A special football program takes off

History was made in East Brunswick recently with the first annual Pop Warner Challenger Bowl.

PHOTOS BY SCOTT FRIEDMAN Nicholas DeCastro of the St. Bart's Buffalos tries to elude Raekwon Wilkes of the Howell Lions during the first-ever Challenger Bowl, held Sept. 28 at Heavenly Farms in East Brunswick. Teams of special needs players and cheerleaders from East Brunswick, Howell, Toms River and the Colonia section of Woodbridge all braved the stormy skies and took the field at Heavenly Farms Sept. 28.

The event has been a long time coming, beginning when the St. Bart's Buffalos added a special needs cheerleading squad four years ago. Since then, St. Bart's and at least the three other Pop Warner teams have started Challenger flag football teams.

"I've been trying to get a Challenger football team going for years," said Mary McArdle, Challenger coordinator for the St. Bart's Buffalos and for the Jersey Shore Pop Warner Football League. "We have had the cheerleaders [at St. Bart's] for four years, but parents have been hesitant about the football."

Abigail Cregge performs a cheer for the St. Bart's Buffalos during the first-ever Challenger Bowl, held Sept. 28 at Heavenly Farms, East Brunswick. None of those doubts were showing on Sept. 28 for what was dubbed the first annual Challenger Bowl. The sidelines were filled with enthusiastic parents who cheered every play, even those of the opposing team. On the field, players of varying ages battled it out, with help from buddies who were there to assist.

"Challenger teams are about inclusion," McArdle said.

They are also about modification, so instead of regulation football, the game is flag football and the rules are relaxed.

"The point is to make sure each player gets to hold the ball and participate in the game. Football and cheerleading are the greatest sports in the world, and there has to be a home for every child in these sports," she added.

Coaches, who are usually parents or teachers involved in special education, receive extra training to help them address the needs of their players.

"I don't think there is any disability that would disqualify a child from playing this game," said Tom Cregge, coach of the St. Bart's team. He points to his 9-year-old son Nicky as an example. "He doesn't walk, he doesn't talk. He's in a miniwheelchair. We tie the flags onto the back. If he has the ball, someone runs the chair down the field and if a player grabs the tie he's out. But he's smiling and having a great time."

This is Cregge's first time coaching Challenger football, but he has been the director of the East Brunswick Buddy Ball baseball team for the past eight years. During signups, he found he already knew most of his players. His son Brad, 16, who goes to East Brunswick High School, is also on team.

"Football is especially good for kids who have trouble standing still. In baseball, they have to wait their turn. In football, they are out in the field all the time," Cregge said.

The St. Bart's Challenger team currently has seven players, but Cregge is hoping to have more next year. He is confident that once parents come out to a game or bring their kids to one, they will want to join.

That's what's happened with the St. Bart's Challenger cheerleaders. The more people see them in action, the more members they get.

"We are really growing," said Coach Dennis Van Orden, who took his team to a competition in Disney World last year.

"We have more cheerleaders and more buddy volunteers. The girls are doing great," he said.

Sue Buettel, coach of the Colonia Patriots' team, has been involved in Challenger cheerleading for the past four years.

"It's a lot of hours, but it's really worth it. Their love is unconditional, and I have seen the girls really grow. One did so well she went on to join the mainstream team," Buettel said.

Sarah Scofield, 9, is very affectionate and quick to give a stranger a hug. She continually leaves her mother's side to wander about.

"She has a lot of trouble paying attention," said her mother, Ellen, as a friend brings her daughter back to her side during the Challenger Bowl. "But over the years, she's started to participate in the cheers. It's a big accomplishment."

"Lenina loves getting to know the other girls," Robin Grayer of Toms River said of her 7-year-old daughter. "We get together outside of cheerleading. I've had the girls and their parents over for her birthday."

Jessica Krill of Beachwood said her daughters Kelly, 10, and Katy, 7, are "girly" and love cheerleading.

"They can't be in competitive sports, but they can be in team sports. It improves their confidence and self-esteem," Krill said.

Lori Clayton of Toms River has two daughters on the team, Amy, 12 and Megan, 10.

"They want to do whatever things they see other kids doing, and they don't understand why they can't," Clayton said.

She is glad to have her daughters on the team.

"They had a lot of fun, and it gives them a sense of belonging," she said.

Tammy Meyh, coach of the Toms River team and a special education teacher in Toms River, said it was difficult getting the cheer team started, but worth it.

"I saw an exhibition cheer team last year and decided I wanted to start that here. Parents are thrilled with the group," she said.

Jim Smith is the Bowl coordinator for the Eastern Region of the Pop Warner league. His eyes welled up when he recalled the first time he saw one of the Challenger cheerleading teams.

"They went out on the field, one was running against the wall and the other was pounding the ground, but when the music came on they pulled it together and performed. Everyone was touched," Smith said. "This is something that is just going to snowball.

"We think we are teaching them, but they're the ones teaching us. They teach us about patience and they teach us about love. A very special kind of love."