Hoffman Estates youth football squads playing for national titles
Back in August, eighth-grader Dayven Shinhoster of Hoffman Estates made a bold promise to his youth football team: He'd shave his head if they made it to nationals.
Last week, they did, and though Dayven sported his thick head of hair during practice Tuesday at the Schaumburg Sports Center, he says it's coming off.
“I don't mind,” the young running back said. “It's pretty exciting to go.”
In all, two Hoffman Estates Redhawks teams won their respective Mid-America Regional championships to advance to the Pop Warner Super Bowl in Orlando, covered on ESPN3.
The Junior PeeWees, made up of 9-11-year-olds, advanced last weekend by completing a perfect 13-0 season. The PeeWees, made up of 10-12-year-olds, only lost one game during their 12-1 season.
The teams are made up of boys from Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg, Streamwood, Hanover Park, Elk Grove Village, Bartlett, Roselle and Elgin.
“This is like the equivalent of the Jackie Robinson squad making it to the (Little League) World Series,” said parent volunteer Carol Hominac of Schaumburg.
That's the good news, coaches say.
The challenge is paying for the trip. They estimate the week in Orlando will cost up to $1,200 per player, and though the team is partially funded, they still are trying to raise $25,000 over the next few days with the help of a GoFundMe page.
“This is a bare bones trip,” said Hoffman Estates police Sgt. Mike Mueller, who serves as president of the Redhawks organization. “We're driving down in vans and one of the first things we'll do when we get there is buy bread to make sandwiches.
“Most of these kids have never been to Florida, let alone Disney World,” he added. “It's a real culture shock when they get there.”
Just to advance, both teams had to win their 27-team conference title and win three regional games against teams from across the Midwest.
“It's exciting to be playing among some of the best teams in the nation,” said lineman Anthony Hernandez, 12, of Schaumburg.
“It's like going to the Super Bowl,” added his teammate, Jesse Williams, 12, of Schaumburg.
Rick Cyr of Elk Grove Village coaches the Junior PeeWees, while Mueller coaches the PeeWees. Both played on the same Pop Warner football team growing up.
“These are good kids who listen well and execute,” Cyr said. “And they're hungry on defense. They'll do whatever it takes to keep teams from getting in the end zone.”
Mueller guided a Junior Midget level Red Hawks team to nationals last year, but it's just as satisfying this year, he says, especially since many of them are involved in the LEAP program, or Law Enforcement Athletics Program. Its goal is to enable local children to participate in athletics, where they learn the value of teamwork and discipline, while interacting with law enforcement members.
“As the playoffs approached, we started to plan for the possibility of going to nationals, but you never really think it's going to happen,” Mueller said. “To get this far they had to play at a very high level.”
Hoffman Estates RedHawks go for national crown
What: Hoffman Estates Redhawks prep football teams advance to nationals in Orlando
When: Games on Saturday and Tuesday, championship on Dec. 12
Where: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Buena Vista, FL
How to watch: Games will be broadcast online on ESPN3
Fundraising information: GoFundMe page located at: www.gofundme.com/hy2p2g.