NOVEMBER 4: Brookline Knight's President Joe Nicholas went into Saturday's playoff games at McGibbeny Field with high hopes that all of his football teams would advance to the championship games next week. He came away with two out of three. The Brookline Midgets clobbered Steel Valley 41-0, the Brookline Mitey-Mites also beat Steel Valley 16-6, but top seed White Oak eliminated the Brookline Termites 22-0. Both the Midgets and Mitey-Mites will proceed to the title contests at Swissvale's Dickson Field on November 7 versus Mount Oliver.

In the opening contest, 1st place White Oak (10-1) put a cork on the Brookline Termites (4-6-1) season with a 22-0 whitewash that was a closer game than the score indicated. Coach Macellaro's Termites held on for three quarters while White Oak clung to a precarious 6-0 advantage. Then, in the fourth quarter, White Oak converted two timely interceptions into 16 points to seal the victory. Although their season is over, we'd like to congratulate all of the Termite players and coaches, who rose from the ashes of a 0-4 start to go 4-1-1 and claim a post-season berth.

In the second game, the Brookline Mitey-Mites (8-3) kept their hopes alive with a 16-6 win over the Ironmen of Steel Valley (7-4). The evenly matched teams went head to head in the first half with Brookline holding a slim 8-6 lead. The second half was also a tight contest, until Ross Ventrone broke lose for a touchdown run to make the score 14-6. A successful two-point conversion put the Knights in command. They never looked back. Coach Ventrone and his staff have done a marvelous job with their young Knights, fighting off a mid-season slump and coming on strong at just the right time. These Knights are pumped up and ready to extract revenge from their final opponent, Mount Oliver (8-2-1), who beat the Mites in an early season contest. Mount Oliver beat Swissvale (6-3-2) on Sunday to earn their shot at the title.

In the final contest of the day, the Coach Joe's powerful Brookline Midgets (11-0) toyed with Steel Valley's Ironmen (5-6), in a lopsided 41-0 win. The Midgets deadly offense was led by fullback Jo-Jo Lamonde's four touchdowns (two running and two receiving) and the accurate passing of quarterback Anthony Doria (3 TD's). Receiver Chad Flora caught the third Doria touchdown pass and running back Tim Hamilton accounted for Brookline's sixth score. Repeating the formula they've mastered throughout the year, the Knights offense rode the "Lamonde Express" to an early lead, then watch as the defense shuts down the opponents. Once in command, the offensive scoring machine gingerly marches up and down the field. With the exception of a close 6-0 win at Swissvale in Game 8, that has been the story of the Brookline Blitzkreig that has overwhelmed all in its path.

Lamonde's four touchdowns tied him for the season record of 27 set in 1996 by Raymond "Bubba" Ventrone. Coach Joe and the Knights invite everyone to Dickson Field in Swissvale for next Saturday's title game against Mount Oliver (9-2), who advanced with a victory over Swissvale (8-3) on Sunday. Our Midgets are shooting for their third straight league championship, and from the looks of things, nothing can stop their march to glory.

Gametimes for next Saturday's contests will be 2:00pm for the Mitey-Mites, and approximately 3:30pm for the Midgets. The final Termite game will pit White Oak against Swissvale at 5:00pm. Put on your game faces and take a drive to Swissvale. This year's Midget squad may be the best ever, and the Mitey-Mites are a tough bunch of kids. You don't want to miss the action. Join the Knight's Court and cheer on the pride of Brookline!

Knights Place Three Teams In Playoffs!

OCTOBER 27: For Joe Nicholas, Saturday, October 31, 1998 will mark the culmination of the efforts begun in 1995 when he took command of the Brookline Knights football program. This weekend, for the first time in Joe's four years as Knight's President, all three of his Brookline teams, the Midgets, Mitey-Mites, and Termites will be participating in post-season play. In addition, his two-time defending champion Midgets will be shooting for their fifth straight championship game appearance.

It all begins at 10:00am, at McGibbeny Field in Brookline Park, when the 4th place Brookline Termites (4-5-1) square off against 1st place White Oak (9-1). The Termites shook off their early season difficulties with a strong effort to finish 4th in the league point standings. Coach Maccellaro and his players have their work cut out for them, taking on the top seed, but the Termites have been on a roll and are ready to play.

Game two features two 2nd place teams, the Brookline Mitey-Mites (7-3) and Steel Valley (7-3), in their first round contest. Coach Ray Ventrone and his squad have regained their step, winning their final four games after dropping three straight. Could this be the year for the Mitey-Mites? Most of the 1996 champion Termites are on the roster, and coaches Ventrone, Don Helman, Earl Taylor and Pat Quinn know how to get the most from their players. This should be a great game.

The final contest on the lineup pits Coach Nicholas' powerhouse Brookline Midget squad (10-0) against Steel Valley (5-5) at 1:00pm. The Midgets have rolled over the competition all season long, powered by an offensive juggernaut led by quarterback Anthony Doria, fullback Jo-Jo Lamonde, receiver Chad Flora, and a talented group of lineman manning the trenches. The defense, led by linebacker Ryan Giegucz, have stymied their opposition so far and are ready to draw the curtain shut on Steel Valley. This may be the best all-around Midget team that Brookline has ever put on the field. Along with coaches Brian Nicholas and Frank Makstutis, Coach Joe and his "Green Machine" are ready to rumble!

The road to Camelot begins early Saturday for the young Knights of Brookline. Put your game faces on and come down to the Community Center at 10:00am, October 31, to see the pride of Brookline football as they begin their quest for championship glory.