October 28, 2021
FROM THE DESK OF OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Biggest Wins Happen in the Classroom

Earning the starting quarterback role for the New England Patriots, throwing nine touchdowns and completing 70% of his passes over his first seven games has made for a pretty impressive start to Mac Jones’ NFL career. Coming just a year after leading University of Alabama to a national championship and being named a Heisman Trophy finalist, it’s safe to say he has had his share of success on the football field. 

But converting third downs and throwing touchdowns isn’t really where Jones serves as a model for young student-athletes. It’s his ability to balance academics and athletics... [Read more...]
CHEER & DANCE NATIONALS
Tiny Mite Championships Set for Orlando
For the first time, Pop Warner is offering a national championship division for Tiny Mite cheer and dance teams (ages 5-7) to compete this December in Orlando. While Tiny Mite teams have been able to participate in exhibition performances at National Championships, this will be the first year that teams will have the opportunity to competitively perform and receive scores.

For more details on how your team can qualify for Nationals, click here.
ALUMNI FEATURE
The Michigan State Power Duo With an Unbreakable Bond
Connections built in Pop Warner can carry through every stage of life, and that’s the case for Illinois natives Payton Thorne and Jayden Reed, a powerful quarterback-wide receiver duo now at Michigan State. Eight years of playing together, the two Spartans have built a chemistry on the field and long-lasting friendship off it. 

Starting as Pop Warner Naperville teammates, the two continued to build upon their connection throughout high school during which Jayden’s father passed away. Leaning on each other for support, the friends grew into family. As they went their separate ways for college, their bond proved unbreakable with the two eventually reuniting at Michigan State. 

“I would say it’s just accumulation of time, reps and experience playing with each other,” Payton said. “We can look back at pictures and be like, ‘Oh my gosh [...] we were friends when we looked like that, and now here we are.’”

Watch Jayden and Payton’s story here.
POP WARNER HUMAN INTEREST STORY
Do You Have a Story? We Want to Hear!
The countdown to Orlando is on and with the Pop Warner Super Bowl and National Cheer and Dance Championships just weeks away we want to hear from you! 

Championship week is our favorite week of the year and not just because we get to celebrate the wins and successes on the field or mat, but those off of it. Over the years, we’ve had incredible stories of resilience, encouragement and inspiration emerge -- from teams that have created immense impact in their communities to individuals who have overcome great adversity.  

Last year’s National Cheer and Dance Championships featured stories of Ireland Nugent and Amalia Mikulanec. Amalia, a member of the Cape Coral Pop Warner Cheer, reunited with her teammates after winning another battle with leukemia. And Ireland, a double amputee and member of North Pinellas Pop Warner Cheer, whose resilience served as a true inspiration to everyone who watched her perform. 

Do you have an inspirational or encouraging story to share? If so, we want to hear from you. Please send your stories to [email protected].
Want to go to the Super Bowl? Panini is searching for its next Super Bowl Kid Reporter. Enter now and you and your kid could both score a trip to Super Bowl LVI or win other great prizes. Pop Warner athletes can enter with a special one-time code. [Get the code...]
POP WARNER SHOP
Regional Championship Merchandise Now Available for Online Sales
Check out our online regional stores to buy the latest championship merchandise.
Pop Warner wouldn't exist without the tireless effort of our wonderful volunteers. We love to celebrate these remarkable community leaders. This month we feature:

Roger Desrochers, President, Somerville Pop Warner
Region: New England | League: Eastern Mass
I volunteer because my heart and soul belong to the youth of our community. I lived in the Mystic Projects most of my life with many low income families, many children back then had no guidance and no one who cared about us project kids. I was the oldest of six boys and had to find something to keep them on a straight path. At 12 years old I started to help run sports leagues in our projects, this was a way to show all our kids, we cared, throughout the years we built these leagues to be the biggest throughout the city. The youth of the Mystic Projects finally held their heads high and had something to be proud of.

After high school, I served overseas in the Army and still kept myself involved in military sports and the leagues back home. When I was discharged from the Army, I returned back home to Somerville and my first priority was to work with the families of the Mystics and children throughout our city that needed something to do, something to get them off of the streets and into the parks. Since then I have served our community as a baseball and football coach and a member of the Providers Group in the projects. I have been involved in Somerville Pop Warner for 30 years and have always made sure every child could participate - no child ever left out. I believe that every child has the right to have that experience of learning the greatest sport but also getting an education and most important learning about loyalty, teamwork, pride, being leaders and also being part of a community that loves them.

It's simple. Why do I volunteer? I love every child and they all deserve the chance to move forward and have a better life. If we can succeed in our mission then we have something to be proud of. I will always find a way for every child to feel they are wanted, loved and most important, know they have someone they can count on. I will continue volunteering until the day I can't anymore.
Why do you volunteer? Feel free to let us know at [email protected].
POP WARNER ESPORTS
New Events on the Schedule
Our Pop Warner Esports Fall Series continues with two new tournaments on the schedule:
Saturday
October 30th
Rocket League
5:00 pm
Sunday
November 7th
Madden NFL 22
7:00 pm
OFFICIAL PARTNERS