Can you smell it? Ahh, victory
Millstone Mighty Mites celebrate first-ever undefeated season

The Millstone Mighty Mite team celebrates winning the Pumpkin Bowl game against Franklin Township on Oct. 29.

They came. They saw. They conquered.The Millstone Mighty Mites, a Pop Warner football team consisting of 32 Millstone youths ages 7, 8 and 9, finished its season undefeated with a 10-0 record.

Mike Turner, who has coached the Mighty Mites - which includes his son, Zach, 8 - for the past three years, said this is the first Millstone team to have an undefeated season since Pop Warner took hold in the township three years ago.

"Every parent should look at their child a little differently now because whether they were a superstar or not, they accomplished something only 32 kids in Millstone can say they've accomplished, and that's surviving an intense, vigorous and fulfilling football season at the Mighty Mite level," Turner said.

Turner said the Mighty Mites had an outstanding season, giving up only three touchdowns and 11 first downs. He attributes the team's overall success to working with a "family concept" he established early on in the season.

Coach Mark Henry brings Anthony Morrone, Zach Turner, Michael Goldsman and Dominic Borelli, the Millstone Mighty Mite team captains, onto the field during the Pumpkin Bowl game on Oct. 29.

"No one was singled out or said to be the best," Turner said. "If someone scored a touchdown, we recognized that it was because 10 other guys blocked for them."

Louise San Nicola, whose son, Nick, 8, played on the team, recognized that Turner's family concept took the Mighty Mites to the next level this year.

"There were no individual stars on the team - there was a team that all worked together cohesively to create a force that could not be stopped," she said.

San Nicola said she saw that the boys and one girl on the team were completely consumed with every word Turner said throughout the season.

"Mike is the greatest coach I have ever met," San Nicola said. "He trained each and every player to be the most they could be, for themselves, for their pride and to build their character."

Coach Mike Turner readies the Millstone Mighty Mite team to take on West Windsor in a championship game.

Turner said he talked to and treated the team members the same way he interacts with his own children.

"I always tried to be honest with them," Turner said. "If they were wrong about something, I didn't sugar-coat it. If they needed a boot in the butt, I gave it to them. I didn't treat them like babies, but I also gave them the respect they deserved."

He continued, "I was always positive, and most importantly they knew I really cared and believed in them, not just on the football field, but in life."

Turner said he is proud to note every one of the children "far exceeded my expectations of them".

San Nicola said Turner taught the kids commitment, integrity, self-pride and camaraderie.

"He is not just a coach, he is a great cheerleader, cheering for his kids as they work harder than they thought they could, and achieving more than they or their parents ever thought they could," San Nicola said.

Turner said all of the team members put forth hard work and dedication.

For its last game of the season, the Mighty Mites went up against Franklin Township, which had a record of 9-0-1, on Oct. 29. Turner noted that the seasoned Franklin team was no match for the Mighty Mites, which won the game 28-6.

Although beating a team that has been in the Pop Warner organization for 50 years gave the Mighty Mites its undefeated season, Turner said the team was most proud of its first win of the season.

The first game was against Allentown, which Turner said "is a rival of ours."

"We beat them up 28-6 and we were the only loss Allentown gave up all year," Turner said. "The win was a springboard to a fantastic season. It meant a lot."

Turner said there are three components to a successful football program: parents, players, and coaches.

Regarding the parents, he said, "I think by far we had the most cooperative parents in Central Jersey Pop Warner. I know there were tremendous sacrifices made by all parents throughout the season, and it didn't go unnoticed."

Regarding the players, Turner said, "What can you say about 7-, 8- and 9-year-olds that consistently showed up for practice every day and dealt with the rigorous schedule and conditioning program that we put forth."

Turner also credited the coaches and team moms for the success of the program.

"The staff that we had this year was very giving, very smart, and very dedicated to the program," he said. "I think everybody was able to see the love that was given to these players by this staff."

For a landmark season, Turner commended the efforts of offensive coordinator Mark Henry, defensive coordinator Al Morrone, assistant offensive coordinator Michael Dacey, assistant defensive coordinator Richard Mullarky, line coaches Jim MacFee and John Millet, and assistant line coaches Jeff Brewer and Mike Mulcahy. He also thanked team moms Bev Hetrick and Tracy Klehr for all they did to support the team.

Turner said he believes Pop Warner is important for the community because the lessons learned in sports have a direct correlation with how people should live their lives.

San Nicola reiterated what Turner said and added, "The greatest life lesson was learned - that no matter what you want to do, there will always be obstacles. The choice is yours to make: either you let the obstacles get in your way or you overcome them."

San Nicola said the team overcame every obstacle in its way and proved victorious.

"They were inspired by each other and made many new friends along the way," she said.

Next year, Turner, four of the other Mighty Mite coaches and 24 Mighty Mites will move up to Junior Pee Wee level of Pop Warner.

"There will be new challenges in the larger division and better competition," Turner said.

The new season will start Aug. 1.

- Jennifer Kohlhepp