By Jared Morgan
Special to the Daily Press

SAMOHI Three of five teams in the Santa Monica Youth Football program have advanced to the Pacific Coast Conference quarterfinals — coach Rick Regalado’s Mitey Mites, the youngest players in the program; coach Allen Hankel’s Jr. Pee Wees and Michael Ehrlich’s undefeated Pee Wees.

The Santa Monica Youth Football program features players ranging in age from 7 to 14 years old, with the youngest starting out on the Mighty Mites, and then as they get older, progressing through the ranks of Jr. Pee Wee, Jr. Midget, Pee Wee and, ultimately, the Midget squad.

On Saturday, the Pee Wees (8-0) will square off against the Gardena Mohicans on their turf at Redondo High School.

The last time the Vikings faced the Mohicans was during their yearly August scrimmage.

“We were very evenly matched ... (Gardena) is a formidable opponent. They’re well-coached, good guys,” said Coach Ehrlich.

As testament to the Pee Wees’ power, the mercy rule has been invoked in seven of their eight games, allowing their counterparts to save a little face. A team is mercied when the other gains a 30-point advantage.

“The only team that has given us any trouble was Palos Verdes, but we beat them 18-6,” said Ehrlich.

The winner of next Saturday’s game advances to play Downey the following weekend in the quarterfinals.

Last Saturday, the Pee Wee Vikings played the Torrance Maroon Panthers — a few turnovers slowed the first quarter, but the Vikings opened up the second half to secure a 32-point lead and “dominated in the third and fourth quarters,” said Ehrlich.

“Our defense is awesome this season ... we’ve held our opponents to 18 points in eight games, the boys played well,” said Ehrlich.

Because of a rule placed by the Pacific Coast Conference that requires teams to use each individual player in at least six plays during each game, Ehrlich uses his most skilled players in the third and fourth quarters for a strong finish.

Attempts to reach coaches for the Jr. Pee Wees and Mighty Mites proved unsuccessful Monday.

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