By Gabrielle Harradine
Special to the Daily Press

SAMOHI The Santa Monica Vikings Pee Wee football team will be looking to bring home a championship this weekend, after disposing of Gardenia in a hard-fought victory Saturday night.

“It was a tough battle,” said Michael Ehrlich, who coached the Pee Wee squad of 11- and 12-year-olds to the 24-19 win.

The Vikings’ road to the Pacific Coast Conference Championship won’t get any easier this Saturday, having to go through the Lakewood Huskies — a squad that has only lost one game in four years.

“They are a very formidable opponent,” said Ehrlich. “(But) if we focus and execute, nobody can beat us.”

Meanwhile, the Jr. Pee Wees came up just short in their bid to play for the title. The team faced a three-way tie-breaker against Culver City and Downey last Thursday, each vying for a spot in the quarterfinals. Culver City prevailed in the tense tie-breaker, and has since gone to make it to the finals.

Coach Allen Hankel said Monday that, despite the team’s small roster, the players worked really hard and had a great year.

The Mitey Mites — the youngest of the Santa Monica teams that earned a spot in the postseason — fell in the first round on Saturday. The 8- and 9-year-olds faced a tough Torrance Panthers team, and despite taking an early lead with a touchdown just five plays in, they could not hold off the powerful Panthers. Running back Indiana McAlpine supported the Mitey Mites with tough work and dedication, playing both offense and defense, said coach Rick Regalado.

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