Local roundup: Santa Cruz Seahawks advance to Pop Warner Super Bowl in Florida

Santa Cruz's Alex Morris threw a 70-yard touchdown pass to Tanner Riggs in the second quarter, but the Seahawks trailed 16-14 at the half.

Morris recovered an onside kick to open the second half and the Seahawks got a touchdown on the drive from Jordan Oliva-Rodriguez.

In the final minutes of the game, a fumble recovery by the Tigers gave them a game winning opportunity. Morris intercepted a pass to secure the win.

Junior midget teams consist of players 10 to 12 who weigh between 85 and 135 pounds and 13-year-olds who weight between 85 and 115 pounds.

The national championships take place Dec. 5-12.

The Seahawks, making their first appearance at the Super Bowl, play in the first round on Dec. 8 at 1 p.m. at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex. The D-II junior midget championship and consolation games are at 1 p.m. on Dec. 11.

The 25-member Seahawks now have the dubious task of trying to raise $48,000 to fund their trip to Florida.

A fundraiser will be held at Clouds Downtown on Wednesday. The restaurant is giving the team 20 percent of its earnings that day when customers mention the Santa Cruz Pop Warner team from noon to midnight.

For other fundraiser

opportunities or for donation information, call 429-4066 or visit www.santacruzpopwarner.org

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Running back Aaron Williams, an Aptos High alum, rushed for 42 yards on 19 carries, as fifth-ranked Linfield forced seven turnovers and routed No. 7 Mary Hardin-Baylor 53-21 in the NCAA Division III playoffs at Maxwell Field in Oregon.

Linfield 11-0 advances to D-III quarterfinals, where it faces St. Thomas 10-1 next weekend.

GOLF

Seascape Golf Club's current club champion Travis Stephens aced the 128-yard, par-3, 12th hole on Wednesday. He used a 9-iron. Stephens has four aces the past two years at Seascape.

Soquel's Nathan Smith competes in the final stage of PGA Tour Q-School beginning Wednesday.

The six-round, 108-hole event -- being held at Bear Lakes Country Club in West Palm Beach, Fla. -- runs through Dec. 7.

Several PGA Tour notables will be in the field, including Bubba Dickerson, David Duval, J.P. Hayes, Tim Herron and Jesper Parnevik.

NFL

New York Jets cornerback Dwight Lowery will not play against the Carolina Panthers today because of a foot injury.

Lowery has a high ankle sprain, suffered last Sunday in the loss at New England. He will likely be replaced in the starting lineup by Lito Sheppard. Justin Miller, inactive the last two games, will also likely take over on kickoff returns.

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