West Hartford Youth Football – Week Seven Game Summaries

The West Hartford Youth Football League (WHYFL) kicked off its seven week of the 2013 season Sunday afternoon at Sterling Field, with a full slate of games at the Flag (5,6, and 7 year olds), Mighty Mite (7, 8 and 9 year olds), Pee Wee (10 and 11 year olds), and Pony (12,13,14 year olds) divisions.

FLAG DIVISION

Sweet Frog (Purple) 27 - Joey’s Pizza Pie (Black) 7

On another beautiful fall day made for football with clear skis, the sound of crisp leaves rustling and a slight chill in air, the Sweet Frog Ravens continued their quest for perfection. Sweet Frog jumped out to an early lead on the very first play as Coach Redden looked left for an open receiver but finding none, and hearing words to look right, he found a wide open Jack Decker. Jack caught the bull in stride and rushed 60 yards for the touchdown and a 6-0 lead. Joey’s Pizza Pie started their first possession but that pass was intercepted by an alert Tyler Redden who returned it for a touchdown. After a nice cross field run by Isaac Ramsey for the two-point conversion, the Ravens lead 14-0. Sweet Frog quickly stopped Joey’s Pizza on a three and out and took possession for the third time deep in their own zone. After a couple of handoffs, Jack Decker took the ball on third down rushed wide left, cut back up the middle and was off to the races for the final score of the half.

The second half was very balanced as Sweet Frog worked a lot of players into the offense and Joey’s Pizza Pie stepped up their defense lead by Spencer Boucher-Zazzaro and Wells Gengras. Joey’s Pizza Pie cut the lead, too, after Jacob Giangreco got behind the Sweet Frog defense, caught the ball and outran the defense for the touchdown making the score 21-7. The final scoring drive was on a nice run up the middle by Sweet Frog’s Tyler Redden creating the final score 27-7. 

Mooyah (Green) 40 - West Hartford Firefighters Association (White) 6

The Mooyah's (Green Team) squared off against the West Hartford Firefighters (White Team). The Mooyah's scoring frenzy was led by Tyler Hazel who scored two touchdowns which included running the full length of the field each time. Later in the first half, Dominic Burgos zig-zag his way into the end zone for a touchdown. Also, scoring two touchdowns for the Mooyah's was Benjamin Halpert who cut and turned back and forth to get into the end zone. Saving the best for last, Cooper Tantraporn who not only sprinted for a touchdown and also intercepted a pass and ran the length of the field out pacing all the players for impressive heads up defensive play which added another touchdown for the Mooyah's. Way to go Cooper! Capping off the Mooyah's scoring win was Nick Hall who caught two extra point passes to add extra points to the overall score of 40 to 6. On the defensive side of the ball, several impressive heads up plays were led by Benjamin Halpert, Tyler Hazel, Dominic Burgos and Cooper Tantraporn to limit the West Hartford Firefighters scoring.   

In a rough battle, the West Hartford Firefighters fought and never gave in. Highlights on the day included a long touchdown run by Burke Reynolds, a great catch by Griffin Smith and tenacious blocking by Tommy Finley and William Keegan. The Firefighters will regroup this week and watch plenty of game film as they head into the final two weeks of the season.

Dick’s Sporting Goods (Red) 36 - AC Petersons (Blue) 24

Week 7 of West Hartford Youth Flag Football opened with a high scoring game between Dick’s Sporting Goods (Red) and AC Petersons (Blue).

AC Petersons’ first drive was stopped by Dick’s Sporting Goods due to strong defense by Tommy Hussey. The turnover on downs was quickly converted into points with a long touchdown run by Tyler Walsh, putting Dick’s up 6-0. On Dick’s following possession, Wiggy Wiggenhauser was wide open on a quick slant, scrambling his way past the secondary for a touchdown. “Magic Mike” Griffin-Prado got the call on Dick’s next possession, juking his way to Dick’s third touchdown of the game. Wiggy Wiggenhauser pulled down a second touchdown reception for Dick’s final points of the first half. AC Petersons’ offense put up two touchdowns in the first half, resulting in a halftime score of 24-12.

The second half began with Dick’s Sporting Goods’ Brody Dorian hustling down the left sideline for a 70-yard touchdown run. Later in the half, Tyler Walsh went into Beast Mode, scoring his second touchdown of the game on a hard-fought 70-yard run down the left sideline. AC Petersons had two additional scores in the second half with strong contributions from Jonathan Garcia, Brayden Mangini, and Luke Jones. Brayden Mangini also led AC Peterson’s defense on many of the stops. Dicks’ Sporting Goods’ second half defensive contributors included the linebacker crew of Brady Cersosimo, Brendan Kennedy, and Benjamin Walsh aka the “Mighty Midgets.” 

MIGHTY MITE DIVISION

Macca Plumbing Cowboys 25 - Santoro Construction Steelers 0

In the second to last week of the WHYFL regular season, the Macca Plumbing Cowboys faced the Santoro Construction Steelers.  

The Cowboys received the opening kickoff and returned it for a touchdown by Jack Kennedy. The Steelers received the ball and were forced to punt after three plays back to the Cowboys. The Cowboys drove down the field with nice runs by Chase Fountain, Walker Disque, and Peter Langevin, but were eventually stopped on downs giving the ball back to the Steelers deep in their territory. The Steelers moved the ball into the Cowboy side of field, but once again were denied on fourth down by strong defensive efforts by Jack Correia, and Trevor Tanis.  

With four minutes to go in the first half, the Cowboys drove the ball back down the field and eventually score on a bootleg by Kennedy. The teams entered the half with the Cowboys leading 12-0.

The Steelers received the second half kickoff and converted two first downs on nice runs by Dylan Swift and Jay McNamara. After being stopped on a third down, the Steelers chose to punt giving the Cowboys the ball back deep in their own territory. The Cowboys moved the ball down the field with solid runs behind Declan McCann and Trevor Tanis as well as fullback Steven Mascolo. The Cowboys found the end zone again on a short touchdown run by Kennedy and converted the extra point making the score 19-0 to start the 4th quarter.

After a Steelers fumble on the opening fourth quarter drive, the Cowboys hit the end zone for the final time on bruising run up the middle by Mascolo to put the Cowboys ahead 25-0.  

The Cowboys received solid team effort on defense from Jack Correia, Walker Disque, Declan McCann, Trevor Tanis, Matt Ganey, Sean Cooke and Matt Bates.  

Steelers standouts were Dylan Swift, Jay McNamara, Ethan Tiffany, Xavier Burgos, Kevin Kirklin and Grant Kanaga.  

The Cowboys will battle the Jets next week as the Steelers take on the Browns in the final regular season game.

Moe’s Southwest Grill Jets 20 - Fischman Orthodontics Browns 7

The Moe’s Southwest Grill Jets and Fischman Orthodontics Browns locked horns on a perfect Sunday afternoon for football, with the Jets putting forth another stout defensive performance in a 20-7 victory.

The Jets’ offensive attack was led on the ground by strong runs from Logan Murphy, Walker Beverly, DJ Romano, Tommy LaSpada, Wyatt Reid, and Israel Lopez.

The Browns were once again led by the formidable backfield of quarterback Jack Brown, Dajuan Banks, Eli Salomons and Tanner Ostop.

Lopez returned the opening kickoff to give the Jets favorable field position, and the Jets quickly jumped out on top, capping an eight-play drive with a Murphy score. Beverly added the rushing conversion, and the Jets led 7-0.

The teams continued to exchange offensive jabs in the first half, with the Jets defense holding the Browns off the scoreboard with several defensive stands on fourth down. The Browns took to the air on their last drive of the first half, but Jets’ safety Aidan Dorian stepped in front of Salomon’s half back pass attempt for the interception as time expired. The teams entered the half with the Jets leading 7-0.

The Browns received the second half kickoff and after several strong runs by Ostop and Banks were turned back on fourth down as Romano, Beverly and LaSpada tackled Banks short of the first down. Two plays later, the Jets scored to extend their lead to 13-0.

The Browns responded with a long drive anchored by runs from quarterback Brown, Ostop and Banks to push the ball down to the Jets three yard line, but an offensive penalty and sound defense by the Jets forced the Browns into a pivotal fourth down and long, which was once again turned back by the Jets’ defense.

The Jets extended their lead to 20-0 early in the fourth quarter, but the Browns would not relent. The Browns matriculated the ball down the field on a 10-play drive late in the quarter. The Jets defense received valiant play and tackles from defensive linemen Troy Griffith and Ged Gengras, linebackers Spencer Schwartz and Chris Mock-Rossi, and cornerback Joe Sabia – who each made great tackles on the final drive. The Browns did eventually cap the drive with a short touchdown run by Banks on fourth down to make the score 20-7. The ensuing Browns’ on-sides kick was recovered by LaSpada and the Jets ran out the clock to secure the win.

On defense, the Jets received outstanding play from Romano, Ben Brockway, Walker Beverly, Jonny Robinson, Joe Sabia, Dorian, LaSpada, Murphy, and Reid.

The Browns showed outstanding sportsmanship and were led by strong performances on both sides of the ball by Brown, Banks, Ostop, Matthew Farber, Xavier Couloute, Riley McCoy, and Eli Salomons.

Next week, the Jets move on to face the Cowboys and the Browns will matchup against the Steelers.  

PEE WEE DIVISION

The Watts Group Giants 39 – Hartford Hospital Rehabilitation Network Vikings 26

The Giants improve their record to 6-1 by defeating the Vikings 39-26 Sunday afternoon at Sterling Field. The Giants jumped on the Vikings early as they led 21-0 after one quarter. Dan Hussey hit his brother Joe on a 50-yard pitch and catch to put the Giants up 7-0. On the next Giants possession, Hussey hit Sean McNamara on a line for another 50-yard touchdown. Kam McKain scooped up a Viking fumble to put the Giants up 21-0 to close the first quarter. Before the half ended, Skye Dolce bulled over the Vikings on a nice 23-yard run to give the Giants a 26-6 lead.

In the second half, Dan Hussey faked his way into the end zone for six more points for the Giants. Sean McNamara put the finishing touches on the game by scampering down the sidelines on a scintillating 65-yard touchdown run.

The Giants finish their regular season by facing the 49ers next week, while the Vikings will face off against the Colts.

Brewer Paving Packers 6 - Sports Authority Colts 6

The Sports Authority Colts and Brewer Paving Packers played a hard fought Pee Wee football game to a 6-6 tie on Sunday. With the Packer's eleven strong and the Colts with just one extra player at twelve, both teams decimated by injuries showed up to play football. With only one spare player between the two teams, all of these young boys should be commended for their grit and determination.

The Packers won the opening toss and took possession of the ball first. Working their running game in a 10 plus play drive, the Packers were on the scoreboard first with a 6-0 lead. With plenty of action during the first and second quarter but little scoring, the Colts took to the air with little time remaining in the half, scoring on a long 40-yard pass. Unable to break the goal line on the extra point try, the teams went into halftime with a 6-6 tie.

The second half saw both teams adjust and dominate on defense. Other than a strong punt by the Colts, both teams had a hard time moving the ball. Late in the 4th quarter, the Colts intercepted a Packer pass deep in Packer territory and worked the ball to the Packer 2-yard line, only to turn the ball over to the Packers on downs with only 30 seconds left on the clock. Finishing in a tie, both teams should be very satisfied with their hard play and strong effort. These "iron men" treated the parents, coaches and refs on field C to a great game. 

Next week, the Packers take on the Patriots, and the Colts will match up against the Vikings. 

Dick’s Sporting Goods Patriots 26 – JT Ghamo 49ers 15

On a glorious weather day at Sterling Field, the Dick’s Sporting Goods Patriots and JT Ghamo 49ers met for the second time this season, with the Patriots edging the 49ers in the end 26-15.

As the Patriots have done relentlessly to their foes in 2013, they scored early with their high-caliber offense. On their opening drive, it only took four plays for the Patriots to get on the board with a signature 70-yard run by Silas Bridges to make the score 7-0. After holding the 49ers to a “three and out,” the Patriots scored on their next possession, this time in only two plays. Bridges romped for 30 yards, behind solid blocking from offensive linemen Luke Hache, Bryson Denby, Joey LaSpada, Robert Parrotta, and Will Carson, but the 49ers held on the point after attempt and the score was 13-0. In the remaining series that closed the half, the 49ers forced a turnover keeping the Patriots out of the end zone and put together decent offensive drives, but they were unable to put any points on the board as the Patriot defense (led by defensive ends Bridges and Bent, linebackers Robert Parrotta, Brian Kenna, and Shazel) held strong.

Bridges recovered a turnover on the second half kickoff and gave the ball to the Patriots on their own 30-yard line. And in a déjà vu moment for the fans, the Patriots scored again in just three plays, as Bridges found pay dirt once again. Full back Kenneth J. Shazel converted the extra point to make the score 20-0. In the next offensive series by the 49ers, Patriot cornerback Matthew Keller intercepted 49er quarterback Nicco Mazzocca’s pass (Keller’s third interception in his last two games) and once again, the Patriots scored three plays later on a great run by tailback Dillon Bent. With a denied point after attempt, the score was 26-0 in the middle of the third quarter. 

During the remainder of the game, the 49ers we able to execute on their game plan and made some headway. On defense, the 49ers were able to limit the offensive production of the Patriots, holding tailbacks Kenna and Parrotta to short gains. On offense, 49ers tailbacks Jack Tousignant and Gabe Salomons both scored using old fashioned grit and downfield blocking by Ava Chabot and her brother Mason to leverage big gains. While Scott LaBranch and Elijah Botnik had a strong day at offensive line, it was Elijah’s successful touches at fullback to end the game that fired up the 49er faithful.  Tousignant scored on a fantastic counter run and conversion to make the score 26-7. The 49ers then punched in another score as Mazzocca connected with Salomons on a well-designed rollout to make the score 26-13. Mazzocca’s two-point passing conversion to Andrew Reicher capped the scoring, as the teams retired with the victory to the Patriots 26-15.

Next week, the Patriots will close out their regular season against the Packers, while the 49ers will move on to face the Giants.  

PONY DIVISION

West Hartford Health and Rehab Wildcats 26 – West Hartford Chargers 6

Week 7 brought the Wildcats and Chargers together to determine which team would earn the number one seed in the East division for the WHYFL playoffs.

The Wildcats received the opening kickoff. They quickly advanced on a drive deep into Charger territory. The determined defense of the Chargers stopped the Cats on their own 15 yard line. Once on offense, the Chargers began to move the ball toward midfield but were quickly stymied by key tackles by Wildcats Chris Chukwura, Cullen McCaffrey and Marcos Cruz. After forcing a Charger punt, Wildcat quarterback Max Main led the team downfield. Aggressive blocks by Ryan Orlowski, Huey Wells and Jimmy Sabia broke Main and David Torres on power runs. The Cats then punched Torres into the end zone for the game’s first score.

On the following possession, the Charges brought the ball to midfield before a 40-yard bolt by Spencer Merkel tied the score at 6-6.

The Wildcats answered quickly driving downfield. This time Max Main capped off the drive with his own 5-yard run for a score ending the half with the Wildcats leading 13-6.

As the second half began, Wildcat John Kirklin pounced on a well-placed kickoff by Brendan Begley resulting in the first turnover of the game. The Cats wasted no time as they then connected on a 45-yard pass from Max Main to Griffin Smith for another Wildcat touchdown to make the score 20-6. The Wildcat surge seemed to take the electricity out of the Chargers attack.

On their next possession, despite valiant play by Chargers Drew Booth, Grant O’Connor, Cameron Wilson and AJ Fair, the Chargers were turned back. This time Wildcats Dario Laraia, Zander Boehm and Nolan Tibball made key tackles thwarting the Charger drive. The Wildcats scored once more bringing the final score to 26-6.

It was a physical game by two determined teams. The Chargers will get a chance at redemption as these two will meet in the first round of the playoffs. Next week the Wildcats (5-1) will play the Ravens (0-6) and the Chargers (4-2) will play the Raiders (1-5).

Wealth Management Group Eagles 26 - Universal Connectivity Raiders 8

The Wealth Management Group Eagles defeated a stingy Universal Connectivity Raiders team 26-8 Sunday afternoon at Sterling Field.

Tariq Allah paced the Eagle offense, scoring three times on runs of 45, 10, and 1 yards. Jeff LaRosa also added a touchdown for the Eagles.

Playing well on offense for the Eagles were Peace Cannon, Anthony Mancini, Justin Searls, and Austin Whittle. Defensive standouts included Aidan Stabnick and Zeus Woods.

The Eagles (3-3) will go on the road next week to face Farmington Maroon (1-5) while the Raiders (1-5) will match up against the Chargers (4-2).

Farmington Black 33 - Beachland Tavern Ravens 0

Farmington Black leveraged a sound ground game and solid defense to turn back the Ravens 33-0 Sunday afternoon.

Farmington Black (4-3) will move on to face Farmington Blue, while the Ravens (0-6) will matchup against the Wildcats (5-1).

Farmington White 27 – Farmington Maroon 14

Farmington White continued their winning ways with a 27-14 victory over Farmington Maroon.