Youth football teams advance in playoffs

The Austintown Little Falcons 120-pound team traveled to Warren and knocked off the No. 6 seed Little Redmen 24-0 last weekend in the opening round of the playoffs.

“This was a great game, but we still need to play even harder next game if we want to achieve our goal of making it back to the Super Bowl and winning it this year,“ coach Antonio Page told his team after the game.

Outstanding line play on both sides of the ball enabled ALF to control the tempo and play ball control offense. Andrew Bretsik, Daniel Ifft and Steven Woodberry scored on TD runs of 37, 50 and 40 yards, respectively, for the Falcons. Melvin Neail tacked on all three conversions.

Logan Italliano, Christopher Scott, Bryce Revis, Eric Shipsky, Matthew Ferree, Nicholas Hall, Kyree North, Justin Stainfield, Aaron Calhoun, Diven Ellert, Donovan Jones and Maeson Green all played well in the big win.

ALF (6-2) will play Labrae (7-1) in a semifinal game tomorrow. The winner advances to the Super Bowl to be played at Fitch Stadium on Oct. 30.

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As the No. 7 seed, the 100-pounders had their sights set on upsetting No. 2 LaBrae in the first round of the playoffs. But the bigger and more experienced Vikings overmatched the Falcons en route to a 26-0 victory.

”Our young team played hard all season. We have learned together and if these kids stick together, they have a good football future,“ said coach Steve Ellis.

Tod Simons led the way with 10 tackles on defense and 14 carries and one completed pass on offense. Giavonia Estrada, Daniel Fetty, Ryan Gordon, Earl Lewis, Cameron Smith, Lance Hall, AJ Bedock, Anthony Sandy and Logan Pugh all played well in the last game of the season for the squad.

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The ALF 140-pounders saw their 2011 season come to a heartbreaking end last weekend, as their fell to the West Side Patriots 6-0 in overtime in the first round of the playoffs.

The No. 7 seeded Falcons gave the No 2 seeded Patriots all they wanted in an old-fashioned slugfest played in the muck and mire of a very soggy Kirkmere Field.

After a scoreless four quarters on both sides, the Patriots scored in the overtime session to advance to semifinals.

“The kids gave everything they had — it was a great loss. All of our kids played well, Our team is young and we will be back stronger and better next season,” said coach Anthony Garcia.

Milton Buchner led the offense with 14 carries, one pass reception, one pass completion and eight tackles on defense. Nathaneil Fowler added four pass completions and a pass reception.

Randy Smith, Michael Ferree, Tyler Day, Kerron Devoe, Ju-Li Jackson, Don Rica Stoutmire, Anthony Blott, J. Reid, Antonio Page, Tyler Petry and Ezra Lazar all played well in the season finale.

Austintown Colts

The Colts 95-pound advanced to the second round of the playoffs after earning a 26-0 win over Howland last weekend.

Devin Winford led the Colts offensive attack with 113 yards and two touchdowns. Other rushing stars for the game were Kyree Long (eight carries, 46 yards, TD), Devon Winford (three carries, 31 yards, TD) and Carl Farina V (seven carries, 43 yards). Colin Roberts scored the team’s two point conversions.

The Colts stellar defense was able to keep the first half scoreless and the second half became a battle of the JV teams.Austintown advances to the semifinals tomorrow against the Hermitage Little Hornets at Falcons Stadium.

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The 120-pound Colts saw their season end after falling to Howland 28-14 to Howland in the playoffs last weekend.

Austintown’s A.J Winterburn scored on a 55-yard runt to get the Colts on the board. Quarterback Christopher Scandy added a rushing touchdown in the second half.

Defensively, Nooch DeCato played an outstanding game with several tackles for loss.

“The season was a struggle, but the very young team has plenty of potential for next season,” said coach Chris Jones.

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Steve Berchick scored on a 65-yard run on the game’s first play to spark the 140-pound Colts to a 28-0 victory over Hermitage in the opening round of the postseason last weekend.

The Colts never relented and the defense stymied the Hornets offense to secure the shutout.

Offensively, Chayne Cefalde scored on a 45-yard run and Berchick added a 40-yard fumble recovery for a score and another long TD run on offense. He rushed for nearly 200 yards.

Major Lee added a conversion run.

Other outstanding defensive performances on the day were turned in by Alec Greathouse, Chayne Cefalde and Berchick.

Brandon Lazar had several tackles and an outstanding effort on an interception from his safety position.

The Colts advance to the semifinals at Fitch in a rematch with the Howland Little Tigers tomorrow.