Sports
Pop Warner Pee Wees Open Season Honoring the Late Coach Jason Donovan
Find out what happened with Pop Warner Islanders football Week One and who the Islanders will play on the road Week Two.
This season, you might notice that the Islander Pop Warner Pee Wee division players are wearing special decals on their helmets.
Before the start of Sunday's game, also this year's season opener, the Pee Wees gathered at midfield, each player giving a heartfelt helmet high-to-the-sky salute to the recently deceased coach and father Jason Donovan, who passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at home. His son Kyle, a player, also was in attendance for Sunday's ceremony and helped lead the team onto the midfield.
Donovan, a Newport, RI native and 1993 graduate from Rogers High School, was involved with many sports growing up and excelled in varsity baseball, basketball and football. He continued to stay involved in sports as an adult and played for the Newport Rugby Club. Until his untimely death, Donovan coached and mentored young athletes, as well as his son Kyle, in many local sports programs.
Find out what's happening in Middletownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Following the tribute Sunday, the Pee Wees then proceeded to dominate the visiting Bristol Mustangs 31-6 in their season opener.
More Pop Warner week one Highlights:- The first game of the day Sunday was a nail-biter as the Mighty Mites narrowly held a 7-7 tie with a last second interception on the 10-yard line.
- Also Sunday, the Junior Pee Wee division suffered a heart-wrenching 19-13 loss, in spite of second half signs that the offense and passing game were starting to click. If it wasn't for a late holding penalty that offset a 52-yard touchdown run with three minutes to go, the outcome might have been different had the Islander coaching staff gone for an onside kick.
sunday's Scores:
Find out what's happening in Middletownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Middletown Islanders Midget: 6 - Coventry Rams: 18
Week two Preview:
The Islanders take to the road to battle New Bedford, 1121 Ashley Boulevard New Bedford, MA, 02745. For the complete season schedule, visit the Islanders website.
Click here for directions to the field, located at New Bedford Vocational School and Yahoo Map:
Directions:
From 195 East:
- Take Rte 140 North
- Take the Kings Highway exit
- Take a left off exit onto Kings Hwy
- Kings Highway turns into Tarkiln Hill Rd
- Take a left onto Ashley Blvd.
- School is on your left across from cemetery
inside islanders football:
Pop Warner President Tina Vars and Football Coordinator Graham Sellar on Sunday commended the Middletown concession stand for being among the best in New England, thanks to the people that make it run smoothly every week. They also commended the league's coaches, volunteers and family members for helping the season get off to such a great start.
Also this season, Pop Warner officials announced that enrollment is up by 50 new players from last season.
For the complete season schedule, visit the Islanders website.
