The 11U Abington Raiders, now 8-0, are heading to the Bux-Mont Youth League semifinal on Saturday, October 26 at 10:00am at Alverthorpe Park in Abington Township.

A win against rival Souderton will earn the squad a return ticket to the league championship and a chance to defend their last year’s title.

The Raiders defeated Souderton 29-0 two weeks ago during the regular season. Don Watkins, now in his sixth year as head coach, has seen great things from the 21-player lineup all year.

“Souderton’s well coached and have one of the better quarterbacks in the league. We’re playing great team ball. We have 18 returnees from last year’s team, plus three new kids who are playing real good football,” Watkins said. “They’re adjusting to much bigger opponents.”

“To reload and have another shot at a championship is pretty special,” he said.

“We haven’t allowed a point on defense since Week 2. Our offense averages about 28 points a game, maybe more,” defensive coordinator Matt Moyer, now in his third year with the program, said. “The kids are having fun, we’re learning a lot and developing the players. Our league is very good, so there’s good competition every week.”

Last year’s team went to Disney World in December to play in the Pop Warner Super Bowl after being crowned the Eastern Region and Bux-Mont 10U Div 1 champions in November.

The Raiders took down a team from Santa Cruz, California 32-0.

“We beat up on them pretty good. We went on the semis and played Coastal Caroline. They beat us with no time remaining on a ‘tush push’, if you can believe it,” Watkins said. “That trip really is a once in a lifetime experience for the kids. They absolutely loved it.”

“We hope to defend our championship from last year. That’s our goal, to win the Bux-Mont championship,” Moyer said. “The kids are working really hard. They’re a pleasure to coach. The parents have been great.”

For the team’s fundraising page, you can click here.

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Photos: Abington Raiders