Vikings Junior PeeWees Win PCC Championship

   Santa Monica Pop Warner Football has come along way since its inception five years ago. Once the “cellar dweller” of the Pacific Coast Conference (PCC), the Santa Monica Vikings have become the fastest rising youth football association in PCC history.
   At the conclusion of the season last weekend, the Vikings Jr. PeeWee team had captured the Pacific Coast Conference Championship, and placed second in the Pacific Southwest Tournament which was held this year in San Diego and featured championship teams from most counties in Southern California, as well as teams from Nevada, Colorado, Arizona and Hawaii.
   In addition, the Vikings Mighty Mite team ran up an undefeated season, before ultimately loosing to Palos Verdes in the PCC Championship game. Santa Monica’s Flag Football team has remained unbeaten for the past two years.
   The Vikings Jr. Pee Wee team defeated the previously unbeaten Palos Verdes Buffaloes to capture its first PCC championship three weeks ago. The Vikings dominated, as they have all year with a ball control offense, and a superior passing attack. Led by quarterback Ryan Katz, the Vikings marched 60 yards in the final minutes of the first half and scored on a 20 yard TD strike from Katz to Tyler Skaggs for the only score of the game.
   The Pacific Coast Conference includes teams from PalosVerdes, Redondo Beach, Culver City, Torrance, Lawndale, Gardena, Wilmington/ Carson, San Pedro-TriCities, Hawthorne, Paramount and El Segundo.
   Most of these associations have 15 to 20 years of experience and tradition in producing fine youth football teams an most of the teams are well financed by local business and City Councils. These teams are seen by their local high schools as a training ground for future athletes.
   Santa Monica High School (Samohi) recently won the CIF Championship in Division 9, with eight or nine players who previously had played Pop Warner football in the Viking program. There were over 15 players on the Samohi freshman team that have played Pop Warner football for the Vikings.
   In view of its success, it is remarkable that Santa Monica Pop Warner Football does not enjoy the same level of support that other teams have. Usually operating on in the red, the association also has to beg for field space in which to practice and play. With no regular home, the teams hold practice at various city parks. While some of the parks are adequate, none of them feature a regulation football field, necessary to accommodate teaching basic football fundamentals, or storage space for gear and practice equipment. To further complicate matters, teams have had to share space with AYSO Soccer, and work around other youth programs’ schedules that have priority.
   Also, Samohi, where the Vikings play their home games, has indicated that the field may not be available next year, owing to improvements being made to the campus. With the future of the association somewhat uncertain, and with fundraising goals that are currently unmet, the Santa Monica Pop Warner Football Association is approaching these obstacles in the same manner that their teams have approached their games.
   “With lots of preparation, a sound game plan, and execution, we have shown what can be accomplished when dedicated parents and players, combined with superior coaching, and a dedicated Board of Directors, can do,” says Jr. Pee Wee coach Pat Farrell. “Next year, most of the players at each level will move up. The teams should then be competitive in 4 out of the 5 divisions. We are optimistic about the program, but concerned about field space and support” Says, Ken Bank, Vice President of the league. “With the beneficiary of this program being the high schools, and particularly Santa Monica High, it would be a shame for the program to not get the respect and support from the community and the City that it deserves.”