Bristol Wardogs Chomp Through the Competition

The players on the Bristol Wardogs Unlimited 15 & under football team ended the 2012 league playoffs on the sidelines watching the Rhawnhurst Raiders hoist the championship trophy in triumph.

It's a sight the team carried into spring and summer training, a disturbing vision that has fueled the Wardogs' unstoppable march through the rest of the NESAC Division of the United Youth Football League. Since the season started, the Bristol Wardogs not only remain undefeated, but none of their opponents have made it to the end zone. In other words, the score is Wardogs 201, opponents 0.

"Last year left a lasting impression for the kids," says Head Coach Chris Chapman. "They came into camp remembering the bad taste in their mouths. That has been the driving force for this team."

Chapman anticipated that Sunday's game against Lower Makefield would be the team's toughest challenge to maintain the pristine record, but the Wardogs walked away with a 20-0 victory. Only two games remain until the three-week playoff tournament, and Chapman has no doubt that his team will continue to dominate.

"We're going to stay undefeated for the rest of the season and head to nationals as the league's number one team," said Chapman. "We take every team seriously and prepare very well for each game. Our coaches scout the other teams, collect game films and review them as a team."

The top two teams in the Northeast Suburban Athletic Conference (NESAC) Division will earn an invite to the UYFL's National Championship tournament in Florida, held at the Otis Andrew Sports Complex from Dec. 8 to Dec. 13. Bristol made the trip down last year, entering the tournament as the 13 seed and left as the number 5 seeded team.

Chapman and his assistant coaches, defensive coordinator Darrin McAdams, offensive coordinator Bill Smith and special teams coordinator Bill Kane, concentrated on using the 2013 spring season as training ground to develop a game plan that played into the team's strengths.

"There are no easy practices for these players," said Chapman. "They know they have to work all year-round if they want to succeed, and it shows on the field."

The Wardogs have this year's top spot all but sewn up, but getting invited is one thing. The team still has to get there. As the coaches and players take care of business on the field, the parents are rallying the community to come up with the $18,000 it would take to transport, house and feed at least 20 teenaged football players.

"Last year we made hundreds of ham and cheese sandwiches," said Cathy Beers, who shares team mom duties with Holly Raymond. "We had a conveyor belt of parents putting them together at my house."

The parents have organized several fundraising events to help with their efforts. Donations to the cause can be made via PayPal on the team's website. On Wednesday, Buffalo Wild Wings Bar & Grill in Langhorne will donate 10 percent of purchases when customers mention the team. 

On Friday, Nov. 15, the Wardogs will host a Beef & Beer at the Bristol Elks Lodge, 95 Wood St., in Bristol. For $25, guests can enjoy a full buffet dinner with free beer. There will also be a cash bar, basket auctions and 50/50 raffles to generate more donations.

"We are so grateful to the Bristol Elks," said Beers. "They don't charge us to use their kitchen, they help us set up. They have been incredible."

The Bristol Elks Lodge has been one the team's earliest and most dedicated supporters, making a difference in the players lives almost from day one, says Chapman.

"They got us our first, real team uniforms," said Chapman. "Before they came along, we were dyeing t-shirts blue and yellow."

Chapman started the Bristol Wardogs in 2011 as an independent, unlimited weight class team, working on a shoestring budget to provide kids who had outgrown other local programs a place to play some football. For the spring and fall seasons, he took his roster of eager players throughout Philadelphia and into New York, New Jersey and Delaware, looking to play against any teams that would take the field with them.

"I was tired of seeing these local programs turn kids away because they were too big and putting them back on the streets," said Chapman. "Those first two seasons, we were happy just to play a game every weekend."

Those humble beginnings helped the team build a strong family of players, coaches and parents that operated on philosophies of respect and responsibility on and off the field. It's those values that keep the players from getting into trouble, maintaining good grades in the classroom and coming back for more on the field located next to the Bristol Township Municipal Building.

"A lot of my older players also play for their high schools," said Chapman. "Their coaches tell them they don't have to keep playing for us, but the kids don't want to give it up. They will go to high school practice in the afternoon, then come back at night for the Wardogs."

Team captains Michael Beers and Connor Raymond take their roles very seriously, knowing that the rest of the team looks for them to set the tone at kickoff.

"Everybody has to do their job," said Connor. "All 11 guys on the field, the coaches and the families cheering us on are all part of the team. You will never see that one guy not doing his job on this team."

The bulk of the team leadership has been playing under Coach Chapman from the beginning, forming close relationships that gives the Wardogs that extra advantage over the competition. 

"They have been playing together for four years," said Chapman. "They know each other inside out. A shorthand has developed, where they have little sayings that nobody else can figure out."

The Bristol Wardogs host the East Kensington Chiefs on Sunday, Oct. 27 for a noontime game. After the Nov. 3 game against the Moss Eagles, the NESAC championship tournament begins with the quarterfinals on Nov. 9-10, Semifinals Nov. 16-17 and the championships Nov. 23-24. Follow the Bristol Wardogs Unlimited on Facebook for more information.