There was no practice at Colt Park Monday for the Hartford Wildcats, two days after the 12-and-under youth football team won the regional championship.
But now some real work has begun, as boosters try to raise $35,000 so the players can pursue the national championship next month in Kissimmee, Florida.
"Any size donations, no donation is too small," said their coach, Von Allen.
Some of the players have been Wildcats since second or third grade. Running back/linebacker Bernard Lee is one of them.
"Through all the years it's been tough, with all the cold weather, but we worked hard through it, come to practice every day, making it happen, working hard," he said.
Saturday, the Wildcats beat Leominster, Massachusetts 51-7 to win Nee England title. They've never won regionals before and many of the players have never been to Florida before.
" I'm really excited," said center Devon Gay. "We work so hard and it just feels good to playoff."
They've won the right but not the fight yet as organizers try to raise up to $35,000 for the trip. They only have til Dec. 5 to raise the money and take their shot at the national title.
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Coach Allen said,"That's all they want to do. At the end of the day there's only one happy team.
That's the team who wins nationals."
Click here to make a donation to the Hartford Wildcats on their gofundme.com page.
