D.C. team wins Pop Warner title

The Beacon House Falcons from the District's Edgewood Terrace neighborhood in Northeast on Saturday won the 75-pounds Jr. Pee Wee Division I National Championship for Pop Warner football during a game in Orlando.

The 8- to 11-years old from the Falcons triumphed 19-0 over the Liberty City (Fla.) Warriors, a team that was last year's division champion. Beacon House is a non-profit after-school tutoring, mentoring, cultural and recreational center for low-income, at-risk children in Ward 5.

The Rev. Donald Robinson, said the championship win "is about far more than just winning a football game. Beacon House is in the middle of a low-to-moderate income community and many of our children come from rather humble circumstances. Beacon House is about lifting our children and families out of poverty, and our football program is one piece of a larger puzzle."

The victory, said athletic director Rodney Cephas, "is a testament to the hard work, discipline and courage of all 33 of our children, as well our 12 volunteer coaches." The team was due home Sunday.

The Falcons have had bragging rights before, including their 2007 90-pounds Peewee team championship.

To see the Falcons beat Liberty City, catch the video at ESPN3.