Scores and highlights of games played Oct. 18-19, 2014.
Submitted by the West Hartford Youth Football League
West Hartford Youth Football League, Week 7. Photo credit: Scott Caricato, Rookie Pix.
PONY DIVISION
Brewer Paving Eagles 16 – West Hartford Health & Rehab Raiders 13
The Eagles defeated the Raiders 16-13 in a battle of the unbeaten to wrap up the regular season in Pony Division play. The Eagles finished up regular season play at 7-0 while the Raiders fell to 6-1. It was a hard fought battle with both teams bringing big lines, team speed and hard hits.
The Raiders’ Jack McHale started off the game with a perfectly executed onside kick that was recovered by the Raiders. The Raiders then marched down the field and scored on a 30 yard run by McHale. The extra point attempt was no good giving the Raiders a 6-0 lead. The Eagles offense had a tough time getting going against the big Raiders line and turned the ball over on downs. Both teams struggled to get any big plays going and exchanged turnovers. The Raiders would get on the board again on a 2-yard touchdown run by Silas Bridges after a long drive got them in striking distance. The point after run was good and the Raiders were now up 13-0 and had the Eagles reeling.
The Eagles started their next drive at mid field with only minutes before the half and got their offense in gear. QB Jeff LaRosa and running back Anthony Palace started to gain positive yards on the ground for the Eagles. With 4th down from the 19 yard line, LaRosa hit WR AJ Guevera on a short pass that Guevera took to the end zone for a score. LaRosa then hit Guevara again on a pass for the two-point conversion to get the Eagles to 13-8.
Guevera then recovered his first of two fumble on the Raiders next possession. Palace went to work ripping off big gains to get the ball to the Raiders 15 where QB LaRosa took it up the middle for a 15 yard touchdown run. LaRosa went back to reliable Guevera on the pass for another two-point conversion to give the Eagles a 16-13 lead.
The end of the 3rd quarter and entire 4th quarter were tense as both teams worked to move the ball but were hampered by turnovers. In the 4th quarter, the Eagles Rodrigo Munoz had several big runs to gain first downs as the Eagles moved to mid field. Todd Crevedi and Miles Sierra also had positive yard gains. The Eagles turned the ball over and the Raiders took over at midfield for one final drive. Several pass attempts fell short as the Eagles defensive line put pressure on Raider’s QB Zack Cohen and the Eagles held on for the win. For the Eagles, Zues Woods and Alex Searles came up with big defensive stops late in the game. Both teams play again this weekend in the playoffs with the Eagles matching up with the Chargers at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday at Conard High School while the Raiders play the Wildcats at 6:30 p.m. at Conard.
Northstar Wealth Partners Wildcats 12 – West Hartford Chargers 12
Football weather arrived as the Wildcats took on the Chargers on a cool, blustery fall afternoon.
The Chargers received the opening kickoff and started from the Charger 45-yd line. The ‘Cats were rewarded for an early goal line stand by a turn over on downs at their 3 yard line. The Wildcats put together a sustained long drive back up the field, but handed the ball to the Chargers as the quarter ended in a scoreless tie.
On the first play of the second quarter, the Chargers ran it 45 yards on a left sweep for a touchdown. The ‘Cats made a tackle in the backfield to deny the extra point. After the ensuing kickoff, the ‘Cats controlled the ball up the field to the Chargers’ 23 but could get no closer.
It didn’t take long for the Chargers to take advantage, as they scored again on a long run to bring the score to 12-0 with 24 seconds left in the first half.
The Wildcats’ offensive front of Dean Edwards, Gavin Baker, Zander Boehm, Dario Laraia, Jimmy Sabia and Owen Scigulinsky began the second half with great team blocking downfield, culminating in a long run by Daquan Shaw, who dragged four defenders for an extra 10 yards to the Chargers 15, and then punched it in for the Wildcats first score. Nolan Tibball picked up the extra point on the ground and the lead was narrowed to 12-7 Chargers.
The Chargers threatened on the ensuing possession, but another awesome goal line stand by the Wildcats held the Chargers and returned the ball to the Wildcats at their 10 yard line.
The gritty offensive line of the Wildcats opened hole after hole for Daquan and Nolan, as they marched up the field for another score by Daquan, and a two point conversion from Dean to Jimmy to give the Wildcats the lead at 15-12 with 6:33 to go in the third quarter.
Dean and George Andrews combined to strip the ball from the Chargers on the next possession, and Daquan wasted no time running up the middle for 25 yards and another score, putting the game out of reach with less than 4 minutes left. Final score Wildcats 21, Chargers 12.
Notable performances: Daquan Shaw – 3 TD’s, 175 yards rushing, 3 solo tackles, 1 assist; Dario Laraia – 5 solo tackles, 4 assists; Nolan Tibball – 49 yards rushing, 4 solo tackles, 1 assist; Hughie Wells – 29 yards rushing, 3 solo tackles, 4 assists; Jimmy Sabia – 3 solo tackles; Nathan Bones – 3 solo tackles; Wil Carson falling on onside kick.
The #3 seed Wildcats play the #2 seed Raiders next week at 6:30 p.m. at Conard High School, while the # 4 seed Chargers will play the #1 seed Eagles at 4:30 p.m. at Conard High School.
Farmington A Squad Blue 41 – Farmington A Squad Black 26
Farmington A Squad Blue improved to 3-4 on the season with a hard fought 41-26 victory over Farmington A Squad Black Sunday afternoon at Farmington High School.
Next week, the #1 seed Farmington A Squad Blue will matchup against #4 seed A Squad Maroon, while #2 seeded A Squad Black will play #3 seed A Squad White.
PEE WEE DIVISION
The Watts Group Giants 7 – Sports Authority Colts 0
The Watts Group Giants improved to 5-2 on the season with a hard fought 7-0 victory over the Sports Authority Colts Sunday afternoon at Sterling Field.
The #3 seed Giants will open the playoffs against the #2 seed 49ers, while the #4 seed Colts will face the #1 seed Patriots.
Dick’s Sporting Goods Patriots 28 – Hartford Healthcare 49ers 13
The Dick’s Sporting Goods Patriots leveraged a solid ground game and tough defense en route to a well-played and hard fought 28-13 victory over the Hartford Healthcare 49ers in front of a packed sideline Sunday afternoon at Sterling Field.
The Patriots’ offense was led by a bevy of ball carriers, including Dillon Bent, Robert Parrotta, Luke Duzan, Logan Murphy, and Tommy LaSpada.
The 49ers were led by the dual threats of Divine Edwards on the ground, and the sharp eye and strong arm of quarterback Matt Schwab.
The 49ers received the opening kickoff and Josiah Rivers returned it 20 yards to give his team favorable field position to open the game. The Patriots’ defense held, and forced the 49ers to turn the ball over on downs. Five plays later, Bent followed the lead blocks of half backs Duzan and Parrotta en route to a 50-yard score to push the Patriots out to an early 6-0 lead. Quarterback Jack Brown connected with Tommy LaSpada for the two point conversion to make it 8-0 early.
After exchanging offensive jabs, the 49ers executed a counter to perfection, as Edwards sprinted 60-yards for the score to narrow the gap to 8-6. Linebacker DJ Romano intercepted Schwab’s extra point conversion.
Four plays later, the Patriots extended their lead to 14-6 as Bent notched his second score of the day on a fantastic run up the middle. The 49ers thwarted the extra point conversion.
The teams exchanged scores late in the 2nd quarter, as Schwab connected with tight end Andrew Reicher on a fantastic 65-yard score to narrow the gap to 14-13. Following an attempted on sides kick, the Patriots scored two plays later, as Duzan rushed 25 yards for the score to extend the Patriots lead to 20-13. Logan Murphy converted the extra point to make it 21-13 Patriots at the half.
The Patriots received the second half kickoff and methodically moved the ball down the field on solid gains by Parrotta, Bent, Murphy, and Duzan. Bent punched it in from three yards out to extend the Patriots lead to 27-13. Murphy’s rushing conversion made the score 28-13 Patriots.
The 49ers would not relent and continued to methodically move the ball down the field on gains by Edwards, Urso, Schwab and Rivers. The 49ers moved the ball down to the 5-yard line late in the game, and faced a key 4th down, but Patriot cornerback Ethan Tiffany stepped in front of Schwab’s pass for the interception to help seal the victory for the Patriots.
The Patriots received outstanding defensive play from Parrotta (fumble recovery and several big tackles on key downs), Bent (forced fumble), Luke Duzan (sack), DJ Romano (sack and interception), Tommy LaSpada (fumble recovery, and several big receptions) Brockway (fumble recovery), Beverly, Joey LaSpada, Maldonado (great stop on 4th down), Swift (forced fumble and excellent defense), Aidan Dorian, Murphy, and newcomers Abraham Dunn and Daniel Chavez.
The 49ers were led by Schwab, Edwards, Nick Urso, Reicher, Marcus Ramsey, and Scott LeBranch.
The #1 seed Patriots will open the playoffs next weekend against the #4 seed Colts, while the #2 seed 49ers will matchup against the #3 seed Giants.
Farmington B Squad Black 27 – Farmington B Squad Blue 20
Farmington B Squad Black defeated B Squad Blue 27-20 Sunday afternoon at Farmington High School.
Next week, the #2 seed B Squad Black will open the playoffs against #3 seed B Squad Blue.
Farmington B Squad Maroon 27 – Farmington B Squad White 6
Farmington B Squad Maroon defeated B Squad White 27-6 Sunday afternoon at Farmington High School.
Next week, the #1 seed B Squad Maroon will open the playoffs against #4 seed B Squad White.
MIGHTY MITE DIVISION
Macca Plumbing Cowboys 31 – Doctors Express Urgent Care Steelers 0
The Macca Plumbing Cowboys wrapped up the regular season with a victory over the Doctors Express Urgent Care Steelers.
Cowboys offensive standouts were Chase Fountain (2 TD), Declan McCann (2 TD), Jack Archambeault (1 TD), Walker Disque (conversion) and a team effort of blocking by Bruce and Luke Jones, Nathaniel Corona, Brayden Sohn, CJ Nelson, Trevor Tanis, and Jaime Kennedy. The Cowboys defensive standouts were Trevor Tanis, Jaime Kennedy, Walker Disque, Chase Fountain, Rashad Collier, Brian Acevedo, and Tyler Walsh.
Next weekend the top seeded Cowboys will matchup against the #4 seed Jets in the first round of the playoffs, while the #2 seed Steelers will play the #3 seed Browns at Sterling Field.
Fischman Orthodontics Browns 13 – Beachland Tavern Jets 8
Matt Farber scored with four minutes left in the fourth quarter to lift the Fischman Orthodontics Browns to a hard fought 13-8 victory over the Beachland Tavern Jets Saturday night at Conard High School.
The Browns opened the scoring on a Barry Sanders-like run from Farber to make the score 7-0. The Jets opened the second half with a furious drive down to the 1-yard line, and were stopped on downs. The Browns took possession, and the Jets defense held strong, notching a safety on the Browns second play from scrimmage to make the score 7-2. On the ensuing drive, the Jets mixed in a series of nice runs by Jonny “football” Robinson, Spencer Schwartz, and Ged Gegras, before Schwartz punched it in to make the score 8-7 Jets.
The Browns responded with a late fourth quarter rally on nice runs by Mason Wright, Michael Parizo, and Farber to move the ball down field to setup Farber’s go ahead score.
Next week, the #4 seeded Browns will open the playoffs against the #2 seed Steelers, while the #4 seeded Jets will matchup against the #1 seeded Cowboys.
Farmington C Squad Black 20 – Farmington C Squad Maroon 18
Farmington C Squad Black improved to 5-2 on the season with a hard fought 20-18 victory over Farmington C Squad Maroon Sunday afternoon.
Next week, C Squad Black will open the playoffs with an opening round matchup against C Squad Maroon.
FLAG DIVISION
Sweet Frog (Purple) 24 – Joey’s Pizza Pie (Black) 12
Joey’s pizza came out hot and fresh from the oven and stopped the Ravens on their first four downs. Then, they proceeded to put six points on the board to start the game with a great catch over the middle and run by Wells Gengras. Aidin Bailey made a great flag grab that put Joey’s in a pinch on second down but Joey’s responded.
The scoring ping ponged back and forth with the Ravens coming out on top by a score of 24-12.
The Ravens knew they needed to answer as well as Seamus Eagan started of the attack with a great run for 15 yards. Then Tyler Redden caught the first pass for the day with a 60 yard scamper to the house. Joey’s was not finished as they responded with a solid attack but were foiled by another Aidin Bailey flag grab to turn the ball back over to the Ravens.
Griffin Krupp snatched a rope on a seam route that sparked his run to the 5.This set up Gavin Cykley 5 yard gash into the end zone to put the Ravens up 12-6. The extra point came inches from the goal line by Cal Farrell on a determined run. Now the ball was in the other court as Joey’s Anthony McKeown screamed down the sideline after snagging the crossing route to tie up the game 12-12.
The Ravens with pure intention in mind, struck back with a Soly Levy run that zigged and zagged across the field. This sparked Ben Goldstein’s long, rambling run for another 6 points. The Ravens finished off the scoring as Krupp, again, rumbled down the sideline to put the score at 24-12.Cristian Ortiz blasted up the middle for the extra point falling short.
There was outstanding efforts made by both teams as Maddox Dandrea caught a 35 yard pass and Anthony Guzman flashed left and right for a 30 yard run. It was a team effort for the Ravens as there were great efforts by Jullian House, Cole Keegan, Calvin Borio and Grady Sack.
AC Petersen (Blue) 26 – Dick’s Sporting Goods (Red) 7
AC Petersen (Blue) improved to 5-2 on the season with a hard fought 26-7 victory over Dick’s Sporting Goods (Red) Sunday afternoon at Sterling Field.
Next week, AC Petersen’s will wrap up the 2014 season against Fresh Ink (Orange), while Dick’s Sporting Goods will play Sweet Frog (Purple).
Mooyah (Green) 14 – Fresh Ink (Orange) 12
Mooyah (Green) improved to 6-1 on the season with a hard fought 14-12 victory over Fresh Ink (Orange) Sunday afternoon at Sterling Field.
Next week, Mooyah will wrap up the 2014 season against Joey’s Pizza Pie (Black), while Fresh Ink (Orange) will play AC Petersens (Blue).
West Hartford Youth Football League, Week 7. Photo credit: Scott Caricato, Rookie Pix.
