by Lisa Reisman
Newly crowned state champions on Saturday at Veterans Field, with sights set higher… Credit: Shatea Threadgill photo
If there’s an authority on the historical significance of the 13U Pop Warner New Haven Steelers’ 2026 season, it’s more likely than not Leonard Jahad, the organization’s vice president and native New Havener who’s dedicated his career to supporting youth, particularly those at risk, in the area.
So when Jahad pronounces the 13U Steelers “a once-in-a-decade team,” as he did Saturday afternoon on the cusp of the team’s — spoiler alert — third consecutive state championship, it might be wise to listen.
For the players, most of whom have been playing together since they were six and will disperse to high schools next season, “this is special,” he said, as the seconds ticked down on a 41-0 trouncing of Hartford. “And it’s everybody — the kids, the coaches, the team moms, the families, the community that comes out to support them — they’ve all bought in.” He gestured at the stands at West Haven’s Veterans Park which were three-quarters full. “The crowd, the festival-like atmosphere, you just don’t see this every year.”
Now, with regionals in two weeks, the goal set last December and re-ignited at the first practice in July, has not budged. As offensive coordinator Demelle Turner put it, it’s “a natty,” and — because nothing is ever as simple as it seems — the $3,500 needed to get to Charlotte to compete for one.
But first, a review of the three previous games.
10/18/26: New Haven 38 – Danbury 0
L.J. Howard coaching with head coach Garrett Barros.
By the second quarter on a sun-drenchedmid-October afternoon at Danbury’s Kaplanis Field, the game was 24-0 and, by any stretch, out of hand.
That was when head coach Garrett Barros made an executive decision. He ordered the first-stringers to strip their jerseys and pads. Some of them he promoted to coaching positions. Others he flipped assignments: skill position players were now linemen and burly linemen were running backs.
“We still gonna have some fun,” said Barros with a wide grin, as defensive standout Jomar Rodriguez rumbled down the field for a 15-yard gain.
“You gotta let me do my job,” wide receiver and linebacker L.J. Howard, now offensive coordinator, told Coach Nate Morrison who was peering over his clipboard.
“Watch the ball, watch the ball, watch the ball,” quarterback William “E.J.” McClary directed his players, Jayce Sims took a jet sweep 50 yards into the end zone. The sideline erupted.
“We’re giving them the opportunity to coach if they ever want to be coaches in the future,” said defensive coach Angel Ojeda. It was also another way for them to see the game, according to defensive coordinator Martin Colon. “They get to understand how much time is on the clock, what you can call and can’t call, what packages to run,” he said, as Andre Martin Jr. celebrated his touchdown with a Dougie, sending the coaches, players, and fans into hysterics.
“You gotta tell your players to take a knee,” team mom Dolores Roberts was telling one of the player-coaches as an opposing player lay injured on the turf.
The third quarter ended. It was 38-0. The ref’s whistle trilled.“It’s over,” said one coach. There was some confusion. “Refs are calling it.” There would be no coming back for Danbury.
“Our secondary played amazing,” said Trevor Gray, fresh off his first coaching gig. “Had some nice hits. We all did wonderful.”
Andre Martin, Jr. Credit: Lisa Reisman photo
“Feels great,” said Andre Martin, Jr, about the experience of scoring a touchdown. “Got the crowd going, top of the world.”
“Just an awesome day,” said offensive coordinator Demelle Turner. “The kids were great, they had fun, and that’s all that matters.”
11/1/26: New Haven 45 – New Britain 0, Conference Champs
At the Southern CT Pop Warner Conference championships back in Danbury two weeks later, there were no inspiring halftime speeches. “They don’t need it,” said defensive coach Morrison. Despite some questionable non-calls on pass interference, according to defensive coordinator Colon, the team was up 25-0 over the New Britain Jr. Canes.
The usual stars — including William “E.J.” McClary, L.J. Howard, and Cameron Davis Jr., along with Noah Concepcion and Jaden Pickette — were showing out on both sides of the ball. That continued from the first possession of the second half, with Jay Threadgill leading a march downfield and Trevor Gray Jr. punching it in. Claudia Sandoval’s drill horn sounded. The players surrounded Gray. The crowd cheered. A Christian Barajas extra point made it 33-0.
On New Britain’s ensuing possession, L.J. Howard flung down the running back for a loss. “That’s right,” Coach Jay Davis called out. Christopher Wiley sacked the quarterback. It was third and 11. “We gotta get the tackle, we gotta get the tackle,” said Colon. New Britain turned it over on downs.
“No mercy,” said someone in the crowd, shaking his head.
“Eyes on the prize,” the other replied.
After Jaden Pickette glided into the end zone, lengthening the score to 39-0, Davian “Brodie” Colon tackled a running back for no gain. His teammates jumped up and down, cheering. Someone broke up a pass. There was revelry. There was jubilation. “No letting up,” said defensive coach Jason “Oso” Burnett. “No no no.”
New Haven Steelers coaches after SCC win, from left Jason “Oso” Burnett, Martin Colon, Nate Morrison, Jay Davis, Cameron Davis Sr. and head coach Garrett Barros. Credit: Lisa Reisman photo
“It’s more emotional for me right now,” said Coach Nate Morrison as the team celebrated its SCC Championship. “I’ve been with this team from 2021, since I was 20, and now I’m 25, it’s been a part of half my twenties, and it’s going fast and I want it to last longer.” His plan, he said, is to coach younger kids. “I’d rather get to them early and get their fundamentals right.”
Coach Jay Davis was defiant. “Ain’t no fakin’,’” he shouted, proclaiming the team’s slogan. “We been doing it all year, and we’ll be back next week, and it’ll be two rings in two weeks.”
Quarterback E.J. McClary was composed. “It felt good,” he said. “I think I did good. The whole team did good.”
“We came out, we dominated, we showed everybody that we’re for real and we’re going to bring back the natty,” said Turner, the offensive coordinator.
11/7/26: New Haven 41 – Hartford 0, State Champs
Another week, another ring: Steelers Cameron Davis Jr. with Steelers VP Leonard Jahad. Credit: Lisa Reisman photo
Tempers flared. A November wind whipped. There was palpable hostility in the air.
“No love lost between these teams,” said someone on the Steelers sideline of New Haven and Hartford at Veterans Park in West Haven on Saturday.
On the kickoff, L.J. Howard powered the return into the end zone. Fifteen seconds into the state championship game, it was 7-0 Steelers. There were shrieks, jumping high fives on the Steelers sideline.
“We win it in the trenches, we win this game,” Coach Colon shouted to his players during an early timeout.
Then another score, this one set up by Cam Davis Jr. breaking free to the three-yard line. Christian Barajas lodged the extra point through the uprights. It was 15-0 New Haven.
“Let’s go defense,” the crowd chanted after Noah Concepcion brought down a Junior Cane with a ferocious tackle. “Watch the middle, watch the middle,” the coaches bellowed. There was another stop by the Steelers.
On the ensuing possession, an opposing player twisted and wrenched Christopher Wiley’s face mask, sending him flying. The full wrath of coaches, team moms, team dads, and sideline dignitaries descended on the referee. “You gotta start making the calls,” one coach called out in the melee.
Then, as if to restore order, McClary, the quarterback, sliced through the defense into the end zone, drawing gasps from the crowd. “Beautiful,” someone said. Hartford looked gassed, defeated.
Water boys David and Sy. Credit: Lisa Reisman photo
By the second half, the Steelers, it seemed, could taste victory. First came Jay Threadgill dispatching the kickoff returner with a ferocious tackle. Water boys David Rangolam and Sy McClary rushed onto the field, offering bottles to players. “This is a great team,” said Sy who’s the younger brother of quarterback E.J. McClary and on the 8U team. David, a running back and cornerback for the 10U Steelers team, agreed.
Once Jaden Pickette’s long gains put the team on the six-yard line, everyone seemed to loosen up. Coach Jay Wright practiced his bowling delivery, then his jump shot.
Head coach Garrett Barros in fourth quarter with the game out of reach. Credit: Lisa Reisman photo
“They’re just good kids, good students from good families, and the coaches, they’re all solid, so everyone buys in, everyone does their part,” said Jahad, the league vice president, during the trophy ceremony.
He said he recently had gone to his fraternity brothers at Phi Beta Sigma, asking for $15 donations to buy the team new jerseys with names on the back. He got what he needed and then some. “My brothers get it,” he said. “They get how this team is a positive force in this community, how they’re bringing everybody together, lifting everybody up. That’s everything.”
Jay Threadgill, L.J. Howard, and E.J. McClary of the iconic New Haven Steelers. Credit: Lisa Reisman photo