The Knightdale Dragons youth football team could be national champs, but they need the community's help to get there

The Knightdale Dragons could go all the way.

The youth football team could soon play for the Pop Warner National Title in Orlando. That’s if they can get the money together to get there; right now, they are about $15,000 short.

Many of these kids have been teammates for years, like 11-year-old Keion Woods and 10-year-old Dylan Warren.

“We hang out almost 24/7, like almost every day," the boys told WRAL News. "We bond all the time.”

That kind of bond has earned the Knightdale Dragons some hardware.

“We are, right now, the state champions," said coach Tirone Bradford. "The regional champs.”

The next step is the big prize, the 2022 pop warner national championships in Orlando.

“We are excited to go, it will be a great experience and we hope we can win the game,” said Warren.

There’s just one thing the coach has not told them: They don’t have the money to get the team there and to cover their lodging, food and fees.

"No, they don’t know anything,” said Bradford.

It’s going to take a Hail Mary and the clock is running out. Still, with just days until the championship, the coach is confident they will find a way.

“It would be heartbreaking if we aren’t able to get these kids to Disney,” said Bradford.

The Knightdale Dragons could use another win right now.

“We have been working hard all season just to accomplish our goals,” said Warren.

They hope the community will join the team – to get them to the championship.

Just 24 hours after WRAL News initially shared the Dragons story, they had received over $24,000 in donations.

That tournament in Florida starts on December 3 – that’s soon.

You can help the team get there by contributing to one of their two fundraisers HERE or HERE.