Bristol War Dogs Fight for National Invitation and Sponsors

There was a beautiful, autumn chill in the air on Saturday as the Bristol War Dogs AA football team geared up for their second to last game of the regular season.

The team, overcome with amazing victories this season and an undefeated record has nothing standing in their way – their chances of receiving an invitation to play in the U.Y.F.L Superbowl Game in Plant City, Florida are amazing, definite even.

The boys though, have remained incredibly focused, not a single one of them has a confident disposition. Each of them fighting to step up their game even further and keep winning for their town. Determined not to let anyone down.

Bristol in the midst of the Lower Bucks County region faces many trials. Unemployment, drug abuse, crime and violence have plagued the area for much of recent history and not all of the war dogs have a pleasant story to tell.

Although poor economic stability and a less than perfect home life impacts the lives of most team members, it hasn’t effected them in the least to outperform every team in the area in football.

The team is run by an amazing staff of parents and coaches who have made it their mission to be more than just that. They spend extra time cooking dinner for the boys after practice, they transport them to and from drills and games, they even have taken on the job of washing the team uniforms. They are raising more than just football players they say, they are raising men.

“Most of these boys, they play together, they live in the same neighborhood, so they instantly have a brotherhood,” said War Dogs Treasurer, Dionna Poulson. “We make such an effort in making education first though, we know we aren’t just building athletes.”

Virgil Mobley, the War Dogs Head Coach makes it his mission to teach more than just football to his group of players.

“I’m less of a coach and more of a father figure,” he said. “We all know as a group we are these kids first role models. But they know that all of us are from this same area and if they work hard that they can accomplish anything.”

While the talent may be there and the invitation may come, it still isn’t certain the Bristol War Dogs will be seen gracing Otis M. Andrews Sports Complex on December 7. The very financial struggle that has proved the team motivated, driven and successful may crush all their hopes and dreams in the process.

While harsh, the bottom line is just that. Without enough money and support, the Bristol War Dogs will turn down their offer. An offer that is truly the offer of a lifetime.

“When you get kids from a poorer community, parents do the best they can, lots of them are just doing what they can to make ends meet,” said Mobley. “The kids deal with a lot being from this area, for most of them it may be their first chance at ever leaving Bristol.”

“We know that is the reality- that without enough money they may not go,” he continued. “But we pray that doesn’t happen, after all these are the kids from our own community, we have to do whatever we can to get them there.”

The team though seems optimistic that their dreams can’t possibly be crushed.

“It’s a once in a lifetime chance,” said War Dogs player Enzo Poulson. “But if we just fund raise a little I know we will get there.”

The team will receive their official invitation following a win in their away game against Oxford Circle on Saturday November 2. Until then, fund raising for nationals is their main effort.

While the team’s goal is to collect around $15,000 (which will provide food, transportation and lodging during the course of nationals from December 7 to 14), the War Dogs staff know the boys will require more simpler things to get them there. Things like extra shirts, deodorant and luggage will be basic necessities for a group of young men who have never left the comforts of their town.

TO DONATE TO THE BRISTOL WAR DOGS AA:

• The public is invited to the Bristol War Dogs Halloween Costume Dance on November 2 from 6-11 p.m. at the Bristol Township Senior Center. All proceeds benefit the Bristol War Dogs AA.
• You may sponsor a lane at their upcoming ‘Bowling Night’ on November 16. Cost of a lane is $100. For more information, email Treasurer Dionna Poulson at dionnapoulson@gmail.com.
• You may mail a check or items to the following address: Wardog Athletic Association, 2501 Bath Road, Bristol, PA 19007.
• To donate directly online, please click here, or here.