The Suffolk Steelers have dominated the midget (ages 13-15) age group in the Southeastern Virginia Pop Warner Conference for the past four years.

Each season since 2007, the Steelers have won the Div. 1 or 2 title in the conference. This season, with a 7-1 record, the Steelers took the Division 1 crown. The Steelers play in the semifinals of the Mid-South Regional playoffs today in Raleigh, N.C.

The region tournament has been the roadblock for the Steelers in past seasons. Two victories, today and next Saturday, would send the Steelers to Orlando and the Pop Warner National Championships.

It’s a longer road trip to North Carolina, and hopefully to Florida, but the Steelers are already total road warriors this season.

“We’ve had a rough time with practicing this season because there are no lights at John F. Kennedy (Middle School),” said Steeler head coach Kevin Shepherd.

“It’s been a big burden to the whole league. We haven’t had a home game in two years because the city hasn’t fixed the lights,” Shepherd said.

Even games early in the season or day games are played on fields with lights in case the schedule runs longer than planned, so John F. Kennedy, the home of the Steelers for decades, hasn’t been able to host Pop Warner games.

Regardless of where the Steelers practice or play, they’ve taken care of business to get to the regional playoffs and today’s game against the Greensboro Giants.

“We have real good balance between defense and offense. Our defense usually gives the offense very good field position and our offense has had very few turnovers, which is a big plus anytime you have a team like that,” Shepherd said.

The Steelers are averaging 32 points a game and most of the seven wins have been lopsided.

“Tackling and having all 11 players get to the ball, our defense has tremendous pursuit,” said Shepherd on what keys the Steelers on the defensive side.

Greensboro’s undefeated on the season. Other than that though, Shepherd says they know nothing of their opponent.

“We’re really going to have to make some quick adjustments. By not being able to scout them, we have no idea what to expect, but we know we can make adjustments on both sides of the ball once we get going,” Shepherd said.

Sadly, the Steelers have added emotion behind their efforts this season.

Lakeland students and football players Michael Lee and Tyquan Lewis were Suffolk Steeler standouts only a few years ago. Lee was shot and killed in January. Lewis was shot and killed in August.

The Steelers still play for the memory of coach Steve “Biggie” Myrick who passed away from a sudden illness in 2007 at age 34 and Dwayne Langston, a former player and Lakeland student who was killed in 2005 at age 17.

The Steelers, especially if they continue on through the postseason with trips to Charlotte and Orlando, are seeking donations for travel, hotel and food expenses for the football and cheerleading teams. Anyone interested in making a donation can call the association’s president, Fred Greene, at 237-1494 or Shepherd at 419-0186.