KEALAKEHE — The West Side Eagles, Kona’s premier 11-under Pop Warner football team, captured island glory Sunday afternoon at Waverider Stadium.
The youth squad added to its undefeated season (9-0) by beating the Waimea Cowboys by a score of 16-6 — officially claiming the Big Island Pop Warner Football Conference Championship.
The Eagles scored two touchdowns in the first half, but Waimea made it interesting until the final whistle. With 49 seconds left in regulation, the Eagles converted a first-down run, icing the victory.
With the win, the Eagles will head to Orlando, Fla., for the Pop Warner National Championships from Dec. 2-9. The club is creating a QR code that accepts donations for the team’s pursuit to central Florida. Details will become available at a later date. Additionally, the Hawaii League Association (HLA) will notify the public of any future fundraisers for the Eagles’ journey.