GAME FILM: Ocoee Cardinals take third place at AYF Nationals

KISSIMMEE  The Ocoee Cardinals 14U team concluded play at American Youth Football Nationals the morning of Dec. 10 by dominating a team from East Valley, Ariz., 32-0.

The dominant victory locked up third place in the 14U A Bracket for the Cardinals and came just two days after Ocoee defeated a team from Salem, Mass., by the same score of 32-0.

In the tournament's opening round, on Dec. 6, the Cardinals struggled in part due to the long layoff between Southeast Regionals and Nationals. The break was nearly a month, as AYF Southeast Regionals wrapped play on Nov. 13. Ocoee, which also was down to 17 players due to injury, fell to the Osceola Panthers in that opening contest, 28-0.

"I'm proud that they worked through their adversity," head coach Julian Pittman said. "We have a lot of injuries and a couple guys that didn't make it to the second and third game. So, for these guys to come together and play through adversity, I'm just very proud of them — hats go off to them."

Contact Steven Ryzewski at [email protected].