West Hartford Youth Football – Week One Game Summaries

Submitted by John LaSpada

The West Hartford Youth Football League (WHYFL) kicked off its 58th season Sunday afternoon at Sterling Field, with a full slate of games at the Mighty Mite (7, 8 and 9 year olds), Pee Wee (10 and 11 year olds), and Pony (12,13,14 year olds) divisions. In addition, the league welcomed the addition of the Farmington Valley Mudhogs, as they will play a combined schedule with the WHYFL Pony Division for the 2013 season.

Mayor Scott Slifka and WHYFL President Walter Hussey welcomed the crowd and Janey Lorenzo, an 8th grader from St. Timothy Middle School, sang the national anthem. The WHYFL also presented a check for $900 to Bob Macca of the Unite for Lights campaign to help support the town’s efforts to install field lights at both Conard and Hall High School this season.

FLAG DIVISION

Joey’s Pizza Pie (Black) 24 – AC Petersons (Green) 18

Joeys Pizza played a tough season opener against AC Petersons on Sunday afternoon at Sterling Field. AC Petersons opened with an immediate 6 points on 2nd down.  Joey’s answered back with an 85 yard touchdown run by Jacob Giangreco who took a handoff and cruised down the sideline. Giangreco would also add to the score in 2nd half with another touchdown. Gavin Cykley showed his skills, using the sideline then cutting back to the middle and accelerating away from the defense for an easy touchdown.

Additional points were put up by Jack Wahl-Cox who cut through the defense beating the last player on the 10 yard line to record his 1st touchdown in black.  Joey’s pulled it off despite a late touchdown by AC Petersons and recorded its first victory, winning 24-18.

Dick’s Sporting Goods (Red) 24 - West Hartford Firefighters Association (White) 18

The WHYFL flag season opened with a strong performance by both teams.  Dick’s Sporting Goods opened the game with a long touchdown run by Graham “Wiggy” Wiggenhauser followed by a touchdown reception by Michael Griffin-Prado on their second possession.  West Hartford Firefighters responded with a mix of running and passing resulting in long touchdowns by Quinn Moran, Burke Reynolds, and Griffin Smith. 

Dick’s added another touchdown from Wiggy and Nathan Refici also scrambled up the middle for a score.  Strong defensive effort from Tyler Walsh and Caleb Salomons on Dick’s Sporting Goods and from Tyler Finley and Ronan Foley on West Hartford Firefighters.

Sweet Frog (Purple) 32 – Mooyah (Green) 6

The Sweet Frog Ravens jumped to an early lead with a 55-yard touchdown run from Jack Decker on the first play of scrimmage and used it to roll to a 32-6 victory over Mooyah. After consecutive defensive stops in the first half, the Ravens scored additional touchdowns on long runs by Tyler Redden and Chase Hanawalt for a 22-0 halftime lead and added an additional touchdown by Isaac Ramsey early in the second half. Mooyah didn’t give up and on their last offensive play scored a touchdown with a long run by Cooper Trantraporn to put Mooyah on the board. The final two points were added by Jack Decker when he intercepted the Coach thrown two point conversion pass and returned it all the way.

While the Mooyah Flag Football team did not find themselves winning this the game - their effort and determination paid off with that last touchdown. Both Nicholas Hall and Tyler had notable rushing yards throughout the game. Jeremy Hernandez did an excellent job playing center and snapping the ball to the Quarterback.  For the Sweet Frog Ravens is was a balanced effort as no player ran or caught the ball more than once and the young kids like Wade Crowther, Jasesh Henry and Christopher “Tophy” Quigley enjoyed their first career carries. 

MIGHTY MITE DIVISION

Macca Plumbing Cowboys 28 – Santoro Construction Steelers 0  

It was a nice sunny day at Sterling field as the Cowboys and Steelers opened up the 2013 WHYFL regular season. The Cowboys won the toss and received the kickoff.  They started immediately with the ground game and picked up seven yards on the first 3 carries. On 4th down and 3, the Cowboys chose to go for it and scored long a 30-yard scamper by quarterback Jack Kennedy.  The Cowboys converted the two point conversion on a pass from Kennedy to Tight End Ben Woerlen.  

After the Steelers went three and out, the Cowboys received the ball in good field position and hit pay dirt on a 20-yard run by Kennedy.  The two point conversion was stopped by a strong defensive effort on the front line of the Steelers.  The Steelers converted a few first downs before giving the ball back on downs to the Cowboys right before the half expired.  Score at halftime was Cowboys 14, Steelers 0.  

The Steelers received the kickoff to start the 3rd quarter and gathered some momentum with two first down conversions that took up most of the 3rd quarter. After they were stopped on 4th down the Cowboys took over deep in the own territory.  The Cowboys scored on the first play from scrimmage as Kennedy took it for a 45 yard touchdown run down the left sideline.  The extra point was converted by fullback Pete Langevin run up the middle.  The Steelers next possession went four and out and the Cowboys scored on a 10 yard touchdown run by tailback Chase Fountain.  The extra point pass was knocked down on a great defensive play by the Steelers front line again.  

Defensive standouts for the Cowboys were Trevor Tanis, Chase Fountain, Walker Disque. Steelers standout were Dylan Swift, Kevin Kirklin and Andrew Hunter.  

Next week, the Steelers battle the Browns while the Cowboys take on the Jets.

Moe’s Southwest Grill Jets 13 – Fischman Orthodontics Browns 12

In what will sure be rebroadcast as an Instant Classic on ESPN, the Moe’s Southwest Grill Jets’ defense held the Fischman Orthodontics Browns out of the end zone on the final drive of the game to secure a hard fought 13-12 victory on opening day at Sterling Field.

The Jets’ offensive attack was fueled by a ground game led by rookie Logan Murphy, Tommy LaSpada, and DJ Romano. Murphy’s two scores paced the Jets and LaSpada’s rushing conversion proved to be the difference in the game.

Quarterback Jack Brown and running backs Eli Salomons, Patrick Schwab, and Dajuan Banks led the Browns offense. Banks had two touchdowns on the day.

The Jets notched their first touchdown late in the first quarter as Murphy followed a solid lead block by Wyatt Reid and dashed 40 yards to push the Jets out to a 6-0 lead.

The Browns fielded the ensuing kickoff and nearly scored on their second play from scrimmage as Brown hit Tanner Ostop in stride, but Jets’ safety Wyatt Reid made a touchdown-saving tackle to bring him down after a 20-yard gain. The Jets defense stood tall, and forced a turnover on downs on big stops by Walker Beverly, Jonny Robinson, and Romano. The first half ended with the Jets leading 6-0.

The Jets extended their lead to 12-0 on a solid 5-play, 50-yard drive to open the fourth quarter. LaSpada, Romano, and Aidan Dorian each had solid runs, and Murphy capped the drive with the score. LaSpada converted the rushing conversion and the Jets’ lead stood at 13-0 with just under seven minutes remaining.

Banks returned the ensuing kickoff 35-yards for a touchdown to pull the Browns within 13-6. Banks later scored again on an 8-yard run to pull the Browns within 13-12 with just under four minutes remaining. The Jets defense thwarted the pivotal rushing conversion attempt as Brockway, Charles Dowd, LaSpada, Dorian and Murphy swarmed to the ball to maintain the advantage.

The Browns defense forced the Jets to turn the ball over on downs, and began their last possession at mid field, with 58 seconds remaining and no time outs. The Jets defense stood tall and held the Browns off the scoreboard as time expired.

Standouts for the Jets included Romano, Robinson, LaSpada, Murphy, Beverly, Brockway, and Reid.

Standouts for the Browns on defense included Banks, Farber, Riley McCoy, Boomer Staunton, and Matt Santoro. On offense, the Browns were led by Banks (2 TDs), Brown, Xavier Couloute, Ostop, Staunton and Santoro.

The Jets move on to face the Cowboys on Sunday, and the Steelers will matchup against the Browns.  

PEE WEE DIVISION

The Watts Group Giants 19 – Sports Authority Colts 6

In the season opener for both squads the Giants prevailed 19-6 in a hard fought well- played game. The Giants struck pay dirt on their first possession. Quarterback Dan Hussey hit split end Sean McNamara on a 45 yard bomb, however McNamara was tackled on the one. The very next play Hussey found the end zone on a keeper behind the block of Richie Aponte. On the next Colt possession, Colum Flaherty scored on a scintillating 45 scamper around and through the Giants defense to knot the game at 6. The Giants returned the favor as Hussey followed his excellent blocking on a 60 yard gallop down the left sidelines to put the Giants up 12-6.

In the second half, the Giants pounded the middle behind linemen Sekope Colon, Mike Mancini and Richie Aponte. Skye Dolce ran hard on six straight carries and eventually found the end zone to put the Giants up 19-6. The Giants defense stiffened and held the Colts scoreless for the duration of the game. Standing out for the Giants were McNamara, Dolce, Namnoun and Aponte on defense.  For the Colts, Matteo Moran was flawless at center, Emmet Coco made a very nice interception. Tommy Sullivan played a strong defensive game and Nate Bones was a force on offense.

JT Ghamo 49ers 18 – Brewer Paving Packers 6

A great game between two squads with many new players for the 2013 season.  The 49ers we given the ball first and weren’t able to penetrate the Packer’s strong front line and were eventually forced to punt.  After continued back and forth 49er quarterback Nico Mazzocca was able to guide his team down a long drive cumulating in a 1-yard touchdown run by Gabe Salomons.  The Packers stuffed the extra point attempt.

Salomons continued his stellar play on the following series with a defensive interception returned for 40 yards for another touchdown.  For a second time, however, the 49ers were not able to convert the extra point and game remained close at 12-0 at the half.  

In the second half, the 49ers maintained offensive control and mounted a long drive on the backs of linemen Botnick, Chabot, Labranch, Goldstein and Mulready; with long gains by Josiah Rivers.  Jack Tousigant punched in another touchdown to bring the lead to 18-0.

The Packers never relented, their strong fullback Miles Sierra knocked off several big gainer plays but the 49ers defense held up.  In the 4th quarter, the Packer’s defense struck big with a Sierra strip of the football that went 20 yards and set up a Packer touchdown also by Sierra. The Packers were unable to convert the extra point attempt, and the score remained 18-6 until time expired.

Standouts for the Packers included Sierra, Larry Womack, Ryan Venora, Julian DeCampos, Gabe Hernandez and Marcus Ramsey.

Dick’s Sporting Goods Patriots 32 – Hartford Hospital Rehabilitation Network Vikings 0

The Dick’s Sporting Goods Patriots opened the season with a solid effort, turning back the Hartford Hospital Rehabilitation Network Vikings 32-0 in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Sterling Field.

Quarterbacks George Andrews and Matthew Keller captained the Patriot offense and running backs Silas Bridges (3 touchdowns), Kenneth Shazel, Jr (1 touchdown) and Dillon Bent (two rushing conversions) anchored the ground game behind solid offensive line play of Luke Hache, Joey LaSpada, Will Carson, Bryson Denby, Michael Quiros, and Robert Parrotta.

Vikings fullback Joey Lemieux had a solid effort, with several strong runs and Cameron Gregory played well at quarterback. Drew Currier played solid defense with several great tackles late in the game. Matt Schwab, Aiden Guzman, and Brennen Ravenberg played tough defensive line as well.

After forcing a three and out on the opening possession, Keller returned a punt 35-yards to setup Bridges’ first score and push the Patriots out to an early 7-0 lead following Bent’s rushing conversion. Shazel later scored on a 20-yard dash down the right sideline to push the lead to 14-0, following Bent’s second rushing conversion. The Patriots ended the first half scoring on Bridges’ second touchdown to push the score to 20-0.

The Patriots continued where they left off in the first half, scoring on their first offensive possession on a fantastic run by Bridges who ran 60-yards to put the Patriots up 26-0.

The Vikings offense would not relent, and drove deep into Patriot territory late in the fourth quarter. Patriots’ rookie Brian Kenna capped the scoring after he intercepted Cameron Gregory’s pass and returned it 60 yards for the score as time expired.

The Patriots had a great team effort on defense, and received solid play from Bent, Bridges, Shazel, and Parrotta, who each came up with solid tackles. Cornerbacks Luke Duzan, Carlos Kerrigan-Mock, and Jacob Torres also came up with big stops to turn back several Viking sweeps.

PONY DIVISION

Farmington White 26 – West Hartford Chargers 14

The West Hartford Chargers entertained the visiting Farmington White team Sunday to kick off the new season with the merged Farmington Valley Mudhogs and West Hartford Pony League.

White took the opening kickoff and methodically drove down field with a punishing off tackle attack - scoring to take an 8-0 first quarter lead.

The Chargers took the following kickoff and drove the length of the field with Drew Booth going in from the one yard line and AJ Fair catching a Grant  O'Conner pass to make the score 8-6 . Valentino West and Spencer Merkel provided the gains to set up the Booth touchdown.

Farmington White took the following kickoff and went back to what they do best and scored on a 12 play 65-yard drive to take a 14 -6 lead midway through the 2nd quarter.

The Chargers came right back again driving down field, but facing a critical 3rd down and 2 from Farmington White 25 yard line, the Chargers had a bad snap, resulting in a fumble that Farmington White returned 65 yards for the score to take a 20-6 lead with 1:45 to go in the half.

The Chargers came right back and worked the clock to move down field with Grant O'Conner connecting with AJ Fair on a 40 yard touchdown. The first half ended with Farmington White leading 20-14.

Both teams made adjustments at the half and the game ended White 26- Chargers 14

The Chargers will have a bye during Week 2, and will prepare for a pivotal Week 3 matchup with the Eagles. Last year, these two teams played four hard fought games,  with the Chargers winning three, but the Eagles come into this season with addition talent that will make the Week 3 matchup a real battle.

West Hartford Health and Rehab Wildcats 28 – Farmington Black 6

The 2013 WHYFL season began with the West Hartford Health and Rehab Wildcats visiting Farmington for the first away game for the new combined Pony league schedule.

Farmington Black received the opening kickoff and began the game and drove down the field with a steady ground attack. After moving the ball into Wildcat territory, the Cats forced a fumble which was recovered by Griffin Smith. The Wildcats marched downfield featuring a strong running and moved in for the first score. Hugh Wells and Cullen McCaffrey led the way with fine blocks clearing the way for Griffin Smith to put the ball into the end zone for the opening score.

The Cats ensuing kickoff was fielded by Farmington who then tied the game with a 65 yard kickoff return for a score.

Back came the Wildcats. Behind linemen Dominic Mongillo and Carter Horton, quarterback Max Main led the team downfield. After solid runs by backs Ryan Orlowski and Nolan Tibbal, who ate up yards, Main then converted with David Torres on a 64-yard touchdown pass. That combination hooked up again on a pass for the extra points putting the Wildcats in the lead 14-6.

The second quarter was a back and forth defensive stalemate with neither team able to score. Wildcats John Kirklin was dominant at DE and Dario Laria and Elijah Henriques-Bryan were formidable on the defensive line.

Wildcat Max Main took control as the second half began. With a combination of pounding runs up the middle and short passes to Chris Chukwura and David Torres, he led the Cats to another score - a 24-yard run by Torres.

The Wildcats defense remained obstinate. Solo tackles by Brendan Begley and Dario Laria aided the Cat defense. Then Chris Chukwura scooped up another Farmington fumble and took it to the house 60 yards for the final score of the game.

It was a well contested game with outstanding effort for the first Farmington opponent.

The Wildcats return next week to face the Raiders, and Farmington Black will move on to face Farmington Maroon in Week 2.

Farmington Blue 27 – Universal Connectivity Raiders 13

Farmington Blue opened the season with a hard fought 27-13 victory over the Universal Connectivity Raiders.

Farmington Blue will move on to face Farmington White in Week 2, while the Raiders will face the Wildcats.

Farmington Maroon 35 – Beachland Tavern Ravens 6

Farmington Maroon will move on to face Farmington Black in Week 2, while the Ravens will face the Eagles.