials today, the Giants are all set to keep moving forward. Send your prayers & good thoughts for a victory tomorrow in Benson, NC and for the next few weeks…Go Giants!!!!
Great Job Greensboro Giants!!! Hoorah! Hoorah! Jr. Midgets. To my sons,JT Smith #2 QB & JB Smith #38, what a great season. I am sooooo proud of you and the entire team.
We love you guys and can’t wait to see you giving God glory on the field at Dudley High School next year! (Or Greensboro Giants Midgets?) Continue to be leaders on the field and in the classroom. Let’s Go Giants!!!