ALF 120-pounders earn runner-up finish

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The ALF 120-pound team advanced to the Super Bowl and finished second in the league this season. Here, the team holds the runner-up trophy.

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The Little Falcons 120 cheerleaders won the league's cheerleading competition last weekend, out of eight teams.

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Neighbors | Submitted.The ALF 140 cheerleading squad took first place in the league's cheer competition last weekend..

The 120-pound Austintown Little Falcons finished as the league runner-up after falling 38-0 to the West Side Patriots in the Super Bowl at Fitch Falcon Stadium.

The top-seeded Patriots dominated from the start on both sides of the ball.

Despite the loss, ALF coach Antonio Page was very positive.

“No one expected us to get to the Super Bowl this year – we worked hard as a team and a family all season,” he told the team. “We got here, came up short, but I am proud of this team and what they accomplished. We have many kids returning next season – we will be back and the players moving up will be a big help at the 140 level.”

Members of the team were Logan Italliano, Andrew Bretsik, Daniel Ifft, Christopher Scott, Melvin Neail, Cole Tolley, Steven Woodberry, Nicholas Ellington, Kyree North, Daniel Newman, Hunter Nitzsky, Paul Stevens, Bryce Revis, Cedric Ross, Vincent Shade, Chase Gabrick, Christian Woodberry, Warren Harris, Donovan Jones, Nicholas Rich, Eric Shipsky, Matthew Ferree, Steven Echols, Maeson Green, Nicholas Hall, Justin Stainfield, Dylan Barnes, Nicholas Dominic, Diven Ellert, Gratrae Wilkes, Owen Yohman, Liam Carver, Zach Johnston, Aaron Calhoun, Dominic Fowler, David Gunger and Brandon Malahtaris.

The squad was coached by Page, Randy Smith, Luis Leon Jr., Mark Ellis, Rudy Jackson, Will Beverly, Melvin Neail, Dan Stainfield and Kyle Stevens.

The Austintown Little Falcons cheerleading squads had a great showing at the NEOYFL competition at Fitch High School. Eight teams competed in the annual event.

Head cheer adviser Sheila Schertzer was pleased with the results.

”The girls all worked very hard all season in support of the boys and for this competition,” she said. “They all deserve rewards.”

Both the 120 and 140 cheer squads took home first-place trophies, while the 100’s placed fourth, missing out on third by just a few points.

Throughout the youth football season, Dylan Blott, a member of the 140-pound team, was misidentified in the submitted information as his brother, Anthony Blott, who played on the 100-pound team. Both players had fine seasons and the Little Falcons apologize for the mistake.

Tomorrow, the Austintown Little Falcons will take part in and host the NEOYFL Pro Bowl all-star game at Fitch Stadium starting at noon.

The format this year will be Mahoning County (Falcons, Patriots, Redmen, Crusaders) versus Trumbull County/Pa. (Warren Raiders, Panthers, Labrae Vikings, Farrell Titans). Cheerleaders will also cheer on their squads,

Admission is $3 and 10 percent of the proceeds will go to breast cancer charity support.