Flag Division
The following players turned in outstanding plays:
Patricia’s II Black Feet – Damon Peruso and Joseph Lillard
Busco’s Deli & Catering Cherokee – Anthony Schettino and John Fragale
Parkview Sports Center Delaware – Chance Payero and Ty Bernardi
Teitel Brothers Mohicans – Peter Lisanti and Samuel Santiago
Clara Reality Shawnee – Carlo Volpe and Maine Calderon
Pelham Bay Carvel Sioux – Gavin Noriega and Kevin DeJesus
Mite Division
In the first Mite game the Legends Photography Giants beat the Villa Barone Manor Eagles 13 to 0. The first Giants touchdown was scored by Mark Vega on a huge 60 yard reverse taking the ball from Nicholas Bracer. The Eagles second touchdown of the game came on a 30 yard scamper down the right sideline by Julian Cardona. The Giants defense was the difference in the second half with huge tackles by the following players to stop the Eagle drives: Joseph Mazzariello, Anthony DeAngelo, Nicholas Bracer, Matthew Carrera, Nick Furio, Brendan Materbeek, Mark Cojocaru, and Nick Lynch. The Giant defense truly put forth a team effort.
The second Mite game saw the North Bronx Paint and Hardware Jets upset the first place American A-1 Auto Chiefs 6 to 0.
Pee Wee Division
In a very hard fought defensive battle the Dr. David Stevens Steelers out lasted the Kleen-Awn Blue Devils 6 to 0. For the Steelers, Renard Johnson led the offense with most of the carries and the game’s only touchdown. Nick Garcia helped lead Johnson to the end zone with some key blocks. On defense the Steelers were led by Chris Converse with 12 solo tackles, 5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles as the Steelers gave up only one 1st down the entire game. Joe Santos had 5 tackles and a forced fumble from his middle linebacker position and Kameren McMillan had very big tackles and an interception. Ben Gonzalez played the most aggressive football he ever played with 6 tackles from his corner back position. The entire Steelers defense played with fire and aggression.
The Middletown Animal Clinic Spartans defeated the Jimmy Ryan’s Crusaders in the second Peewee game of the day. Jordan Dabkowski of the Spartans led all players with two touchdowns, one for 50 yards and the other for 25 yards. Sean Vanegas scored from the 2 yard line while Christopher Campuzano playing quarterback for the first time scored from the 7. These great runs could not have happen if it wasn’t for the solid blocking of Joseph Silvestri, Justin Kelly, Eric King and Victor Falu. The Spartan defense played tough as they kept the Crusaders to only one score. Nicholas Zayas had a sack for a 7 yard loss, while David Caraballo created chaos in the Crusaders back field, Kalif Cox had three tackles for losses and Derrick Shirley put pressure on the Crusaders offense all day.
In the Peewee game played on Sunday, the Food Factory Ramblers kept the first play hopes alive by beating the Anthony’s Collision Redskins 12 to 6. Bryan Lugo led the Ramblers offensive attack with three receptions, one a 35 yard screen pass that went for a touchdown. He also had a 40 yard kickoff return and ran for 50 yards on the day. The second Rambler touchdown was scored by Tristen Stor on a 7 yard scamper. Andrew Geni ran for 70 yards on nine carries. On defense for the Ramblers, Tyler Scott had a fumble recovery and a quarterback sack, Anthony Martinez and Jimbo Barry had fumble recoveries, Albert Torres and Anthony Muniz made solid tackles that kept the Redskins to only one touchdown.
Junior Division
It was a dreary overcast day for the start of the last game of the season for the Junior Division Ralph Giordano F. H. Saints as they defeated the McNulty F. H. Rams 13 to o. A testament to the character of the 2008 Saints was the fact that with rain threatening and no possible change to the standings all 19 Saint players came ready to play. The Rams won the toss and the game was under way. The leading Saints scorer Jeremy Vega started it off with a 55 yard run to the outside behind a good block by Jose Detres. The extra point was unsuccessful. The entire Saints defense had a very busy day as the Rams mixed up their offense. The safeties Michael Lynch, Kevin Payano and Bryan Leon had several blocked passes. The ends Zamuki Colon and Steven Ramos kept watch for the sideline pass and reverse. The tackles Sean Sonnemann and Paget Bramble pressured the Rams quarterback on almost every pass play, while the guards Justin Mogg and Elyjah Alamo plugged the center. The Saints linebackers Ryan DiGirolamo, David Rivas-Torres and Jeremy Vega held the Rams to short yardage. Back on offense DiGirolamo connected with Vega on a short pass and long run combo for the second score, and Vega punched it in for the extra point behind the blocking of Joshua Mojica and Anthony Lardo. That was it for the scoring for the day. The rain came and it was a cold soaker but neither team was going to quit. The Saints mixed things around with QB DiGirolamo taking snaps from both Robert Silvestri and Matthew Kelly and the rest of the Saints offensive line of Lardo, Mojica, Bramble, Sonnemann, Thomas Rufino and Joshua Nugent tried to keep the Saints moving but the weather and penalties did not allow any more scoring. That was the end of the game and the end of the 2008 season for the Saints. A season all 19 players can be proud to have been a part of. They finished first in their division, were undefeated, and allowed only 18 points to be scored against them all season. All important statistics to be sure, but most importantly they came to every game, worked hard together, became better together and had fun doing it. Go Saints!
The second junior game between the Silvestri Carpet Javelins and the Paddy Doherty’s Black Knights was rained out. This game will be played next Saturday at 2:30 pm.
