The Mites don’t know the meaning of the word “quit.”

After being down for most of its division title game on Sunday, the Wareham Tigers youth football team battled back, earning a 22-16 win in the last minute of play.

“That’s how you play football!” Head Coach Walter Crumbley told his team of 7 to 9 year olds after the win. “Today you took a big step forward as a group. It’s easy to get down when you’re down.”

The team defeated Abington for the No. 1 spot in the Old Colony league rankings. Now, the team’s record is 4-1 with playoffs coming in the next couple weeks.

Sunday’s game came down to one play with 1:01 on the clock in the fourth quarter.

Mailkhi Tavares stopped the Abington quarterback, allowing Domanic Lorizio to strip the ball into the waiting hands of Cisco Monterio.

Monterio then ran it back 65 yards for a touchdown. After, Wareham went for and earned a 2-point conversion.

“We thought they were going to do a run play and then I saw Mailkhi block and I ran in there,” said Domanic of the play. 

Cisco was there for the grab.

“Dom ripped it out of his hands and I started to run,” recalled Cisco. “I heard some guys behind me, but I didn’t stop.”

Assistant Coach John Vandeusen credited his team for not giving up.

“Usually, kids at this age when they get down, they put there heads down,” he said. “But that didn’t happen today. They came together as a team and got the win.”

Crumbley said this group of Mites has been nearly unstoppable this season. It’s the best season he’s seen at this age group since he started coaching four years ago.

Next, the team will face Apponequet on Sunday, Oct. 14, at Apponequet Regional High School in Lakeville. Kickoff is at 11:30 a.m.