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Home News Tribune Online 08/28/06

FRANKLIN — When the Pop Warner football teams from Franklin and Piscataway took the field yesterday, they boasted some star-studded lineups for the rivalry between two of the most well-established programs in the area.

Franklin Pop Warner is home to three second-team National Pop Warner Little Scholars. Little Scholars are recognized based on academics as well as community service and character. Yards-per-carry isn't even a factor for these young athletes who are in the top 1 percent of Pop Warner participants.

Franklin's three Little Scholars are Christopher Blades, 11, on the Pee Wee team; Taylor Black on the Midget squad; and Monique Robinson, a cheerleader for the Junior Midgets.

Blades, 11, received the recognition — which includes an invite to Disney World for awards and banquets — for his off-the-field activities.

Blades, a student at Samson G. Smith Middle School, is an alto saxophone player and a member of a jazz band. He also helped with food drives for Hurricane Katrina victims.

Little Scholars all have averages of 96 or higher in school to be eligible for the award. His mother, Sylvia Blades said she's proud that the organization — and her son — has its priorities in order.

"That's what it's all about," Sylvia Blades said. "It's all about academics, that's the most important thing. Football is secondary. . . . doing good with that is icing on the cake."

In yesterday's Pee Wee game, Piscataway struck first, but Franklin tied the at7-7 at the half, which is where the game ended as the defenses dominated in teh second half.

Black, 13, who sat out the Midgets game yesterday with an injury, was recognized for his grades, his leadership in the classroom and the volunteering he does through his church.

"Because he's so competitive, he has high expectations for himself," his father, Rick, said. "And I think that's why he excels not only in the classroom by also in sports."

In the midget game, Piscataway struck first and took a 6-0 lead into the half. Franklin tied the game early in the third quarter and had an opportunity to take the lead late in the quarter when Marivn Garrett blocked a punt that was recovered inside the Braves' 10-yard line. Piscataway's defense stopped Franklin but with just under three minutes to play in the game, Franklin's Kyle Morgan went in from a yard out and the Warriors added another score for a 19-6 win.

Robinson, 11, is involved in her church and helps senior citizens in the community. Monique's mother, Maxing Robinson plays a large part in her success in school.

"(The award) means a lot," her mother, Maxine, said. "I make sure she does her homework and stay in tune. She can do cheerleading but she has to keep her grades up."

Maxine Robinson is also the coordinator for Franklin's Little Scholars. She is responsible for checking the report cards to see who is eligible not only for national recognition but for Franklin's individual awards for anyone with an 88 or higher average in school.

According to Robinson, the emphasis when choosing Little Scholars is on humanities and core classes, so excelling at gym class doesn't really help.

In the Junior Pee Wee game, Piscataway held on for a 13-7 victory. In the Junior Midgets, Franklin took on Sayreville and running back Steven Gaines scored three touchdowns, two in the first quarter, as Franklin took a 32-0 win.

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