West Hartford Youth Football – Week Three Game Summaries

Submitted by John LaSpada

The West Hartford Youth Football League (WHYFL) kicked off its third 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

Mooyah (Green) 27 - Joey’s Pizza Pie (Black) 12

The Mooyah flag team faced off against Joey's Pizza Pie on Sunday, with Mooyah coming out on top 27-12. Tyler Hazel led Mooyah with three touchdown carries followed by Dominic Burgos - who scored his first touchdown of the season. Extra point scores were made by Benji Halpert, Dominic Burgos and Cooper Trantraporn.

Jacob Giangreco and Will Gregware accounted for the Joey's Pizza Pie touchdowns. Both Wells Gengras and Luc Abbatemarco made great runs to get open for the pass play, but the quarterback could not deliver - overthrowing them multiple times.

The Sweet Frog Ravens prevailed 24-0 against the Dick’s Sporting Goods team in a battle of two unbeaten flag football teams. Dick’s Sporting Goods started with the ball and had a strong drive to open the game, including Ben Walsh running and catching the ball with Brody Dorian leading the offensive line as center by providing good snaps while blocking down field.  But after crossing mid-field, the Sweet Frog Ravens stopped them with a strong defensive effort.  On their first possession, The Sweet Frog Ravens handed off to Jack Decker who swept wide right around the defender, beat him to the corner and flew down the sidelines and went 60 yards untouched for the game’s first touchdown.  Sweet Frog added two additional touchdowns late in the first half with a rush to the left by Tyler Redden who then followed it with a touchdown catch on the next possession providing an 18-0 lead at half. 

In the second half, the Ravens scored quickly on their second touchdown pass of the year on a great route, catch and run by Chase Hanawalt but then Dick’s Sporting Goods stepped up their defense in the second half with Michael Griffin-Prado and Brady Cersosimo getting multiple tackles each. The Sweet Frog Ravens also took pride in that every team member carried the ball once on offense including the first carries of the season for Christian Ortiz, Gavin Porrino and Griffin Krupp.

West Hartford Firefighters Association (White) 12 - AC Petersons (Blue) 6

The West Hartford Firefighters Association and AC Petersons locked horns for what proved to be the defensive struggle of the weekend. Both the WH Firefighters and AC Peterson's team locked themselves up for much of the game with outstanding tackling and pursuit of the ball.

The game ended 12-6 in favor of the Firefighters with long touchdown runs by Griffin Smith and Quinn Moran. The Firefighter's defensive efforts once again were led by the fearsome threesome of William Keegan, Khalil Shazel and Elijai Joseph on the inside line and Tommy Finley and Burke Reynolds taking on the outside runs.

Macca Plumbing Cowboys 33 - Fischman Orthodontics Browns 21

It was another nice Sunday afternoon as the Cowboys and Browns battled in week 3. The Browns won the coin toss and chose to defer and kicked off to the Cowboys. The Cowboys drove down the field on their opening possession before being forced to punt. The Browns then moved the ball for a couple of first downs before turning the ball over on downs.

The Cowboys were the first to score after a few converted fourth downs and scored on a 15-yard pass from quarterback Jack Kennedy to Jack Correia, Fullback Matt Ganey converted the extra point. The Browns scored on their next possession on a great hard weaving run by tailback Dajaun Banks. The Browns also converted the extra point, and the score stood at 7-7. The Browns intercepted the Cowboys on their next possession but gave the ball back to the Cowboys on a fumble recovered by Ben Woerlen. The Cowboys quickly scored their second touchdown of the game on a quarterback keeper by Kennedy to make the score 13-7 Cowboys. The Browns received the ball with two minutes left in the first half and scored on a long 40-yard run by Banks - his second of the game. They converted the extra point on a quick pass from Brown to Banks to give them a halftime lead 15-13. 

The Browns received the ball to start the second half and converted on a few first downs before turning over the ball on a fumble recovered Declan McCann.  The Cowboys converted the miscue quickly capped off the drive with a 5-yard run by Kennedy up the middle. The extra point was denied, and the score stood at 19-15 Cowboys. The Browns scored on the following possession capped off by a Brown touchdown run. The extra point was denied, and the score was 21-19 Browns. The start of the fourth quarter was marked by a 40-yard weaving touchdown run down the left sideline by Kennedy and extra point was converted to make the score 26-21 Cowboys.  After a Browns fumble on the next possession recovered by McCann (his second of the game), the Cowboys punched their final score on a 19 yard run by Kennedy. 

Standouts for the Cowboys were Walker Disque, Declan McCann, Jack Correia, JP Kennedy, Matt Ganey, Trevor Tanis, Ben Woerlen, and Jack Kennedy.  Browns standouts were Dajuan Banks, Jack Brown and Riley McCoy.  Next week the Cowboys battle the Steeler and the Browns face the Jets. 

Moe’s Southwest Grill Jets 22 – Santoro Construction Steelers 7

The Moe’s Southwest Grille Jets outlasted a tenacious Steelers team to pull out a win 22-7 Sunday afternoon at Sterling Field.

The Jets opened the scoring on the defensive side of the ball as Tommy LaSpada sacked Steelers’ quarterback Jay McNamara in the end zone for a safety to put the Jets up 2-0. Returning from a week off due to injury, Wyatt “Wheels” Reid had a great run on his only carry of the day, dashing 40 yards for the score to put the Jets up 8-0. The Jets converted the extra point and the lead stood at 9-0.

The Jets extended their lead to 15-0 on a solid drive late in the second quarter, anchored by big runs by rookie Chris Mock-Rossi, LaSpada, and DJ Romano. LaSpada capped the drive with a 10-yard touchdown blast and pushed the Jets’ lead to 15-0 at the half. The Steelers defense denied the extra point attempt as tailback Spencer Schwartz was brought down by a host of Steeler defenders.

Jets’ tailbacks Troy Griffith, Ged Gengras, and Spencer Schwartz and rookie quarterback Ryan Smith saw extended playing time in the second half Sunday due to solid practice during the week and great hustle. Gengras busted a 20-yard run in the third quarter, and Griffith and Schwartz each hustled off the line for solid gains in the third quarter.

Brockway later connected with rookie Israel Lopez in stride for a 40-yard scoring strike to push the Jets’ lead to 21-0. Schwartz found the end zone for the rushing conversion to put the Jets up 22-0.

The Jets’ defense was led by DJ Romano, who made several sound form tackles for losses on the afternoon. Jonny Robinson and Joe Sabia also came up big at corner, and rookies Logan Murphy, Walker Beverly, Ryan Bushnell, Charles Wang, and Joey Hassett also had strong days on defense.

The Steelers would not be denied, and launched a furious late fourth quarter drive on the powerful legs of rookie Grant Kanaga, Swift, and McNamara. Swift scored on an electric 30-yard run to pull the Steelers within 22-6, and Ethan Purrino converted the rushing conversion as time expired to close the scoring at 22-7.

Steeler game balls go out to honorary captain Tyler “The Tank” Cavo, Swift, Kanaga, Jay McNamara, Ben Lemieux, Shaun Martin, Jr., Purrino, Hunter, Xavier Burgos, and Ethan Tiffany.

The Jets received solid play from their entire offensive line anchored by Sam Rosa, Thomas Moore, Ryan Bushnell, Charles Dowd, Walker Beverly, Lopez, and Logan Murphy.

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

PEE WEE DIVISION

The Watts Group Giants 21 – JT Ghamo 49ers 12

The Watts Group Giants defeated a pesky 49er squad Sunday afternoon 21-12 to remain unbeaten on the season. 

After fumbling on their opening drive the 49ers were able to rally back and score first with a touchdown early in the first quarter. The drive was led by wingback Jack Tousignant who scampered for a 30-yard run but unfortunately left the game with an injury following that play. Gabe Salomons capped the drive by following his blocking all the way across the goal line to put the 49ers up 6-0.

The Giants overcame a very sluggish start and eventually found their way into the end zone on a Skye Dolce run. Dolce ran over, through and around virtually every 49er defender en route to a 20-yard touchdown. Sean McNamara made a sensational catch on the conversion try to put the Giants up 8-6.

Towards the end of the first half, the 49ers recovered a Giant fumble and were able to turn it into another scoring drive. Another missed attempt at the extra point left the game 12-8 in the 49ers’ favor at the half.

The second half continued excellent back and forth battling as both teams’ defenses would bend but not break.  Josiah Rivers for the 49ers and Skye Dolce for the Giants stymied many offensive attempts to get the outside running game going.

Dan Hussey hit Sean McNamara in stride deep with a beautiful bomb as McNamara waltzed in for the score putting the Gmen up 14-12. The 49ers were unable to move the ball and the Giants took possession of the ball deep in Niner territory. Joe Hussey scored his first career touchdown behind the blocks of Dolce, Damien Thompson and Jayden Carrero to make the final 21-12.

Standing out for the Giants on both sides of the ball were Richie Aponte, “Iron” Mike Mancini, Kevin Tiernan, and Sekope Colon. Joe Hussey also picked off an errant Niner pass.

It was a great game with many players from both sides “leaving it all on the field” including Nicolo Mazzocca, Ava Chabot, Tolu Adetola, Ethan Vest and Zach Martin for the 49ers.

The Giants are off to Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers next week. The 49ers fly to Minnesota to square off against the Vikings.

Sports Authority Colts 26 – Hartford Hospital Rehabilitation Network Vikings 6

The Colts improved their record to 2-1 in Sunday’s victory over a very gritty Viking team. The Colts took the ball on their opening possession down the field and advanced into the red-zone, but a very stingy Viking defense stymied their drive and took over on downs. The Colts answered with equally tough defense and held them leading to a change in possession. This series featured great blocking by the offensive line lead by Joey Dowd and providing daylight for runners Nate Bones and Leo Dioncio. A nifty rollout pass by Colum Flaherty to tight end Tyler Marino was a highlight of this drive as Marino hauled in the pass with Spider-Man like hands. A few plays later, Noah Pryzbek plunged up the middle, for the touchdown to put the Colts up 6-0. The Viking defense denied the extra point attempt.

The Colt defense continued to hold strong with Alex Heath and Sam El-Sharouby penetrating the Viking backfield for losses. The Colts marched down the field again culminating in a touchdown pass into the outstretched arms of Tommy Sullivan in the end zone. Tyler Marino then hauled in a pass from Flaherty bringing the score to 14-0.

The Vikings then came back strong making gains featuring power runs by Namar Gaynor, who took the ball around end to the house closing the gap to 14-6. The Colts denied the extra point attempt. Regaining possession, the Colts were on the move again notching strong off-tackle gains and then Flaherty finished it off diving into the end zone to make the score 20-6.  Emmet Coco took over a quarterback, and lead his team to yet another score by a tough running Pryzbek which closed out the scoring for the day. Coco had completed a precision pass to Sullivan but this was disallowed by penalty. 

The Colts will move on to face the Patriots, while the Vikings will play the 49ers.

Dick’s Sporting Goods Patriots 24 – Brewer Paving Packers 0

The Dick’s Sporting Goods Patriots won a hard fought matchup with the Brewer Paving Packers 24-0 Sunday afternoon in front of a great turnout at Sterling Field.

The Packers received the opening kick and methodically drove up the field behind with pounding runs. Following a few defensive adjustments, the Patriot defense stood tall and forced on a turnover on downs as Kenneth Shazel Jr., Robert Parrotta, Bryson Denby and Joey LaSpada made a great stop on fourth down.

The Patriots responded with a quick four play, 60-yard drive behind Shazel, and halfbacks Silas Bridges and Dillon Bent. Bent capped the drive on a nice run to push the Patriots out in front 6-0. The Packers denied the extra point attempt.

The Packers nearly struck pay dirt on their next drive, but Patriot safety Jacob Torres and linebacker Robert Parrotta forced a turnover to give the Patriots favorable field position. Bridges found the end zone a few plays later on a fantastic run, and the Patriots pushed their lead to 12-0.

The Packers once again mounted a steady drive on their next possession, but Patriot cornerback Carlos Kerrigan-Mock came up with a big turnover to give the Patriots favorable field position. Matt Keller and George Andrews captained the Patriot offense on a steady drive. The Patriots took to the air and Keller connected with halfback Michael Quiros on a nice completion. Bent later capped the drive with his second touchdown to make the score 18-0.

The Packers mounted a steady drive in the fourth quarter but were turned away on downs. Patriot rookie Brian Kenna capped the scoring on a 3-yard touchdown run.

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

The Patriots received outstanding defensive play from Robert Parrotta (who made several big tackles on key downs), Shazel, Bridges, Bent, Kenna, Luke Duzan, Torres, Quiros, and Kerrigan-Mock. Kenna also had a great day on special teams, driving the Packers back with several deep kickoffs, and coming up with big tackles as well.

The Patriots move on to face the Colts, while the Packers will matchup against the 49ers. 

PONY DIVISION

West Hartford Chargers 20 - Wealth Management Group Eagles 0

The Chargers rebounded from their Week 1 loss to Farmington White and defeated the Eagles 20-0 in a bruising game at Sterling field.

The Eagles received the opening kickoff and ripped off three consecutive first downs in their opening possession - taking the ball down to the Chargers’ 30-yard line behind the running of Tariq Allah and Jeff LaRosa. The Chargers defense held strong and Derrick O'Conner intercepted a pass and returned it to the Chargers’ 40-yard line.

On the Chargers first possession, Valentino West went 40 yards around right end to the Eagles 20-yard line and Spencer Merkel went around left end for the 20-yard score. Drew Booth caught a pass over the middle for the two-point conversion and the Chargers led 8-0.

The Eagles took the ensuing kickoff, and rolled up three more first downs, until the Chargers defense once again held strong and held on 4th down and 2 - taking over on the Chargers 30-yard line.

After one first down, the Chargers faced 3rd and nine, when Grant O'Conner threw a 30-yard strike to a slanting A.J. Fair over the middle for a key first down. Two plays later, Drew Booth caught a pass from Grant O'Conner for a 25-yard touchdown putting the Chargers up 14-0 at the half.

The second half started with an onside kick from the Eagles where Brian Flynn made a terrific play to cover the ball for the Chargers. On first down from Chargers 45, Merkel ran around the left end - following the blocking of West – and broke five tackles and scored on a 55-yard run to put the Chargers up 20-0 in the 3rd quarter.

The Eagles continued to pound the ball on both sides of their line with Tariq Allah and Jeff LaRosa producing many 1st downs, but the Charger defense held tight with two interceptions and a fumble recovery to seal the victory over the Eagles 20-0.

The Eagles received great play from Jeff LaRosa, Anthony Mancini, and Matt Marino.

The Chargers will play the Ravens next Sunday at 2 P.M, at Sterling Field, while the Eagles will play Farmington Blue noon at Sterling Field.

Farmington Black 28 - Universal Connectivity Raiders 24

Farmington White held off the Universal Connectivity Raiders 28-24 Sunday afternoon at Sterling Field. Spencer Witter had a touchdown run for the Raiders, and Jayden Shaw added three rushing touchdowns. Jack Moore had an exceptional game running the Raider offense.

Outstanding Players for the Raiders included Mario Volpe, Jack McHale, Jadon Jimenez, Cole Duzan, Kevin Manning, Otis Donaldson, Colby Jones and Miles Reynolds.

The Raiders are off next week with a bye, and Farmington Black will move on to face Farmington White.  

Farmington White defeated the Beachland Tavern Ravens 36-6 Sunday afternoon at Farmington High School.

Next week, Farmington White will matchup against Farmington Black, while the Ravens will move on to face the Chargers.