East County’s Delta Patriots had never appeared in the National Youth Football Championship prior to this year’s Thanksgiving Weekend tournament. But the local players not only made their debut this year – they won the whole thing.

The squad that won the NYFC tournament comprised all 19 members of the Patriots Varsity North squad plus three players each from the Varsity East and West squads.

The opening game, which took place on Thanksgiving Day, pitted the Patriots against the hometown Las Vegas Falcons. After the Falcons scored on the opening play of the game, Delta responded by dominating most of the game, winning 28-12. The loss was the Vegas squad’s first of the season.

Two days later, the Patriots took on the undefeated and high-scoring (33 points per game) Santa Barbara Chargers in the tournament finals. The game followed a similar script to the opener, as the Chargers jumped out to an early lead. And Delta made sure the script was followed to the letter – final score: Patriots 29, Santa Barbara 12.

The Patriots were invited to the tournament that takes 100 teams from around the nation, matching up squads according to talent. Delta was a part of the American Division. The Patriot North Squad finished the regular season with a 5-4 record.

In the regional playoffs, the Patriots North squad avenged regular-season losses to the East and West squads and made the Super Bowl against Stockton’s Weston Ranch Ravens. After falling behind 12-0, the Patriots stormed back to take a 22-21 lead in the final quarter, but fell victim to a few big plays in the final 1:40 of the game and lost 27-22.

Delta’s North team was led by head coach Eric Shaw and assistants Bryan Lucay, Roger Kruse, Soli Letuligasenoa, Wayland Edwards, Jack Ray, Fatu Aumua and Dean Vernarecci. Throughout the tournament, as well as the season, they were led on the field by strong play from quarterback Roger Kruse, receiver Simba Short and defensive back Trejon Edwards.

Players from the championship team hail from Brentwood, Oakley, Antioch and Discovery Bay. The roster comprises mostly 13- and 14-year-olds plus one 12-year old. The 14-year-olds will no longer be eligible after this season. The younger players will have a choice of playing with the Patriots or playing freshman football in high school next season.