By JOHN CEBALLOS

jceballos@tampatrib.com

GIBSONTON - While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were on the road for a crucial Monday Night Football game in early December, a group of young Bucs were relishing the experience of taking the field at Raymond James Stadium the day before.

After winning the West Coast Youth Football Conference Super Bowl on Nov. 22, the East Bay Buccaneers Midget Football team played a game against the New Tampa Wildcats at Raymond James on Dec. 7.

The event was part of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission's Game Day of Champions. Established in 1994, the program invites eight youth Football teams and their cheerleading squads to play on a professional Football field every year.

"I think it's going to be a real thrill for the players to play on such a big field, and even for the cheerleaders, who get to cheer on the sideline of an NFL stadium," Tracy Howard said in anticipation of the game. Her son, Ryan Dixon, 11, plays on the defensive line for the East Bay Bucs.

The team also got a chance to pose for pictures in front of the stadium's pirate ship and tour the Buccaneers' locker room.

The Buccaneers defeated the Wildcats 38-0.

"It was great for the younger kids because a lot of second-string players had the chance to play," Howard said.

The East Bay Buccaneers Youth Football and Cheerleading League is a nonprofit organization that sponsors youth cheerleading and full-contact Football teams for children ages 6-15.

The West Coast Youth Football Conference includes teams from South Shore, Brandon, Lakeland, Plant City, Temple Terrace and Wesley Chapel.

The Midget team, which features players ages 10-11, completed a 10-0 season with their conference Super Bowl win over the Brandon Bears in triple overtime.

Jordan Griffin of the Bucs kicked a game-tying field goal at the end of regulation and ran for the game-winning touchdown in the third overtime, giving his team a 30-24 victory.

"Not too many people get the opportunity to play on an NFL field, so it's a really big deal for them," Howard said.

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555.

Photo credit: Photo from Tracy Howard

Photo: The East Bay Buccaneers Midget Football team: Jordan Anderson, Deshawn Barnes, Hunter Blaisdell, Tyler Blaisdell, Garrett Bye, Austin Carpenter, Christopher Chatfield, Kain Cranker, Travis Davis, Ryan Dixon, K.C. Forward, Tajee Fullwood, Treymon Fullwood, Jordan Griffin, Xavier Hernandez, Sean Herrick, Julian Jaramillo, Brett Johnson, Zach Joslin, Jordan Karras, Brandon Leija, Christian Leto, Darrius Martin, Justin McDonald, Jackson Parisey, Ryan Pipher, Craige Pittman, Spencer Preston, Demetrik Roberts, Jeremy Shumaker, Dylan Singletary, Jesse Taylor, Bryan Thomas, Landen Turner, Ramon Venegas and Stevie Wint. The head coach is Darryl Griffin, and his staff includes assistant coaches John Herrick, Jason Hillman, Mike Homan, Dave Johnson, Jody Porter and Rob Preston, and trainer Brandon Porter. The Bucs cheerleading squad: Stephanie Black, Brittany Bolis, Mia Brown, Fantasia Davis, Morgan Davis Jaelee Edmond, Taylor Maynard, Ariana Miller, Hannah Stewart, Rachel Taylor and Lindsey Tucker.

Copyright ? 2008, The Tampa Tribune and may not be republished without permission. E-mail library@tampatrib.com