Little guys lay the lumber

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers STICK 'EM—Jacob Ulmann of the Simi Valley Vikings Green tackles Camarillo Cougars Black player Adam Ruiz during last Saturday's playoff contest at Apollo High. Simi Valley won, 22-0. Eight-year-old Corey Pool woke up early Saturday morning, but it wasn't to watch cartoons.

Instead of sitting in front of the television, Pool put on his football pads and helmet because he was ready to "score some touchdowns, hit someone hard and make someone cry."

That morning at Apollo High in Simi Valley, Pool had his share of big hits for the Camarillo Cougars Mighty Mite Black squad but, unfortunately, the team couldn't score any touchdowns in its 22-0 loss to the Simi Valley Vikings Green.

With the win, the Vikings (10-0) advance to the semifinals of the Gold Coast Youth Football League Mighty Mite playoffs on Saturday.

The Cougars, who finished the season with a 9-1 record, were eliminated from the postseason.

Both teams consist of 7- and 8-year-olds.

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers BREAK ON THROUGH—Simi Valley's Christian Lancellotti outraces Camarillo's Jace Morin. Prior to deadline, the GCYFL had not updated its playoff brackets. The Mighty Mite Super Bowl will be played at Royal High on Dec. 6.

Simi Valley also had teams competing in the Bantam, Junior and Senior division playoffs.

Jacob Ulmann got things going offensively for the Vikings in the first quarter when he used a fierce stiff-arm to aid a 26-yard run for a touchdown that gave Simi Valley a 6-0 lead.

A few minutes later, Ulmann looked like he might score again when he carried the ball down the sideline for 45 yards, but he accidentally ran out of bounds at the 5-yard line. Ulmann's teammate, Tyler Dobbs, scored from five yards out on the next play.

Although Dobbs enjoys producing touchdowns, he said his favorite part of football is playing defense.

"I love defense because I love sticking people," Dobbs said.

After Dobbs scored, Jared Henderson ran in for the twopoint conversion, and the Vikings were in control with a 14-0 lead.

Henderson, 8, said he wants to be a running back in the NFL when he grows up.

"My favorite part of football is running the ball," Henderson said. "I like the Chargers, and LaDainian Tomlinson is my favorite player."

In the third quarter, the Vikings extended their lead when Jordan Ulmann scored on the ground from six yards out. Jacob Ulmann then completed a pass to Anthony Porrazzo for the twopoint conversion and a 22-0 lead.

Although the Cougars' season was finished, Camarillo head coach Pete Morin said he was happy with how much the team had learned during the season.

"I'm surprised they retained as much as they did when we taught them," Morin said with a laugh. "The kids are only 7 or 8, so it's always hard to get their attention. We'll be screaming at them, but not because we're mad at them. We yell just because we need them to pay attention."

Fans were into the action as well.

Although the kids may be a decade away from playing high school varsity football, the fans were already in top form. Cheers from the crowd ranged from "Go Green Machine!" to "Get mad (insert child's name here). Make them go home crying!"

Vikings head coach Bill Dobbs said every Saturday this season has been a blast.

"It's been a lot of fun spending time with these kids," Coach Dobbs said. "The kids want to learn, and we try to keep things simple for them. We have a lot of coaches teaching numerous drills, so that way the kids aren't standing around bored."

Cougar running back Noah Swindle, whose favorite players are New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush and Tomlinson, said he enjoyed learning how to play the game this year.

Although Swindle's team lost, he remained upbeat after the game while comparing bruises with Pool.

"Look at mine," said Swindle, in awe while looking at his hands. "Mine are bleeding right now!"