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1998 turned out to be a magical
year for Coach Ray Ventrone and his Mitey-Mites as they captured
the W.P.M.F.L. championship, the second-ever league title for Brookline's
Mitey-Mite contingent. The Knights finished the season with a 9-3 record,
and their 20-8 thrashing of Mount Oliver in the final was a fitting triumph
for a team many felt was the #1 seed all along.
The season was not without its ups
and downs. After exiting the gate with three straight wins, the Mites hit
upon some rough times. A heart-breaking 10-6 loss to Swissvale followed
by two close defeats left the team 3-3 and searching for an
identity.
Coaches Don Helman, Pat Quinn,
Parris Tsangaris and Earl Taylor never lost faith in the talented boys
under their care, and guided by Coach Ray the team clawed its way out of
the slump and rolled up six consecutive triumphs in route to
championship glory.
With a second championship to
go with their 1996 Termite title, what future awaits these Knights as
they graduate to the Midget ranks? These boys have their eyes on a triple
crown. Midget coaches Joe and Brian Nicholas can't wait, but let's not
dwell on a promising future. Coach Ray and his crew have an entire year
to bask in the glory of their achievement, and they've earned it.
Note: The core group of kids from
this Knight's championship team went on to capture a championship with
the 2000 Midgets to go with their 1996 Termite title, completing what could be refered
to as the Triple Crown of youth football. That's quite an accomplishment
for a great group of kids from Brookline!
1998 Brookline Knights Mitey Mites -
WPMFL Champions
First
Row: Tom Plungin, UNKNOWN,
Robert Robinson, Adam Jumblat, Jason Bialek, Darnell Payne, Ross
Ventrone, Jonathon Chapel, Louis Prince, Matt Jackson, Tom McQuaide,
UNKNOWN.
Second
Row: Steffan Rossetti,
Andrew Robinson, Nate Totino, Justin Blake, C.K. Mayo, Casey Quinn, Matt
Berberich, Nick Tsangaris, UNKNOWN, Chris Tsangaris, Paul
Tondolo.
Third
Row: UNKNOWN, Jeremy
Bock, Josh Niswonger, Julian Morena, E. Bressanelli, Sean Sullivan, Cody
Hoffman, Kevin Flaherty, Geoffrey Giegucz, E.J. Taylor, Michael
Haggerty.
Fourth
Row: Coaches Pat Quinn,
Don Helman, Ray Ventrone and Parris Tsangaris.
Game-By-Game Summary |
Some
photos from the Playoff game.
* October 31, 1998 *
Photo 1 <> Photo
2 <> Photo 3
Some
photos from the Championship game.
* November 7, 1998 *
Photo 5 <> Photo
6 <> Photo 7 <> Photo
8 <> Photo 9 <> Photo
10
The Cheerleaders
Nicole Nicholas, Dara Varady, Gabriella Vachino,
Dana Masullo, Ashley Haggerty, Krystle Collavo, Amanda Sero, Jessica Gozur, Jamie Nicholas,
Lindsay Nelson, Kimberly Drischler, Laura Smith, Kristy Tondolo, Shauna
McDaniels, Megan Mandarino and Lindsey DeCarlo.
* Photos courtesy
of Barbara Giegucz and Joy Sero * |
