Apopka Blue Darters Fall to St. Pete Silver Raiders in Pop Warner Super Bowl Semifinals

Filed in: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Pop Warner Super Bowl, Youth Sports

The Apopka Blue Darters’ Pop Warner Super Bowl run ended on Tuesday when the team was narrowly defeated, 28-20, by the St. Pete Silver Raiders.

Entered in the unlimited division, the Apopka squad,was among a field of 64 top youth football teams battling for a national championship.

Additionally, the St. Petersburg Silver Raiders program, whose Jr. Midget team won the Pop Warner Super Bowl last year, is just one game away from winning another national title for its organization.

The Silver Raiders will next face the Gilbert-Chandler Hitmen (Ariz.) in the Unlimited Division national championship.

National champions will be crowned in five divisions based on age and weight – Jr. Pee Wee (ages 8–11), Pee Wee (ages 9– 12), Jr. Varsity (ages 10–13), Varsity (ages 12–15) and Unlimited (11-14, 105-lb. minimum).

More than 70 percent of active NFL players got their starts competing on Pop Warner teams across the country, including Super Bowl MVP Peyton Manning (Denver Broncos) and eight-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals).

In the quarterfinals, the Apopka Blue Darters beat the Lees Summit Broncos 28-13 and the St. Pete Silver Raiders defeated the New Haven Steelers 34-6.

For scores and info during the 2016 Pop Warner Super Bowl, visit http://www.popwarnersb.com. You can also follow the Pop Warner Super Bowl on Twitter @Pop_Warner, @ESPNWWOS, and on www.facebook.com/espnwwos. For more information on Disney Sports, visit www.disneysportsnews.com

ESPN3 is offering live video streaming of all Pop Warner Super Bowl Games on Field 17 throughout the week on WatchESPN.com and the WatchESPN application. 

Video highlights will be available for download at box.com using 

  • Username: webupdate@popwarner.com
  •  Password: popwarner2016

For photos and team updates: amedeiros@ctpboston.com or bheffron@ctpboston.com.