West Hartford Youth Football League Wrap-Ups for Week Ending October 16

Sunday, Oct. 16 was not an ordinary day as teams took to the field for their games at Sterling Field.

There was a decidedly pink aura as the West Hartford Youth Football League held their "Pink Out" day for breast cancer awareness.

All players were issued pink ribbon stickers which adorned their helmets for the day. Pink merchandise was for sale at the concession stand, and donations were also accepted. More than $1,500 was raised for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, according to WHYFL board member Bob Macca.

The teams even held a "Best Dressed Pink" competition, which ended in a tie between the Eagles (adorned in specially-ordered pink jerseys) and the Cowboys (pink tape on all of the cleats, thanks to the hard work of several team moms).

Thanks to the coaches who provided the scores and write-ups, and thanks to Scott Caricato from Rookie Pix for supplying the photos. Parents and fans – please feel free to add your own photos to the gallery.

Pee Wee Division:

Stratton Faxon Colts 21 – Packers 12

Reeling from a tough loss to the Vikings last week and facing an undefeated Packers team today, the Stratton Faxon Pee Wee Colts needed to play their best football of the year to right the ship. And they delivered exactly what was needed. To a man, each and every Colts player played their best game of the year in an inspired and impressive performance against a highly regarded Packers team. The Packers won the toss and elected to receive. The Packers swiftly marched the ball down the field, but the Colts forced and recovered a Packers fumble deep in their own territory to prevent a score. The Colts got on the score board first when, in a short yardage situation in their own territory, quarterback Jack Moore ran to daylight on a QB keeper and crossed the goal line 35 yards later. The Packers controlled the remained of the first half scoring on both a long pass and a long run. The Colts defense denied both Packers extra point attempts. Tom Cullen crashed into the backfield on the second attempt to sack the quarterback and deny the extra point pass.

The second half of the game belonged to the Colts. The Colts took the second half and methodically marched the ball down the field with a pounding ground attack. Dean Edwards lead the charge with several hard runs up the middle for key yards. The drive was capped with a nifty play action pass from Jack Moore to Tight End Spencer Witter for a touchdown. Moore then converted the extra point with a determined run up the middle to make the score 13-12 Colts. The Colts offense did it again later in the third quarter, marching the ball downfield with a power running game. After Running Back Andrew Lagoy put the ball inside the one yard line with a tough run up the middle, Moore punched it into the end zone the very next play. Moore then found Witter in the back of the end zone for the 2-point conversion and it was 21-12 Colts. As well as the Colts offense played in the second half, the Colts’ defense was even better. Led by Justin Surowiec, Spencer Witter, Jack Moore, and Dean Edwards, the Colts completely neutralized the high-powered Packers offense. Surowiec made several outstanding tackles and Edwards roamed the field from sideline to sideline making tackles. Safety Leo Dionicio broke up a long Packers pass play just as the Packers were trying to mount a comeback. Colts player of the game award goes to the entire Colts offense line including Justin Surowiec, Josh Kennedy, Kyle Bridgman, Shane Cunningham and Jadon Jimenez. Augie Johnson and Thomas Cullen also played admirably on the line. The Colts earned a well-deserved bye week before finishing the regular season with a game against the Patriots.

Venora Electric Vikings 28 – 49ers 19

In week five of the WHYFL season, the Venora Electric Vikings found themselves trading touchdowns with a relentless 49er team. The Vikings struck early in the first quarter as their offense slammed their way down the field until Matthew Langevin ended the drive with a 2-yard QB sneak into the end zone. Langevin brushed himself off and then connected with Cameron Silver for the two-point extra conversion. On their 2nd procession, the 49ers would answer the Vikings with a touchdown and extra point of their own. The Vikings quickly went back to work as their offense fired off and guided Cameron Silver into the end zone on a 38-yard sprint. Silver would catch a well-thrown pass from Langevin for the two-point conversion. On two occasions, the Vikings were able to regain possession of the ball as Sean Clifford and George Stoughton ended two 49ers drives after recovering fumbles. The 49ers would keep chase after the Vikings and score again. However, this time the mighty Vikings would not allow the extra point.  The Vikings next drive would be a combination of big runs by Tyler Marino, Sean Clifford, Christopher LaMarco and Alex Dobbins. Matt Langevin would once again end the drive with a QB sneak. The first half of play would come to an end as the two battle-weary teams left the field with the Vikings up, 22 to 13.

The Vikings started the third quarter of play much like they did in the first half. The powerful Vikings offensive line consisting of Michael Pollack, Neil Gustafson, Griffin Van Rye, Angus McDonald and Tim Cotter pushed, creating huge holes for the Vikings backs. Once deep in 49er territory and on a Vikings fumbled play, fullback Alex Dobbins fell on the ball in the 49ers end zone. The Vikings defense stepped it up a notch in the second half by halting two of the 49ers second-half drives. The Vikings defensive line led by Brock Pizzoferrato, George Stoughton, Tim Cotter and Angus McDonald stood strong as the defensive secondary consisting of Christian St. Juste, Alex Guevara and Ryan Venora fearlessly backed them up. The Vikings win was aided by the sure footedness of Sean Guevara as he was often called up for duty to onside kick and kick away on the special teams kickoff squad. The last score of the game would come from the 49ers, but once again the Vikings would deny them the extra point. The Venora Electric Vikings would like to thank the 49ers for a great game.

Midget Division:

West Hartford Rotary Club Midget Raiders 12 – Wildcats 36

The score may not show it, but the Raiders played a solid defensive game. The Raider defense was once again led by Evan Duzan and Declan Flaherty. Flaherty was in on every tackle with several behind the Wildcats line of scrimmage. Duzan fought double teams on the defensive line, but was able to penetrate across the ball at will. Silas Rivers performed well on defense from his linebacker position. The offense had a slow start this week, but had long runs from Jonathan Lagoy, the slim and slender Raider rocket. Lagoy was given a clear path by solid blocks from Sean Keating who cleared the runway for “Air-Lagoy” to take off. Rivers also had a few runs blocking from Joseph Morrissey. Morrissey ran the ball as well for positive yards behind blocking from Duzan, Connor Thomas and Any Le. Scores for the Raiders came from Flaherty on a short run. Flaherty also connected with Alex Haggerty on a bomb which the offensive line gave Flaherty time to throw.

Outstanding players of the game: Declan Flaherty, Evan Duzan, Alex Haggerty, Joseph Morrissey, Connor Thomas, Silas Rivers, Sean Keating, and Andy Le.

Pony Division:

Colt Defense LLC Pony Raiders 6 – Wildcats 29

The Raiders suffered their second loss of the season to the Wildcats. However, the Raiders fought the entire game on every single play. Kyle Pena-Green led the team on defense with several tackles in the Wildcats backfield. Cameryn Maynard and Isiah Cintron also had great defensive plays for loss yardage. Jordan Baker and Torrie Green performed well on defense at D-line and Defensive back, respectively. On offense the Raiders had to lean on their power running game after losing their quarterback and captain to injury. Pena-Green and Throy Brown both ran hard and low behind their blockers. Brown had several punishing runs up the middle and off tackle. In the fourth quarter, Sequan Small scored the only touchdown for the Raiders. Small broke tackles and bounce his run to the outside before diving for the goal line. Maynard led the offense as the backup quarterback.

Outstanding players of the game: Cameryn Maynard, Jordan Baker, Kyle Pena-Green, Throy Brown, Torrie Green, William Dicke, Giovanni Garcia, Sequan Small, and Austin Sheridan.