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Friday delivered a championship-filled showcase as six new teams etched their names into Pop Warner history, claiming National Championships across Division 2 and Division 1 competition.
The 11U Division 1 national title game produced an instant classic. Greater LaPorte (IN) Slicers completed a storybook finish, scoring on a game-winning touchdown pass as time expired to stun a super strong Oceanside (CA) squad, 20–14. The dramatic victory capped another remarkable season for the Slicers, who also captured the 10U national championship a year ago, reinforcing their status as one of the premier youth programs in the country.
In front of an energized hometown crowd at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex in Matthews, the Lake Norman Giants delivered a historic performance. The Charlotte-area program captured its first-ever Pop Warner national championship with a dominant 20–0 shutout of the Mt. Hope (RI) Cowboys in the Division 2 Super Bowl. It was a landmark moment for the Giants and a celebration-worthy achievement for the entire Lake Norman community.
With a steady diet of big plays on offense and a shutdown defense, Saddleback Valley (CA) showcased its firepower in the D2 13U national championship game, pulling away for a 32–8 victory over Darien Swarm to secure the national crown.
In the 12U national championship, Creekside Warriors of San Jose, California emerged victorious over the Merrillville (IN) Pirates, 24-8, earning their place atop the division after an impressive tournament run.
The Division 2 9U championship saw Youngstown (Ohio) Little Bears deliver a commanding performance, shutting out West Boynton (FL) Wolfpack, 33–0, to claim the national title in emphatic fashion.
Mixed day for Oceanside
While one Oceanside team came up just short in a heartbreaking finish, another Oceanside team delivered a championship performance of its own. Oceanside captured the Division 1 14U national championship in dominant fashion, rolling to a 30–0 victory over St. James Royals (NJ) to claim the Super Bowl crown.
The title adds to an already memorable week for the Oceanside program, which was also honored with the Pop Warner Community Star Award, recognizing the organization as a national model for community service, leadership, and impact beyond the field.
Oceanside’s championship pursuit is not finished, either. One more Oceanside team will take the field Saturday with a chance to bring home the Division 1 13U national title, underscoring the depth and excellence of the program across multiple age levels.
Throw the Flag
A few hundred yards from the Stadium where the national champions were being crowned in tackle, the inaugural Crown Classic Flag Football tournament was experiencing its own magic, where the opening day of competition featured 40 teams battling through pool play. Ten teams completed the day unbeaten, setting the stage for a highly competitive and wide-open race as the tournament – a joint production between Pop Warner and NFL Flag – continues on Saturday.
You can follow the flag action here.
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