Pembroke Titans Football & Cheerleading: Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Please do your research, don't always believe what other programs tell you or post on their website. If you find you are unhappy with another program we will allow you to switch to Pembroke Pop Warner up until the first week in September - you must show a cancelled check from the another program.
1) What's Different Between Pembroke Pop Warner Youth Football And Other Youth Football Programs ?
Pembroke Pop Warner is the Oldest Pembroke Football And Cheerleading Program: We are the Original ‘Pembroke Titans” Founded in 2003. In 2005 a small group splintered off to form their own youth football league (Pembroke OCL youth football). Pop Warner is the largest and oldest youth football and cheerleading organization in the United States. 2009 is Pop Warner's 80th anniversary. www.popwarner.com
There are no 'JV' or 'B' or 'Division 5' or Division '6' Teams in Pop Warner:
In Pop Warner All children are assigned to a Varsity team in the and everyone gets to play on one game day (Sunday) with their assigned
Varsity team. We can field as many Varsity teams as we'd like. Other programs are only allowed to field 3 Varisty programs. In other words your child could be placed on a "lower prioritized" team (JV, B etc) that plays on Saturday with usually a shortened
game (running clock), sometimes a shortened season, a skeleton referee crew and possibly non-varsity coaches.
At Pembroke Pop Warner each child has equal opportunity to learn under our best coaches, play with their friends, and compete equally
against athletes from other towns. Having at least 5 Varsity divisions of play (based on age and weight) allows us the flexibility to properly
assign your child to a Varsity team where they can be safe and successful. During high enrollment we can field multiple Varsity Teams at
each level also ! ( Last year Pembroke Pop Warner fielded 2 Mitey Mite Varsity teams - Duxbury Pop Warner fielded 3 ! )
Pop Warner Age Max Weight Other Programs Age Max Weight
Midget <=15 yrs 160 lbs Midget <15yrs 160 lbs
Junior Midget <=13 yrs 135 lbs Not Available
PeeWee <=12 yrs 120 lbs PeeWee <13yrs 130 lbs
Junior PeeWee <=11 yrs 105 lbs Not Available
Mighty Mite <=9 yrs 90 lbs Mites <11yrs 105 lbs
In other football programs there are NO minimum weight requirements a 40 lb 7yr old must compete against a 105 lb 9 or 10 yr old - An 80 pound child thirteen year old must compete against a 160 lb 13 or 14 yr old. See our weight chart for Minimum Weights.
In Pop Warner if your child is very small (must be 35+ pounds less than the maximum weight in a division) and very young, they can request to play down a division (if they can still meet the age and weight requirements of that division).
All Players must Play in the game:
All Pop Warner Teams (not just Pembroke) Must adhere to the Same National Pop Warner Mandatory Play Rule as follows:
"MPR Rule 9: Team Size >30 Players = 6 Plays for everyone, >25 Players - 8 Plays for everyone, < 26 Players = 10 Plays for everyone ... kickoffs, kneel downs, extra points and penalties
Do Not Count As Football Plays"
The Mandatory Plays are monitored and certified. Mandatory plays for all children must be completed by the end of the 3rd quarter.
Other Non Pop Warner teams have tried to institute their own mandatory play rules, but if their entire League does not require it, enforcing
it is difficult. Not only that, you could be putting your own players at a severe disadvantage if your opponent can play their starters all game
long and your program cannot.
We do not to turn any Pembroke children away. We do not have waiting lists for Pembroke children. If a child is turned away from a
bordering town program (due to a family situation or the town has no team for the child to participate on, we can apply for a waiver so that
child can play.
Nationwide Insurance:
National Pop Warner provides Pembroke Pop Warner with insurance for all players and cheerleaders – we are required to carry insurance – other programs may not carry insurance.
Strict Guidelines For Coaches, Parents, Volunteers, Players and Cheerleaders:
There is a strict National Pop Warner rulebook and certification process. Three background checks (SORI, CORI, Choicepoint) are done on all coaches and board members. A signed
affidavit attesting to the background checks is required by National Pop Warner. Some programs do not mandate background checks.
Team Creation Flexibility:
Five Varsity Divisions of play allows parents and coaches more flexibility to place children with their peers, classmates or with players of
similar ability (see above).
The minimum team size is 16. Pembroke Pop Warner can field as many Varsity teams as it wishes. This makes it easier to give all the children playing time.
Mitey Mites is Instructional (mainly for 7 and 8 year olds):
The Mitey Mite head coach is allowed on the field for the first 2 games. Mites records and scores are not required by the league.
Parity:
Every 3 years the Hockomock League totals the win/loss records of all the participating teams and adjusts the conferences according to
win/loss records and geographic area (any team can win on any given Sunday).
Two Playoff Brackets:
There are two playoff brackets, National and Hockomock. National invitees have their Super Bowl at Disney World. Hockomock invitees
have their Super Bowl in New England (usually Massachusetts). Teams must earn a .500 record or better to qualify for post season play.
2) Where And When Do The Children Practice ?
Football practice starts August 1st. The practice fields are located at Pembroke High School. In August football practice is 3-4 days per week.
After Labor Day (during school) football practice is 2-3 days per week.
Cheerleaders practice across the street at the Hobomock Elementary School. Cheerleaders practice in August. Competition squads continue to practice during September and October (indoors). Practices usually run from 5:30 until 7:15 pm.
3) When And Where Are The Games ?
Home Games are at the Pembroke High School Turf Field On Sundays. During the season there are 4 Home Games and 4 Away Games.
Sunday game times are as follows:
Midgets 10:30 am Jr Midgets 12:00 noon
PeeWees 1:30 pm Jr Peewees 3:00 pm
Mites usually play on Sundays at 9:00 am (Game times are subject to change).
4) What League Does Pembroke Pop Warner Belong To ?
Pembroke is a member of the Hockomock Pop Warner League
Pembroke and Hockomock are members of the National Pop Warner League.
Safety, Participation, Sportsmanship, Success and Scholastics. Pop Warner children are asked to maintain a 70 grade point average
throughout the school year or a waiver is required. Pop Warner $250 and $500 dollars scholarships are available to children who excel at school (GPA), show stellar sportsmanship and community service.
6) What Does The Registration Fee Cover ?
Everything - Except a player’s cleats and a cheerleader’s sneakers.
7) How Can I Get More Detailed Information About National Pop Warner ?
Visit them at www.popwarner.com they've been around for over 80 years.
AgesAndWeights (Weight limits apply to football players only)
