The Pop Warner Wareham Tigers football B-squad returned from the Sunshine State on Friday, Dec. 13. Sunshine was nowhere to be found the following day, but there was still plenty of warmth as the community welcomed the Tigers home at a snowy Christmas Parade.

The Tigers had just returned from the National Championships at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex. The 2013 team is the first Tigers squad to play in the championships.

On Saturday, the Tigers stood atop a truck and driven down Main Street near the front of the parade.

“It feels good. We had a warm reception from the town, and it just feels good to be home,” coach Chris Perry said.

“It was nice to see a lot of people supporting the Tigers. It was incredible to hear the people yelling and screaming for us.”

The Tigers lost both of their games in Florida. But, Perry was able to keep things in perspective.

“It was an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a town our size, and we’re a small town compared to North Raleigh or Gilroy, California,” Perry said, referring to the teams that bested the Tigers in California. “So it’s something they can take with them: the kids, the coaching staff, their parents. It was the best season the Tigers ever had.”

Heading up I-95, Perry said everyone was ready to get home and be comfortable there with their families.

“We just wanted to wind down and settle back in,” Perry said. “We had a long week down there. Really a couple of long weeks with the playoffs and the fundraising. It has been an emotional roller coaster, but it’s definitely good to be home.”

In the four days before leaving for Florida, the Tigers raised $50,000 to make the trip possible.

“Hopefully, this success will get more kids interested in the Tigers, not just the football team, but the cheerleading team, too,” Perry said.