Manassas Mutiny need funds to cover playoff expenses

By Amanda Stewart

Published: December 3, 2008

Members of the Manassas Mutiny are hoping to defend their title at the American Youth Football League National Championships in Orlando, Fla., next week.

But they need a little help getting there.

"We need a miracle, honestly," Coach Carroll Walker said Wednesday.

The team, made up of 24 boys ages 10 to 12 from Manassas, Manassas Park and western Prince William County, is still trying to raise the money they need to go to the championships.

The team won the national title at the championships last year and it's been undefeated for the past two years.

"These kids need to go down there and defend their title, and we need people in the community to step up and help us do that," Walker said.

Walker estimates that the team still needs to raise between $8,000 and $10,000 to rent a bus to take the team to Florida and another estimated $4,500 to help pay for lodgings.

And they need it soon.

The team has to report by Saturday for the

championships, which will run from Saturday through Dec. 13.

The team has already received some donations from the community, but they will need more in order to go to Orlando.

"We need as much help as we can get," Walker said. "The economy is so bad right now that we're struggling to get the donations we need."

To donate, contact coach Carroll at 571-991-9056 or send donations to Manassas Mutiny Football, 13467 Coles Mire Gateway, Bristow, VA 20136.

Staff writer Amanda Stewart can be reached at 703-878-8014.