RECAP: AAU Football Nationals Wraps Up at Northeast Regional Park

ORLANDO, Fla. (January 13, 2017) – The sixth annual AAU Tackle Football League Based National Championships concluded last month (Dec. 15-18) with 38 teams from nine states across the nation. Games were held at Northeast Regional Park in Davenport.

8U Division

The 8U action saw Apopka (3-0) and West Orange (2-0) winning their respective pools moving into bracket play.

In bracket play, Apopka took down crosstown rival East Orlando Jr. Predators in the semifinals 19-0 and West Orange beat Central Virginia Elite 9-0. Both teams entered the championship game without allowing a single point throughout the tournament and, ultimately, West Orange earned their first-ever National Championship by a final score of 19-18.

10U Division

In the 10U division, the Apopka Raptors (1-1), Hammer Down Tar Heels (2-0) and Central Virginia Elite (2-0) won their respective pools.

The Pensacola Colts defeated Apopka 6-2 and F.L.T. Lakeland Fire defeated the Wilmington Titans in the semifinal games. F.L.T. Lakeland Fire toppled the Pensacola Colts in a defensive struggle 6-0 to win the championship.

12U Division

The Apopka Raptors, Wilmington Titans, NYFL Jr. Bengals and Macon United all won their respective pools with a 2-0 record.

In the semifinals, Apopka narrowly defeated Macon United 13-7 and NYFL Jr. Bengals from Las Vegas beat the Wilmington Titans from Delaware 19-13. The NYFL Jr. Bengals caught fire in the championship game and beat the Apopka Raptors 40-14 in the team’s first trip to AAU Nationals.

14U Division

The Raider Youth Sports (2-0), West Volusia Hatters (2-1) and Hammer Down Tar Heels (2-0) won their respective pools in the 14U division.

One semifinal match saw the Conway Falcons defeat the Raider Youth Sports from North Carolina 40-13 while the Hammer Down Tar Heels took down the Hatters 18-6. In the championship game, Hammer Down Tar Heels defeated Conway Falcons from Florida 40-6. This was the first year participating for the Tar Heels.

Congratulations to all teams who participated in this year’s event. We hope to see you all at the 2017 AAU Tackle Football League Based National Championships next year!