Tigers hopeful for repeat performance
The team may not be the same, but the coach of the Wareham Tigers B-squad hopes they see similar success to that of the previous B-squad.
Last year, the B-squad won the Pop Warner New England Championships against East Bay, RI and went on to be the first ever Tigers team to play in the National Championships.
Though the team lost both of its games (played at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, FL) and most of its players, Head Coach Chris Perry still thinks this year’s team, made up mostly of players from last year’s C-squad, has a chance at contending for the New England Championships again, at the very least.
“Expectations are definitely high,” said Perry from group's first practice of the new season on Monday evening, where the entire organization made up of B, C, D, and E-squads (which include players ages 7-15, with the B-squad being the oldest group) were in attendance.
Perry, who coached last year’s B-team and who has coached in the system for eight years, said the Tigers only have three returning players from last year. Still, that C-team had a good year as well last year, going 10-1, losing its only game to West Haven, CT in the New England Championship finals.
“We’re hoping to win our Super Bowl and make it to Florida,” said Perry of the new look B-squad, who play in the Hockomock League. “They were a good C-team, so coming up to B, they should be good, too.”
Perry said the team was the first in nearly 20 years to bring a New England Championship back to Wareham, and only the second ever.
Though the season is about a month off, Tigers of all ages were seen practicing at Palmer Field as well as the Old Boys and Girls Club Field off Viking Drive Monday. The team's cheerleaders practiced for the first time Monday, as well.
The Wareham Tigers play all their home games at Spillane Field on Sundays, and though no official schedules have been announced, Perry said the season should officially start in early September.
“Sunday is Tigers Day—it’s an all day affair,” he said.