# 80 Dylan Arndt, #50 Hassan Belton; #8 Debreon Benson; #9 Sean Burris; #54 Michael Carson; #75 Micah Cohen; #32 Charlie Cole; #85 Diante Davis; #58 Waylon Ergle; #24 Lynard Gardner; #21 D’Andre Harley; #66 Anthony Kelly; #77 Russell Land; #7 Ryan Malone; #6 Johnathan Morgan; #88 Otis Morris; #81 John Pope; #52 Jarrod Russ; #56 Trevor Sheehan; #18 Cleveland Smith; #55 Kyle Tompkins; #61 Nash Via; #72 Dejuan Warren; #60 John Whelahan; #1 Devante White; #99 Dominik White; #5 Darnell Williams; #3 Derrick Williams; #63 Benjamin Wilson; #44 Darius Wilson; Head Coach Paul White; Assistant Coaches Robert White, Gerrod Jenkins, Marcus Brisbone, and Maurice Jordan; Team Parent Josie Cole. The Junior Midgets squad of the Blythewood Bengals Youth Football Association ended its season at the Pop Warner Mid–South Regional Championship at North Gaston High School in Dallas, N.C., November 21. The Bengals traveled a long road to get to the Regional Championships.

They started their journey August 1 with practice and proved themselves victorious after a full season of seven regular games (record 5–2), winning the state championship and two regional playoff games.

On Saturday, the team made up of 11 to 13 year olds finished its season only one step away from the Pop Warner Super Bowl – serving as the only South Carolina team to compete at this level.

In just three short years, the Blythewood Youth Football Association (BYFA) has demonstrated what South Carolina football is all about. Here are just a few highlights garnered by this squad alone since its inception: three regional playoff appearances, two regional championship games, three state playoff appearances, two state championship games (winners in both), and two undefeated regular seasons (gave up only six points in two years).

Head coach Paul White and assistant coaches Robert White, Gerrod Jenkins, Marcus Brisbone, and Marcus Jordan not only guided these young men to excel on the football field, but they also encouraged them to excel in the classroom and the community.

Over 75% of the team has a 3.0 grade point average or better and 40% of those players have achieved the honor of being named Pop Warner All–American Scholars for at least two of the last three years, an honor only given to the top 4% of all students who participate in Pop Warner Programs across the country.

This team is also civic minded and has exhibited a commitment to its community by serving as youth counselors, volunteers at various social service organizations, Beta Club Members, active members of various youth organizations, and by feeding the homeless. Many team members are currently enrolled in the various magnet programs throughout Richland School District Two, and some will move on to high school football next year.

To learn more about the Blythewood Youth Football Association, visit www.blythewoodyouthfootball. com.