Newark Youth Football Team Seeks Donations To Play In National Tournament
NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- As we get ready to celebrate the holidays, there is a championship football team in Newark with one holiday wish.
As CBS2's Cindy Hsu reported, the team wants to raise enough donations to play in the Pop Warner Little Scholars Super Bowl.
The Brick City Lions won the Eastern Regional Pop Warner championships last weekend, which means they now advance to the national tournament in Orlando, Florida.
Members of the team couldn't wait to show off their trophies.
"I was, like, really sentimental, and I started crying," said Marquis Concepcion. "But it's OK. I'm proud of myself. I'm proud of the team."
Making it to the national tournament is huge.
"We have had teams that have gone down to Florida, but we haven't had anybody that actually won," said Brick City Lions Coach Curtis Germany Jr.
But the problem now is that the team doesn't have the money get to Florida. Coach Germany said they need about $40,000 to cover everything from the bus ride to food, room and board.
The players say they have the talent.
"What I see in my future is gold when we go to Florida and win it all," said Brick City Lions quarterback Maasai Maynor.
The Brick City Lions is a nonprofit that started three years ago. Everyone is and the players practice four times a week during the school year -- and nearly every day during the summer.
"I think the biggest lesson is teamwork," said parent Vernon Maynor.
The team wants everyone to know that kids from Newark are champions on the field and in the classroom.
"Somebody help these kids get to Florida – and you know, we would definitely – that would be like a Thanksgiving come true for us," Coach Germany said
The members of the team all have big dreams for the future.
Robert Green, 13, said his dream is "receiving an athletic scholarship USC university and becoming a football player; if not, I always have my education to fall back on. I'll become a doctor or a lawyer."
The Brick City Lions will be back on the practice field money, come rain, snow or sleet, with dreams of bringing the big trophy home.
Those wishing to donate may click here or forward a check to P.O. Box 7320, Newark, NJ, 07107. The tax ID number is 45-9333590.
Check Out These Other Stories From CBSNewYork.com:
