Pop Warner: Over half of disqualified East Lynn football team missing paperwork

According to the Pop Warner National Circuit, the East Lynn football team that recently had nationals dreams dashed is missing over 50 percent of the necessary paperwork.

Pop Warner East Lynn president Duke Wilson previously told Boston 25 the Regional Board identified two players as missing up-to-date physicals.

According to the National Pop Warner Circuit, while the league certified the East Lynn 14 and under roster in October, the regional board only became aware of the incomplete paperwork after the team’s win over Everett on Saturday. Pop Warner also says that they allowed East Lynn more time to submit the proper paperwork, despite protocol calling for an immediate disqualification. As of the extended deadline, Pop Warner says more than half of East Lynn’s roster still showed incomplete or missing forms.

“While we share in this disappointment, it is a well-established requirement for teams to have the necessary and completed documentation in order to compete at nationals,” Pop Warner stated. “This includes updated physical, completed medical and emergency forms and parent/ guardian approval, all of which are imperative for the safety of our participants and protection of their programs.”

East Lynn Pop Warner has responded to the national circuit’s claim, stating it is false.

“ELPW reviewed the 14U book with the E-Mass President and he confirmed only 2 updated physicals had not been inserted into the book in place of the 2021 physicals. ELPW produced the 2 documents the next day.”

Wilson said that even after scrambling to produce the paperwork for his team, he was told it was too late.

“It doesn’t make no sense. I’ve done this. I’ve sat on the board. I’ve certified people,” Wilson told Boston 25′s Drew Karedes on Tuesday night.

Players and parents told Boston 25 News that they are having a hard time comprehending the decision.

“They made us jump through hoops for the last two days,” said team mom Etoya Vaughn. “It’s not fair, and it’s not right.”

Families who went from celebrating to feeling defeated said they don’t feel the disqualification is fair or justified.

“The one time we get here and we win when it matters, it gets stripped away from us,” said player Aavain Pena. “They’re going to do this to us really?”

The scholastic coordinator for the Pop Warner Football Conference of Eastern Mass told Boston 25 News on Tuesday afternoon that this has been under investigation since Sunday and isn’t completed.

Lynn’s mayor and City Council released the following statement to Boston 25 News on Tuesday regarding the situation:

“On behalf of the entire City, we stand behind the East Lynn Pop Warner 14U team, their coaches and their parents. We know how much this sport and the opportunity to represent the City of Lynn on a National Stage means to each player. We are so proud of all they have accomplished and achieved to get to this point. We hope that Eastern Mass Pop Warner and the New England Regional Pop Warner League representatives will do the right thing and allow these young players to proceed to play in Florida as they have earned.”

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