By Wendell Brown

In a year that saw the Lancaster Jets send an unprecedented five teams to the Super Bowl, winning four out five division titles, the Jets organization also continued its dominance in Las Vegas over the Thanksgiving weekend at the National Youth Football League’s 2009 Pigskin Tournament. The Mitey Mites, Junior Midgets and Midgets were in attendance and won. 

The Mitey Mites ran away with its first victory when the team faced the San Diego County Otay Ranch Broncos. The final score was 21-0. In the second game that was much tougher, the Mitey Mites pulled the game out with a 13-6 hard-fought victory against the Eastlake Panthers team (also from the San Diego area). The Lancaster Jets team demonstrated poise and execution as the team came from behind to pull out the victory and earn 1^st place in the team’s division. 

The Junior Midgets (JRMs) were tested as well. As the team took the field on a very cold and windy night, it faced off against the Knights out of Arizona.  Battling the elements, the JRMs pulled out the victory 13-6. In the second game the JRMs faced a much disciplined Otay Ranch Broncos team. In a battle of attrition, where the teams went back and forth, the JRMs finally put the game away for good with a running touchdown by the quarterback and scoring the extra point. The final score was 19-18 and the JRMs took first place in its division. 

The Jets Midgets (JMs) team faced off against two powerhouses- the East Los Angeles Bobcats and the Dragonz Majors out of Tempe, AZ. East LA clearly out-weighed the JMs and powered the ball down the field to take an early 6-0 lead. However, the JMs countered the East LA power with its speed and quickly evened the score. The JMs took the lead late in the third with a score and extra point to make it 13-6. Both teams scored in the fourth quarter; the final score was 19-18. 

In the second game, the JMs faced the Dragonz Majors who also out-sized the GLYF Midgets champions. The entire game was played in the middle of the field. The Dragonz put together a drive right before halftime to take a 6-0 lead. Once again, the JMs scored quickly in the third quarter and took the lead on the PAT. As the game went on the Jets defense got stronger; the Dragonz had to go to a new offense- the spread- that was also unsuccessful. The JMs put the game away with a late fourth quarter drive that resulted in six points and attacked the Dragonz offense unmercifully defending the lead. JMs won the game 13-6 and earned the first place trophy and medallions in its division. 

The Lancaster Jets Youth Football organization is undefeated in Las Vegas tournament play since 2003 compiling a record of 16 wins and no losses. Once again, congratulations to the Lancaster Jets on an outstanding program and an unprecedented 2009 season.