Tigers ‘B’ football team advances closer to New Englands

One down and two to go for the Taunton Pop Warner youth football team.

The Tigers B-team remained unbeaten on the season Saturday after beating the Bedford N.H. Junior Bulldogs, 34-6 in the opening rounds of the Regional championship at North Attleboro.

The Hockomock Super Bowl champion (11-0) are now one of four teams remaining in all New England in the hunt for a possible trip to Disney World, Florida.

They will play the Springfield Longhorns next Sunday at the University of New Hampshire at 1 p.m. to determine which team plays in the New England championship.

“It’s a great accomplishment for these kids,” Taunton head coach Jay Auger said. “This is a long way to go. But now every time you play, the talent keeps getting better and better. You’re playing the best of the best.”

Taunton dominated the first quarter, scoring 22 unanswered points to take the early lead. Jared Jorge kicked things off for the Tigers by returning the opening kickoff 92-yards for a touchdown.

On the Tigers’ first possession, Tyler Wolffe dashed 50 yards for another touchdown and followed up with the two-point conversion.

Nana Mansah then intercepted a pass for Taunton and ran it back 60 yards for a touchdown. Wolffe added his second two point kick, making the score 22-0 before the first quarter was finished.

“These guys just came out today with a bunch of heart and ready to play again,” Taunton head coach Jay Auger said. “From the opening gun, our team took the opening kickoff back for a touchdown and just took the steam out of the other team.”

Wolffe intercepted another pass and returned it 65-yards for an apparent touchdown. But the play was called back because of a penalty.

On their first play from scrimmage, the Tigers’ Jason Darosa ran it in from 30 yards out to increase the score to 28-0.

Adam Leonard got into the act defensively by intercepting the ball, giving Taunton another shot at scoring. Darosa capped the scoring with a 40-yard touchdown run.

Taunton’s defense played fantastic all day long with strong performances by Mensah (one interception return for a touchdown), Wolffe and Leonard each with a pick, Jorge, Darosa, Quan Darius Roberson, Darnell Fernandes, Devonte Kavanaugh, Brian Cherenfant, Alex Demoura, Ethan Paterson, Timothy Woods, Brian Rosa and Christopher Lavinge.

Captain Jared Taje, Connor Marks, Damion Theodule, Nate Vinnie, Ben Shurtleff, Shawn Oller, Ryan Twohig provided strong blocking on offense. Quarterback Matthew Braga ran the show to perfection.

“This was a game that we should have won and we did win. The competition we have coming up next week is going to be a lot stiffer.

“We have a chip and we’re going to play. Whatever happens, happens. It’s all about the kids.”

Contact Steven Sanchez at ssanchez@tauntongazette.com