It’s been a year of firsts for the Mighty Mites youth football team as it competed in and won its first Super Bowl title on November 6.

The Dartmouth Youth Football League team – made up of kids ages 7-9 – faced off against Portsmouth in the Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts Football and Spirit Conference championship game. After going scoreless into double overtime, Dartmouth won it with a touchdown, finishing 0-6.

The championship title comes after the Mighty Mites picked up a win in the playoffs against Middletown. Both wins put the youth team at a 10-1 record, having only suffered a single loss against Old Rochester on October 16. DYFL Commissioner Mike Boucher credits the team’s success to the positive atmosphere offered by the league.

“From the first day of practice to the last play, it has always been a family atmosphere,” Boucher said.

Heading into the championship game, Boucher said his team's level of enthusiasm was inspiring. He changed some tactics leading into the game to keep Portsmouth on its feet, and the kids quickly adjusted.

The Mighty Mites weigh in as one of the smaller teams in the league in terms of players' body sizes. Boucher said that means opponents are often much taller and larger, but he does not let size intimidate his players because they have strong talent.

“We’re the lightest team by body type across the board,” Boucher said. “We get the kids pumped up to succeed.”

Boucher said another Super Bowl run is quite possible for the Mighty Mites next season. While he will lose some players to compete in higher age brackets, he said the program is constantly adding younger players to the mix.