West Hartford Youth Football League Wrap-Ups for Week Ending October 9

Pee Wee Division:

Giants 34 - Patriots 25

On a magnificent day at Sterling Field the Pee Wee Giants prevailed 34-25 over a valiant Patriot squad. The Giants scored on their first play from scrimmage as Drew Booth went off tackle on a 23 gallop to pay dirt. Spencer Merkel found the end zone on a nice 5 yard off tackle run to make the score 14-0. Jeff LaRosa took it to the house on a 40 jaunt down the left sideline to put the Gmen up 21-7 at the break. In the second half, young Dan Hussey scored his first Pee Wee TD, and Drew Booth added his second tally to close out the scoring for the Giants. Otis Donaldson was stellar on both sides of the ball closing the game by gaining 40 yards on 3 carries. Standing out for the Giants were Dom Mongillo, Skye Dolce, Brian Namnoum, Owen West, Daquan World CJ Denson and Franklin Robinson.

Vikings 14 - Colts 12
 
According to Vikings Coach Michael LaMarco, the Venora Electric Vikings faced a very tough and formidable Colt team. The first half didn’t look good for the Vikings as the Colts’ air attack had them bewildered. On their first possession, the Colts threw their way down field and scored first. The Vikings denied them the extra point and went to work on offense. The Viking first procession was halted by the Colts and was forced to turn the ball over on downs. The Colts didn’t waste any time going back to the air and floated down field for a second score. Again, the Vikings were able prevent the Colts from converting the extra point. The two teams battled it out for the rest of the first half and the Vikings were able to halt a Colt passing drive when Tyler Marino intercepted a Colt pass and ran it back inside Viking territory. Time ran out as the Vikings fought to get a first-half score but it just wouldn’t be, and the two teams broke for the half-time with the Colts, 12, Vikings, 0. The second half found a new and revitalized Vikings team. The boys in purple and white handled everything the mighty Colts threw at them. The Vikings defensive line consisting of Tim Cotter, George Stoughton, Ryan Venora, Neil Gustafson, and Brock Pizzoferrato pushed and shoved their way into the Colts’ offensive backfield, forcing throws and halting any running game. While the Vikings secondary players Christian St. Juste, Alex Guevara, Sean Clifford, Alex Dobbins and Tyler Marino, who had a second interception late in the third quarter, prevented the Colts from completing any second half passes. While the Vikings defense did their job, it was time for the Vikings offensive to step up. Brandon Maynard, Angus McDonald, Mike Pollack, and Griffin Van Rye joined force as offensive linemen and opened holes for the backs. Viking Christopher LaMarco glided through a Viking-made hole in the Colts’ defensive and scrambled 38 eight yards for the Vikings’ first score. Matt Langevin connected with Cameron Silver for the two-point conversion, and the Vikings were on their way. After halting another Colt drive, the Vikings offense bucked and drove the ball downfield, picking a huge first down from a Cameron Silver end-around. The next play, LaMarco would pick up a Viking fumble and shock the Colts with a 22-yard dash into the end zone. Sean Guevara’s subsequent onside kick would give the Vikings back the ball late in the fourth quarter. However, the Colts weren’t going away that easily. After taking the ball back on a failed Vikings fourth and five attempt, the Colts aired out a few more passes. But the Vikings would have none of that and took the ball back on downs. With one minute and 15 seconds left to play, the Vikings took a knee on their final two snaps and walked off the field with their well-earned 14 – 12 victory. The Vikings would like to thank the Colts for a great game.

Colts Coach Paul Stratton had this to say about the game: The Stratton Faxon Peewee Colts played an exciting game versus a determined Vikings team. The game was a team of two different halves, with the Colts dominating the first half and the Vikings dominating the second half and ultimately securing the win. The Colts took the opening kickoff and marched right down the field. The Colts' first touchdown came on a nice 25 yd pass play from QB Jack Moore to TE Spencer Witter. The Colts defense was stingy in the first half and held the Vikings offense to little if any yardage. Late in the first quarter the Colts' offense struck again. This time Jack Moore took it around left end 21 yards to the end zone and quickly the score was 12-0. Defensively, the Colts were dominant in the first half with many big tackles by Justin Surowiec, Thomas Sullivan, Matthew Maddog Shea and Noah Pryzbek. Dean Edwards contributed to the defensive effort with a diving interception. The Colts opened the second half by recovering an onside kick.  At this point, however, the Vikings defense stepped up its play and held the Colts offense in check the rest of the way. The Colts fought hard in the second half but struggled offensively. The Colts defense continued to be tough, but the Vikings kept plugging away, scoring twice, the second time with just 2 minutes to go on a 4th and goal play.

Brewer Paving Packers 19 – Wealth Management Group of North America Titans 12

On Sunday's unseasonably warm day at Sterling Field the WHYFL Pee Wee division saw an epic battle between two unbeatens. The 1-0-1 Packers faced a very strong and well-balanced 3-0 Titan squad in the early game on Field A. In a game marked by strong defense, the Wealth Management Group of North America Titans scored first on a long, time consuming drive of over 12 plays. Relying on the rush behind a very strong offensive line, the Titans took a 6-0 lead into the second quarter. The Packers quickly responded and moved the chains with runs by Dominick Niman and Nolan Tibball. Niman finished off the drive with a weaving 25-yard run lead by his offensive line of Hugh Wells, Peter Steinle, Julian DeCampos, Josh Kursman, Larry Womack, Chris Stimson and Jaden Shaw (point after failed). The Packers defense then took to the field, and after giving up a couple of first downs, these young players dug in and forced a key fumble. The offense clicked with runs by Zack Cohen, Niman and Tibball and although they knocked on the door, they couldn’t get the ball into the end zone. The Titans took over on their own ½ yard line and moved the ball out of their end of the field, only to turn the ball over on downs and back to a hungry Packer offense.  With only minutes left in the 2nd quarter the Brewer Paving Packers got to work and moved the ball down field under the leadership of quarterback Andrew Nicklas, toping off the sound drive with a touchdown pass to Wells. Niman converted the point after with a strong inside run, giving the Packers a lead. The third quarter saw both teams use their offenses effectively, but to no avail. The Packers defense proved to be stingy with key plays by James Gadue, Jack McHale, Jack Ledwith, Miles Sierra, Elijah Henriques, and Gabe Hernandez. Defense dominated the 3rd quarter until the Titans went to the air on a long, 20-yard touchdown strike. With the 2-point attempt intercepted by the Packer’s Tibball, the Packers held on to a 1-point lead late into the 4th quarter. The next Packer possession proved to be their best with a mix of runs and passes from numerous players. Tibball topped off the drive with a 5-yard run (point after attempt failed). Not to be outdone, the Packers Special Teamers sealed the win by recovering a deep and tricky kickoff. Shaw recovered the ball with the aggressive help of Ean Tyler, Devonte DeLeon, Carl Nicklas and others, opening the door for their offense to run the clock out for a decisive win. Both teams should feel good about their efforts today. Each player proved to be strong, determined competitor, and they should all be commended for their sportsmanship.

Midget Division:

The West Hartford Rotary Club Midget Raiders 0 - Eagles 8

The Midget Raiders played an excellent defensive game against an Eagles team which averaged 39 points in their first three games.  The Raiders defense held the Eagles to 8 points for the game and three scoreless endings. Joseph Morrissey had a sack and two plays for loss yardage. Evan Duzan penetrated the Eagles backfield the entire game.  Jonathon Lagoy and Declan Flaherty also had several plays for loss yardage. Andy Le played a dominant game at the defensive end position forcing several plays backwards for lost yards. Le also recovered a fumble during first quarter. The Raider offense had several flashes of brilliances when Flaherty connected with James Morrissey for a 30-yd pass and hard runs from Lagoy. Outstanding players of the game: Connor Thomas, Declan Flaherty, Evan Duzan, James Morrissey, Joseph Morrissey, Jonathon Lagoy, Colby Jones and Andy Le.

Chargers 26 - Wildcats 18

The Midgets came out with all guns blazing on Sunday and the biggest gun came from QB Ryan Cova as he opened the quarter with 2 TD passes to both of his WRs Hunter Polce and Leo Perez! Leo pulled in a 35 yarder and scamper to his pay-day and Hunter said he was gonna “get some too” as he took it to the house with a 25 yarder for 6 as well! Ryan hit both boys on the numbers on both plays! RBs Theo Blaschinski and Brendan Connors set up the TDs with some hard running for a combined 68 yards rushing in our Midget Thunder and Lightening Duo!! The second quarter also saw Theo break out an excellent 20 yard off tackle run into the endzone for another 6. The PA was pulled in by WR Leo Perez for 2! The Cats were able to answer with 6 of their own as their RB was able to break through and cause 4 broken tackles to run in the TD. The Charger defense held strong as they kept them out of the endzone for the PA. Halftime saw the Chargers leading 20-6. The 3rd quarter was a defensive battle with both teams giving up very little ground as they were both fighting for every inch. A couple of Charger miscues on the line (penalties and missed tackles) allowed the Wildcats to pull within 8 and close out the quarter trailing by only 8. The 4th quarter saw the Chargers turn up the heat again as CB Leo Perez ripped the ball out of the hands of the Cats RB and then allowed us to set up next score in high school fashion with Theo Blaschinski (lining up at the TE position) being hit right in stride by a beautiful Ryan Cova pass and a perfectly timed Leo Perez block that Theo took 45 yards into the EZ for the 6, the Chargers tried for a 1-PA up the middle, but the Cat D held strong and we were denied! The Wildcats were again able to pull within 8 as they were able to take advantage of the blown cover and pass in for 6...but we’re stuffed on the PA attempt! Chargers were led on Offense by Ryan Cova with 155 yards passing and 3TDs!! WR Leo Perez with 75 yards receiving and a TD, WR Hunter Polce with 42 yards receiving and a TD, RB Theo Blaschinski with 85 yards rushing, 45 yards receiving and 2 TDs, TE Thomas Newton with 15 yards receiving and RB Brendan Connors with 21 yards rushing. As well the Offense was led by a line that broke open some awesome holes for our backfield (Anthony Verde, Jared Reisner, Peter Fox, Ryan Burgos, Brad Currier, and Thomas Newton). The Charger Defense was led by DT Peter Fox with 7 tackles, NT Anthony Verde with 7 tackles, DE Theo Blaschinski with 3 tackles, CB Leo Perez with 3 tackles and strip, and DTs Brad Currier and Jared Reisner with 2 tackles each. This was an excellent team effort and team win!!

Pony Division:

Colt Defense LLC Pony Raiders 27 - Eagles 27

Saturday Night Under the Lights in West Hartford. What a Game! Raiders started the game with a strong defense and a potent offense. Carson Reale led the offense with spectacular passes to Byron Jones. Jones caught two passes in the first quarter to give the Raiders an 8-0 lead. After several defensive stops, Throy Brown ran the ball on power runs scoring in the second quarter giving the Raiders a 14-0 lead with Reale running in the extra point to give the Raiders a 15-0 lead at the half. However in the second half, the Eagles came out with aggressive blocking and tackling to run off 21 points in the third quarter. Eagles scored again early in the fourth quarter to run the score to 27-15 Eagles. Behind by 12 points, Reale calmed his offense down with the help of Jones and Kevin Vaughan with speed sweep runs behind great blocking of Giovanni Garcia, Jordan Baker, Isiah Cintron, Michael Tuite, and William Dicke.  Vaughan scored the last 12 points of the game to tie the game 27-27.  Reale had several runs of his own help bring the Raiders back in the game. Defensively, Raider captain Zachary Boehm led the team in tackles while Vaughan led the team in sacks and tackles for loss yardage. Outstanding players of the game: Carson Reale, Kevin Vaughan, Byron Jones, Zachary Boehm, Kyle Pena-Green and Michael Tuite.

Wildcats 31 - Chargers 6

The Chargers and Wildcats were ready to go for the annual “Game Under the Lights” on Friday and both teams looked like they were going to bring their "A Game" as they warmed up. Unfortunately for the Chargers things started off on a bad note as they fumbled the opening kick off and gave the Wildcats excellent field position that they quickly took advantage of and scored 6 points, the Chargers were able to hold them out of the end zone for the PA. On their first possession of the game the Chargers were unable to score and once the ball changed hands on downs the Wildcats again found pay-dirt, but the Charger defense was able to stand strong and keep them out of the end zone again. With the Wildcats up to a quick 12-0 lead, the Bolts were forced to change their game plan to quicker strike offense that proved to be a big mismatch against the bigger Wildcat line. The second quarter did see the Chargers get on the board with a nicely timed half-back pass from RB Andrew Lemkuil to streaking WR Jack Ryan who scampered 35 yards into the EZ for 6!! Again, the Wildcat line just proved to be too much for the Chargers as they shut down the PA attempt. The Wildcats were able to chalk up another 6 as a broken play and the fleet feet of the Cats RB allowed him to break 3 tackles and run it in for 6, Chargers’ D stood strong and held them out for the PA. The second half of the game did show some signs of promise for the Bolts with LB Austin Lemkuil recovering a Cats fumble, but the Wildcats built a wall up front that the Chargers could not penetrate and got the ball back again on downs. When the clock finally showed 0:00, it was a victory for the Wildcats and a disappointing showing for the Chargers as they fell to 0-4 on the season. The Chargers Offense was led by WR Jack Ryan with a TD and 70 yards receiving, RB Andrew Lemkuil with 35 yards rushing and a TD pass, TE John Wells with 44 yards receiving, RB Lucas Decelles with 15 yards rushing and QB Austin Lemkuil with 27 yards passing. The defense was led by LB Austin Lemkuil with 6 tackles and a fumble recovery, LB Andrew Lemkuil with 8 tackles, LB Lucas Decelles with 4 tackles, DE John Wells with 4 tackles and DT Ken Bui with 2 tackles.