* 8-Under * 9-Under * 10-Under * 11-Under * 13-Under *
* the 13-Under team played
their final regular season game *
WEEK #9 - October 19, 2013 - SSYFL OPENING ROUND PLAYOFFS
8-UNDER @ Ross Elementary
BROOKLINE 30 - West Mifflin 6
Scoring Summary:
A'Mirre Brown 79 run (conversion failed)
Keshawn Harris 48 run (Racari El run)
Keshawn Harris 4 run (Will Coleman run)
Keshawn Harris 46 run (Racari El run)
Fumble Recovery: Keshawn Harris, David Reed, Anthony Herisko
NOTES: Brookline's eight-year olds traveled to North Hills Ross
Elementary Field for their first-round playoff game against the
West Mifflin Titans. Led by the running of Keshawn Harris and
A'Mirre Brown, and a strong defensive effort, Brookline earned
a 30-6 victory and a trip to next week's Semi-Finals.
Brookline opened the scoring at 3:46 of the first quarter when
Brown broke loose and led the Titan defenders on a seventy-nine
yard chase to the endzone. Harris added another six points with
a forty-eight yard touchdown run at the two minute mark in the
half. Racari El's conversion run gave Brookline a 14-0 lead.
The Knights scored again midway through the third period, when
Harris capped off a long drive with a four yard burst up the
middle. Will Coleman's conversion dash around the left side put
Brookline on top 22-0. Coleman stopped the Titan's next effort
with a near interception on fourth down.
On the next play, Harris ignited the crowd with a thirty-three
yard touchdown run, but the play was called back on a penalty.
Another penalty followed. Still first down, Harris settled the
matter by breaking free on a forty-six yard run and his third
touchdown of the morning. Racari El added his second two-point
run to increase the Knight tally to thirty.
West Mifflin got on the board to begin the fourth quarter with
a sixty-one yard scoring run. A David Reed fumble recovery on
the conversion attempt kept the damage to only six points. A
promising Knight drive on the next series fizzled at the Titan
sixteen. Brown actually scored a touchdown with a twenty-six
yard dash, but his effort was negated by a holding call.
West Mifflin threatened one last time late in the game when a
Titan runner cleared the pack and scampered thirty-seven yards
downfield. A fine come-from-behind tackle by Geno Spadafora
saved a sure score. This final Titan drive ended with an
Anthony Herisko fumble recovery. The final score: 30-6.
By the numbers, Brookline gained 337 yards on offense, with
330 coming on thirty-two running plays. Knight rushers include
Harris 14/182, Brown 6/128, Coleman 5/8, El 5/8, Spadafora 1/5,
and Jaimeer Williams 1/1. Spadafora caught the only Brookline
pass for another seven yards. The Knights were penalized five
times for forty-five yards and registered six first downs.
West Mifflin gained 136 total yards. They rushed twenty-nine
times for 131 and completed one pass for an additional five.
The Titans were penalized only once and had five first downs.
The entire Brookline defense played a great game. Knights who
made key tackles were Quinnie Walker, Tyler Oliverio, Pacey
Daniels, David Reed, Harris, Coleman and Spadafora.
Brookline has never had an eight year old team advance to the
SSYFL Super Bowl. This squad is equipped with the necessary
tools to accomplish that task. It's going to take more hard
work and gritty determination to make the dream a reality.
Let's go Knights!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WEEK #9 - October 19, 2013 - SSYFL OPENING ROUND PLAYOFFS
9-UNDER @ Thomas-Jefferson High School
Thomas-Jefferson 24 - BROOKLINE 14
Scoring Summary:
Zaire Nelson 16 run (conversion failed)
Brandon Pezzelle 3 run (Pezzelle run)
Fumble Recovery: Jacob Davis, John Bruecken
NOTES: The Brookline Nines traveled to Thomas-Jefferson High
School for their opening round SSYFL playoff game against the
Thomas-Jefferson Jaguars. On a chilly autumn morning, the Jags
24-14 victory brought a sudden end to the Knights 2013 season.
Whether it was the weather or just a one of those strange days,
the Knights offense never seemed to get their game in gear and
the defense struggled to hold back the Jaguar attack. It was as
though the bitter chill had cooled their engines. By the time
Brookline had warmed to the challenge it was too late.
The first quarter was played to a scoreless tie as each team
battled to a standstill near midfield. The second quarter saw
the Knights begin a nice drive across midfield and deep into
Jaguar territory. A sixteen yard touchdown run by Zaire Nelson
put Brookline on the board with a 6-0 lead.
Thomas-Jefferson countered immediately by returning the ensuing
kickoff back to tie the score. A good conversion put the Jags
ahead 8-6. After pinning the Knights deep in their own zone, a
botched punt put the ball back in Jaguar paws with great field
position. They capitalized on their good fortune with another
eight points to take a 16-6 advantage into the halftime break.
Jacob Davis took the second half kickoff and returned it across
midfield. Davis followed up with an eleven yard run for a first
down. The Brookline drive stalled inside the Jaguar forty yard
line and the ball changed sides. Thomas-Jefferson proceeded to
mount a nine minute march that ended with a one yard touchdown
plunge, followed by a good conversion pass and a 24-6 lead.
The Knight offense answered with a fourth quarter scoring drive
of their own. Brookline rode the legs of Nelson and Davis on a
final foray into Jaguar territory. A forty yard dash down the
sideline by Nelson was the key play in the series, which ended
with a three yard burst by quarterback Brandon Pezzelle. Then,
on a broken pass play to the left, Pezzelle reversed field and
dashed around the right side for the two-point conversion to
make the score 24-14.
The Jaguars threatened once again late in the game, driving to
the Brookline two yard line. With one minute to go, a Jaguar
fumble was recovered by John Bruecken to bring a hearty cheer
from the Brookline fans.
In the final seconds, some fancy backfield running by Nelson
turned a sure safety into a five yard gain, and a seven yard
pass to Tristin Christe was the last play of Brookline's 2013
season. The Knights finished the campaign with a 3-5 record.
For the Knights legendary Coach Joe Nicholas, this could very
well be the last game in his twenty-one year tenure with the
Brookline program. It would have been nice to see Coach Joe go
out with a win, but let there be no mistake about it, this man
is, and always will be, a winner. The same can be said for the
countless children who have benefited from his wisdom and
guidance over the past two decades.
 
 
 
 
 
 
WEEK #9 - October 20, 2013 - SSYFL OPENING ROUND PLAYOFFS
10-UNDER @ West Allegheny High School
BROOKLINE 44 - West Allegheny 12
Scoring Summary:
Jamyle Liebro 55 run (conversion failed)
Jamyle Liebro 48 run (Visawn Pennix run)
Raeshawn Caldwell 42 run (Visawn Pennix run)
Jamyle Liebro 35 run (conversion failed)
Raeshawn Caldwell 20 run (Grant Hamilton run)
Antwan Peterson 4 run (Antwain Carter run)
Fumble Recovery: Andrew Cagey, Zachary Kalsek, Michael Jackson
Interception: Antwain Carter
NOTES: The Brookline Knights met the West Allegheny Indians in
the first round of the SSYFL playoffs and came away with a big
44-12 victory to advance to next week's Semi-Finals. Brookline
overwhelmed the Indians with a frenzy of offensive production
and a punishing defense that left them battered and bruised.
Jamyle Liebro had another outstanding game running the ball.
Liebro's three first half touchdowns, accompanied by a fourth
score from Raeshawn Caldwell and two conversion runs by Visawn
Pennix, staked the Knights to a 28-12 first half lead.
Pennix returned the second half kickoff fifty-four yards to the
Indian six yard line. Quarterback Grant Hamilton then ran the
ball into the endzone for another touchdown, but his effort was
negated by a penalty. Caldwell made good on that with a twenty
yard dash to the goal. Hamilton's conversion run made it 36-12.
Antwan Peterson finished the Knight scoring parade by leading
the reserve offense on a long fourth quarter drive. Peterson's
four yard run, along with Antwain Carter's two-pointer, set the
final score at 44-12.
It was a great game for the Knight offensive unit, which drove
up and down the field behind the backs of the forward linemen.
The defense, which played a sloppy first half, recovered and
was dominant in the second, hitting hard and proving that it
is a force to be reckoned with.
Led by Mekhi Gay, the Knights defenders launched a sack attack
against the Indians. Gay, Carter and Caldwell each had several
backfield takedowns. Zachary Kalsek and Nathaniel Wilson also
registered tackles for losses. Carter and Michael Jackson both
forced fumbles that led to Brookline takeaways.
Next weekend, the 7-1 Knights head into the semi-final round,
eager for an opportunity to earn a return trip to the SSYFL
Super Bowl. Coach Bruce's motto for this year has been to take
care of "unfinished business." Let's continue to work hard and
make good on that mission statement.
WEEK #9 - October 20, 2013 - SSYFL OPENING ROUND PLAYOFFS
11-UNDER @ West Allegheny High School
BROOKLINE 30 - West Mifflin 6
Scoring Summary:
Mason Ventrone 64 run (Marques Watson run)
Jonathan Morin 30 run (Aidan Logan pass from Nick Roell)
Mason Ventrone 26 pass from Nick Roell (conversion failed)
Jonathan Morin 65 kick return (Jordan Bonilla run)
Fumble Recovery: Deshaun Alexander, Mason Ventrone
Interception: Deshaun Alexander
NOTES: Brookline's eleven year olds rebounded from last week's
stunning loss with a 30-6 triumph over the West Mifflin Titans
in the opening round of the 2013 SSYFL playoffs. With Coach
Don absent from the sideline, Coach Jerry Tuite led the Knights
back to their winning ways and on to the Semi-Finals.
The contest began with the Brookline reserves in the unfamiliar
starters role. Brookline pinned West Mifflin deep in their own
territory with a long kickoff that was downed at the ten yard
line. From there, the Titans launched a methodic ten minute,
ninety yard drive to take an early 6-0 lead.
The Titan offense owned the first quarter. Brookline's offense
owned the second. The Knights erupted for three touchdowns.
Mason Ventrone and Jonathan Morin both scored on breakaway
runs, and Ventrone added another six-pack with a last minute
pass reception from Nick Roell. Aidan Logan and Marques Watson
added conversions to give the Knights a 22-6 halftime lead.
Morin began the second half with a sixty-five yard kick return,
followed by Jordan Bonilla's two-pointer, to increase the
Knight advantage to 30-6. From that point on, the reserves
finished the game and did well. In fact, the Brookline second
teamers got the majority of playing time on this afternoon.
Chad Lubawski and Deshaun Alexander played outstanding games on
defense. Lubawski had several good tackles and forced a fumble.
Alexander had a fumble recovery and a late-game interception,
which he returned fifty-seven yards before being brought down.
Next week the defending champion Knights head to the semi-final
round looking for a return ticket to the SSYFL Super Bowl.
WEEK #9 - October 19, 2013 - FINAL REGULAR SEASON GAME
13-UNDER @ Bethel Park High School
BROOKLINE 14 - Bethel Park 12 (Double Overtime)
Scoring Summary:
Curtis Bradley 52 run (conversion failed)
Quran Powe 5 run (Brent Ivory pass from Jeremy Jenkins)
Fumble Recovery: Quran Powe, Raekwon Caldwell
NOTES: In the final regular season game, Coach Brian Nicholas
and his Brookline Knights traveled to Park Avenue Field for
their second meeting with the Hawks. In a game that had evolved
into a preview of the 2013 SSYFL Super Bowl, the first-place
Knights (7-0) and the second place Hawks (5-1) battled it out
on a frigid evening. In a double overtime thriller, Brookline
eeked out a 14-12 victory to put a wrap on the top seed.
A heavy downpour prior to the game had the field soggy and the
temperature dipping into the low-40s. As the game began, a veil
of mist continued to linger, making the atmosphere feel like a
freezer with no humidity control. It was cold!
The biting chill did not hamper Curtis Bradley, who fired up
the crowd on the second play from scrimmage with a fifty-two
yard touchdown run. Bradley bulled his way past several Hawks,
then sprinted to the endzone to give the Knights a 6-0 lead.
A good kick return by the Hawks put them at midfield to start
their opening possession. Bethel advanced to the thirty-seven
yard line before being forced to punt. For the next several
series' neither team generated much offensive punch.
Then, with three minutes to go in the half, the Hawks ran three
running plays that advanced the ball sixty yards to the Knight
four yard line. A short touchdown run with 1:37 remaining tied
the score at 6-6. A conversion attempt up the middle was met by
a wall of Knights. The halftime break began shortly after.
Quran Powe began the second half by recovering a fumble on the
Bethel kick return. Brookline advanced to the Hawk twenty yard
line before two penalties forced them back. A fumbled snap was
recovered by the Hawks at their forty-two. Bethel moved across
midfield and stalled. A booming punt rolled into the endzone
for a touchback. The Knights took control on their twenty.
A good run by Powe and a ten yard Hawk penalty were followed by
another outstanding run by Bradley. Curtis sprinted sixty yards
downfield and was brought down from behind at the Hawk two yard
line. The Hawk defense rose to the occasion and held Brookline
to one yard in four plays. It was a fabulous goal line stand.
The Hawks took over on the one. The fourth quarter opened with
Raekwon Caldwell recovering a fumble at the Bethel four yard
line. Once again standing on the precipice, the Knights were
unable to reach the endzone. A false start penalty was followed
by a Bethel interception at the one yard line.
This time the Hawks were able to move the ball out of their
redzone. After two first downs the drive petered out. With four
minutes to play in regulation, a poor Bethel punt went out of
bounds at their own thirty-eight. The Knights pushed forward
to the Hawk fifteen before a fourth down pass fell incomplete.
After all this chilling excitement, the score remained 6-6. The
final period expired and the game went into overtime. Sales of
hot chocolate skyrocketed as the two team captains parlayed at
midfield. The real-feel temperature was now in the 30s.
Bethel won the coin toss and elected to let Brookline have the
first offensive series. Two runs put the ball on the five. Two
penalties moved it back to the twenty. Two incomplete passes
ended the Knights possession. The ball went back to the ten.
The Hawks ran three plays for three yards, then attempted a
fourth down pass to the back of the endzone. The ball was on
the mark. A fantastic play by Evan Miller, who swatted it out
of the grasp of the Hawk receiver, saved the day.
Brookline won the toss and chose to be on offense to start the
second overtime. A five yard reception by Khalil Weathers was
followed by a determined push to the endzone by Powe. Stood up
at the two, it seemed as though the entire Knight team pushed
Quran forward as the entire Hawk team tried to hold him back.
After the whistles blew, the referees peeled the layers off the
pile. At the bottom was Powe, with the ball safely over the
plane. Quarterback Jeremy Jenkins, who struggled all evening
with the passing game, followed up by throwing a perfect strike
to Brent Ivory in the corner of the endzone for the two-point
conversion. The Knights now led 14-6.
The Hawks answered that challenge with a five yard touchdown
run on their possession to close the gap to 14-12. The outcome
now rested firmly on the shoulders of the Knight defenders.
The Bethel conversion run was a blast right up the gut. The
Hawk was met quickly as he pounded into the line. It became
another twenty-two man pile up. When the Bethel runner finally
fell, short of the goal, the Brookline Knights erupted in
celebration. They worked hard to earn this win.
Aside from the miserable weather, this was a fantastic game.
Each team battled it out on equal terms. The hits were fierce
and emotions ran high on both sidelines. It may have been the
most exciting game witnessed so far this year, and with first
place on the line, it was definitely the most dramatic.
The tale of the tape reads like this: The Knights gained 176
total yards. They rushed thirty-one times for 172 and completed
three of ten passes for twelve. Runners included Bradley 9/122,
Powe 17/48, Weathers 2/8 and Jenkins 3/-6. Powe had nine more
yards on two receptions and Ivory added three on one. Jenkins
was sacked once for a loss of eight. The Knights were penalized
TEN times for sixty-five yards.
The Hawks gained 140 yards rushing on forty-four carries, and
completed one of three passes for no gain. They were penalized
four times for twenty-five yards. Bethel held a 7-3 advantage
over the Knights in first downs. Some defenders who stood out
with key tackles were Dominic Emma, Justice Jones, Mar Oaks,
Nathan Kendall, Caldwell, Weathers, Jenkins and Powe.
Brookline finished their regular season undefeated, with an 8-0
record. Next week they have a bye and then it's on to the SSYFL
Super Bowl for a rematch with these same Bethel Park Hawks.
It should be a great game.
 
 
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