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The 1996 Brookline Knights Midget
team joined their little Termite brothers as champions of the
Western Pennsylvania Youth Football League. Under the direction of
coaches Brian and Joe Nicholas, and led by running back Raymond "Bubbba"
Ventrone's team-record 27 touchdowns, the Knights ended the season undefeated
with a spotless 10-0 record.
After finishing runners-up in 1994
and 1995, the 1996 team proved that the third time is a charm as they
took on a strong Fort Cherry team in the finale and came away with the
second Midget title in the 22-year history of Brookline Knights
football.
For the Nicholas brothers, it was
their third championship appearance in as many years as the Knights
coaches, and for second-year association president Joe, a first taste
of honey as "the General."
After an opening day victory at
Fort Cherry, the Knights machine rolled on unscathed through the eight
game regular season. In addition to Ventrone's TD parade, quarterback
Bruce Gradkowski called upon running back Brandon Cheatam and tight end
Sam Suska to round off a potent Knight's offense.
Brookline's stingy defense was
led by tackle C.J. Heidenreich, defensive end Pat Droney, nosetackle
Assamee Asad and linebackers Suska and Cheatam.
With several promising players
returning for the 1997 season, it looks as though the Brookline Midgets
will be a force to be reckoned with as Coaches Nicholas and Nicholas
begin preparation for their third year at the helm.
1996 Brookline Knights
Midgets - WPYFL Champions
Coaches - Brian
Nicholas, Joe Nicholas, Ray Ventrone.
Equipment Manager - "Pops" Lamonde. |
