After an unforgettable high school football season in Long Beach, perhaps the most memorable moment came from a group of middle schoolers playing on one of the sport’s biggest stages. The Patriots 11U team out of Long Beach got the chance to play at SoFi Stadium for their Snoop Dogg Super Bowl XVI championship, dominating their rival Baldwin Hills, 25-6.
The Patriots defense allowed just one first down in the entire first half, and Long Beach also scored on its first play from scrimmage, a 15-yard TD pass from Theodore Watkins Jr. to Derrick Jackson. It was the start of quite a game for Jackson, who scored three touchdowns on just six touches, including an 81-yard TD run to give the Patriots a 19-0 halftime lead. The Patriots were in control the entire game, finishing off an undefeated season in impressive fashion to claim the Super Bowl title.
“This means a lot for these kids,” said Patriots coach Prentice Jones. “For them to put their trust in us, then we go undefeated and come and win a championship? It means everything to me, because it really is about the kids. Look how happy they are.”
