Pelham/Windham’s Junior Pee Wees head to national championship

Salem Editor — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 02:15:00 GMT

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Pelham/Windham Razorbacks’ stifling defense stopped the Connecticut champs cold in a 20-0 win that delivered the Junior Pee Wee squad the American Youth Football League’s New England crown.

With the victory on Nov. 22, the Razorbacks head to Orlando, Fla., for a chance at the AYF’s national title. That tournament takes place Dec. 6 through 12.

Both Pelham/Windham and the New Britain Raiders entered the contest with 11- 0 marks, but the Razorbacks jumped ahead, 2-0, on Zach Masiello’s safety. That play set the tone on a bone-chilling day at Bryant University’s frozen field in Rhode Island.

The Pelham/Windham offense then heated up, with linemen Mitch Hullihen, Masiello, Jack Harrington, Nick DeCarolis, Josh Gallagher and Ryan Cloutier pushing New Britain’s defense around. Ultimately, Kurtis Jolicoeur broke through for a touchdown, and the Razorbacks took an 8-0 lead into intermission.

If anything, the defense, which has yet to allow more than one touchdown in a game, improved in the second half. New Britain had trouble recording a first down as defensive end Joe Frake handled the Raiders’ outside ground game, and pressure from Kevin Anderson, Michael Goglia, Gallagher and Harrington denied New Britain’s attempts to pound the ball up the middle. Frustrated, Connecticut’s best tried to pass the ball, but safety Kellin Bail’s interception thwarted that route as well.

P/W quarterback Brendan McInnis and running back Bail handled the ball well on a subsequent drive. Jolicoeur bulled his way to a second score after a McInnis-to-Frake pass play drew an interference penalty, giving the locals a first-and-goal. On the ensuing kickoff, Pelham/Windham put the contest out of reach when Goglia caused a fumble that kicker Bail pounced on at New Britain’s 12-yard line. Two plays later, McInnis bounced off two defenders and stretched to reach the end zone, capping the scoring.

Game notes

Harrington’s hard-nosed running helped the team control the clock in the fourth quarter. Brendan Mullen aided the offense with his strong blocking on Jolicoeur’s 40-yard jaunt early in the game.

Windham News : football

Pelham/Windham’s Junior Pee Wees head to national championship