DIRECTORY | I s s u e 5 0 | J an uar y - M arc h 2 016 Pe m bro ke P in e s S p o r t s & A c t i v i t i e s D i r e c t o r y
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ince 1997, the Pembroke Pines Optimist (PPO) Bengals have been promoting football, sportsmanship, team play, discipline and ethical behavior, which will allow for future success in life, as well as in sports. Teams continue to prove that they have what it takes to win. The tackle football program has been ranked #1 in the AYFL Power Rankings for the past 13 years and has 35 AYFL Super Bowl titles, which is the most in league history. The Bengals had another successful season in 2015, with the 9U and 12U teams winning Super Bowl championships, and they are determined to keep the momentum going in 2016. “We are successful, because we love the game and love what we do,” said Jim Ross who has been Commissioner since 2000. “We have great group of dedicated administrators, coaches, parents and players and we are all like one big family. We have an established program that works and we do our best to keep it in tact.” After finishing the regular season 9-1, the Bengals 9U team defeated the Miramar Wolverines (7-0) for the championship title. The team also had a successful season last year, but lost in the Super Bowl. “The key to the team’s success is hard work, dedication from each player and teamwork, as well as good preparation and game planning,” said John Olkinitsky, 9U head coach. According to Olkinitsky, some of the key players include: King Davis, Jahiem Williams, Ean Pope, Issac Dorlean, Sebastian Senese, Manny Acosta, Kevin Harkleroad, Jonathan Morillo, Jeramiah Jean-Philippe, Andrew Crowley, Willie Bankston, Jaden Stephens, Jackson Campell, Torian Bean, Cortney Terlonge, Xavier Bennett, Dylan Taylor, Marcello Nieves and Maverick Jones. After finishing the regular season 13-0, the Bengals 12U team defeated the Miramar Wolverines (38-6) for the championship title. It was a sweet victory for the Bengals, since it was the Wolverines that ended their 37 game winning streak and season in 2014. Twenty-five of the players have been with Chris McGonigal, 12U head coach, since they were eight years old. The team has a 64-4 record for the last five seasons, three Super Bowl wins (four appearances), two DCS State Championships, and holds the third longest winning streak in league history. The team’s cumulative GPA averages between 3.1 and 3.4. McGonigal expects the team to continue its dominance on the football field, as well as in the classroom. “We play fast, we execute, and we play like a family,” said McGonigal. “All of our athletes
By Debby Teich
on offense take a lot of pride in blocking for each other and are committed to putting the team first. There are no egos on this team. It also helps that my players have an extremely high football IQ, skill set and are some of the best athletes in the country in the class of 2021.” McGonigal says his roster is filled with future D1 prospects and All Americans. Some of the key players include: Jayden McBurrows, Vinson Davis, Robert Floyd, Nick Vattiato, Micah Rolle, Laurence Seemoure, Kyle Herrera, Amari Avin, William Spicer, Xavier Johnson, Earl Little JR, Angelo Ponds, Corey Clarker, John Bushae, Cameron McDuffie and Jeremy Acosta. The PPO tackle football program includes Developmental Pee Wee Tackle (ages 5-6) and Tackle (ages 7-14). There are seven divisions, with approximately 300 players and 60 volunteer coaches. The season runs from July to November, with spring training in May. Practices and home games are held at Pines Recreation Center Park, 7400 Pines Boulevard. Most of the players’ families are die-hard fans and very committed to the program. “Our goal is to keep the kids off the streets and away from television sets,” said Ross. “We want them at the park learning team work, citizenship, and building self-esteem.” The program has produced many successful players. Some well-known Bengals include: Jonathan Beason, linebacker for the New York Giants; Earl Little who played in the NFL for eight years; Joey Bosa, 2016 Top NFL draft choice from Ohio State; and Nick Bosa, top college recruit in the nation, who is committed to Ohio State. “I am always excited when our teams win,” said Ross. “What motivates me the most, however, is when our players have the opportunity to play at a top high school and beyond.” For information, visit www.ppobengals.org.