SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO – For the third year in a row, the Tri City Gators, Orange team, an exceptional group of 11-year-old football players from Murrieta, has earned the title of Wescon regional champions. After a hard-fought 26-12 victory over Saddleback Valley last month, Tri City secured its spot at the National Championships in North Carolina, which began Dec. 5.
The Tri City Gators, which competes in the 11U Division 1 of the Mt. Baldy Conference, has put together a perfect 14-0 season. Their journey to the regional title was marked by determination and a powerful team dynamic that has set them apart.
The road to the championship was not an easy one. The Gators first had to conquer their own conference, finishing the regular season with an undefeated 10-0 record. Their quest for a conference title culminated in a tense championship game against the Fontana Wolves, where they emerged with a 20-16 win.
“I’m blessed to coach such a talented and dedicated group of athletes,” Head Coach Matt Nunez said. “These boys are hungry for a National Championship.”
That hunger has been a driving force for the Tri City Gators, which has experienced national-level competition before. In previous years, as a 9U and 10U squad, the Gators reached the national semifinals, only to fall just short of the final game with close losses of 6-0 and 7-2. According to Nunez, this year is different. The team is determined to bring a national title back home to California.
This level of focus is rare for young athletes, but it defines the Tri City Gators. Their commitment was clear on Halloween night. Instead of going out for trick-or-treating, the players collectively decided to have an early team dinner and get a good night’s sleep ahead of a critical game. This discipline has been a key ingredient in the Gators’ success.
After winning the Mt. Baldy conference, the Tri City Gators, advanced to the Wescon regional playoffs. In the first round on Nov. 8, they faced the West Coast Conference champion, the El Cajon Wildboys, and won decisively with a 32-12 score. The following week, in the regional semifinal, the Gators delivered a dominant performance, shutting out the Arizona Snakes 28-0 to advance to the regional final.
Their final regional test came on Nov. 22 at San Juan Hills High School against a tough Saddleback Valley team. With a trip to Nationals on the line, Tri City rose to the occasion, securing a 26-12 victory and their third straight regional crown.
Now with an unblemished record, the Tri City Gators will prepare for the biggest stage in youth football. They will travel to North Carolina with the goal of finally capturing the national title that has narrowly eluded them for the past two seasons. Details from the championships will be available in the next issue.
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