New Haven Steelers Dominate Soul Bowl

by Lisa Reisman

Coach Jaylin Davis, with Jomar Rodriguez.

Toward the end of the third quarter at the Soul Bowl between the New Haven Steelers and the New Britain Jr. Canes on at Bowen Field, a banner materialized on the Steelers sideline.

Raised aloft by offensive line coach Jaylin Davis and defensive standout Jomar Rodriguez among a sideline of players clad in yellow-and-black jerseys and pads, it read DONUT SQUAD.

By then, the score was 28-0. That was one donut. There was another. Defensive coordinator Martin Colon’s stout defense had stopped the Jr. Canes from advancing even one yard. His defense had also scored.

This was, it seemed, precisely the start for a team with national championship aspirations — and a defensive coordinator in Colon who had expressly guaranteed that his defense would yield a maximum of 20 points all season.

The Melvin “Biggie” Wells Preseason Soul Bowl — named in honor of the beloved local figure and dedicated community youth football advocate — is an annual youth football kickoff event hosted by the New Haven Steelers youth organization. Saturday’s tournament featured a full slate of back-to-back games across age-based divisions. The highly anticipated 13U tilt was the last.

The New Haven Steelers play in the Pop Warner Football League, which has as its mission to encourage youth participation in sports; to “instill values of teamwork, dedication, and a superior work ethic”; and to ensure scholastic aptitude among its members. Approximately 60 percent to 70 percent of all NFL players began their organized football careers in a Pop Warner program, according to estimates from the NFL Players Association.

Last season, the 13U team dominated the New England region, reaching nationals but falling in the first round. With many of them having played together for years, this year, their last hurrah before they branch off for different high schools, the goal is plain: win it all.

The final score, 34-6, Steelers, was not official. Given the preseason nature of the contest, the organization publishes no statistics. “It’s an opportunity to answer a lot of questions,” said head coach Garrett Barros before the game, pronouncing himself in a state between anxious and excited.

Saturday’s performance, it seemed, provided a resounding yes to most questions. The opening sequence, with the Canes on offense, featured a two-yard loss, a resounding sack, and then a safety, which awards two points to the defense for stopping the offense in its own end zone. Coaches and players on the sideline erupted. Then came DeMelle Turner’s offense. Their first sequence resulted in a touchdown. So did their second. And third.

“That’s what I’m talking about,” defensive line coach Nate Morrison shouted amid the cool late-August breeze. “Let’s go, boys.”

Through three quarters, the domination continued, with the defense standing tall, forming an indestructible wall across the line of scrimmage, and the offense, sparked by running backs Jaden Pickette and Cameron Davis Jr., and wide receivers Christopher Wiley and Romeo Ojeda, seemingly scoring at will. The water boys and girls rushed each player’s bottles to them. Team moms Delores Roberts and Shatea Threadgill distributed fruit cups, kept the chaos in order. The crowd was all in. The donut flag fluttered in the wind.

Meanwhile, New Britain’s team appeared demoralized. Shoulders slumped, some looked up at the azure blue sky, others off into the middle distance.

With five minutes to play, there was a running play, resulting in the Canes’ first positive yardage of the day. That seemed to embolden them. After a loss and a gain of seven yards, which had cornerback Noah Concepcion shoving the opposing player out of bounds, came two quick passes. Then, the unthinkable. The referee’s arms went up. Touchdown. The crowd went silent. On the other side of the field was jubilation.

“That’s alright,” shouted Turner, the offensive coordinator. “Let’s go, let’s get it back.”  

One play later, quarterback William “E.J.” McClary was feinting left, then right, then, finding an opening, breaking for the end zone. Order was restored. The final score: 34-6.

“That was a mistake,” Colon said, holding the trophy with his son Davian, who goes by Brodie. “That means we have work to do so it doesn’t happen again.” Defensive coach Jason “Oso” Burnett agreed. “It wasn’t the perfection we wanted.”

“Yeah, but it’s still a win,” Brodie answered, a grin spreading across his face, as he took off at a run to join his teammates.

Kaden Wells going out for the pass in the second half of Soul Bowl at Bowen Field.

Davian “Brodie” Colon with his father, defensive coordinator Martin Colon, after the game.