Hoffman Estates Redhawks advance in Orlando

The Hoffman Estates Redhawks will move on to the second round of the Pop Warner Junior Midget Division playoffs Tuesday after shutting out the Loveland Titans of Colorado 28-0 Saturday afternoon in Orlando.

The Redhawks will take on the Northeast Pride of Arizona in Tuesday's game beginning at 12:15 p.m.

Though up against teams from across the country now, the Redhawks are confident without being arrogant after having lost only one game in two years, defensive coordinator Storm Warner said.

“We drove right down the field the very first possession,” he said. “They were very confident, very focused, before the game.”

But Warner doesn't believe the surefire victory is causing the 27 middle-school boys to lose perspective about themselves and their abilities.

“They're very humble kids,” he said. “They don't walk around with a chip on their shoulder. They don't think they're better than anyone else.”

Nevertheless, Warner said the Colorado team was the first in the playoffs to experience the Chicago-style football his young players deliver.

“We caused four fumbles and two interceptions, and our defense scored a touchdown, which I'm very happy about,” Warner said.

The Northeast Pride defeated its first foe — the Bergen County Stars of New Jersey — 14-6 on Saturday.

All the remaining teams in the division are aiming for the championship title to be determined by the Pop Warner Super Bowl on Friday, Dec. 13.

The Redhawks' competitive cheer squad is also competing in the national championships in Orlando.