SYFC CHAMPIONSHIP: 8TH GRADE TEAM - 30  vs.  NORTH HAVEN - 6

SHORELINE YOUTH FOOTBALL CONFERENCE 8G CHAMPIONS! These guys did it – and the new Grade-based Trophy will forever bear the Guilford name 1st. On Championship Sunday November 1st hosted by GYF at the High School, Guilford G8 played the Indians of North Haven for the title. North Haven was coming off impressive wins over Madison in the semi-finals and Cheshire prior to that to play their way into the final game. Guilford loves to play Defense and sent our injured Game Captain Donald Grigley out for the coin toss to defer the kickoff to give North Haven the ball. After holding North Haven and forcing a punt, Guilford ’s Offense went to work – scoring quickly on a run by Andrew Meoli with terrific point-of-attack blocking by the Offensive Line of Dave Laurie, Hunter Martins, Ford Linell, Jon Paecht, Freddy Trotta, Steve Lavoie and Dane Lawrence. Guilford scored again before halftime on a scamper by KC Horton through the Maroon Defense to put Guilford on top 14 – 0. The game got interesting (in a bad way for the Green team) when No. Haven blocked a Guilford punt and picked up the ball to score a quick touchdown to cut the lead to 14 – 6. Without panic, Guilford drove the ball into No. Haven territory with key running and blocking by David Knapp helping spring Andrew Meoli for another TD to put Guilford on top 22 – 6. The Defense continued to snuff the strong No. Haven running attack with good tackling by Joey Palmieri, Carson Sperry and a drive-ending interception by Ryan Hart . The Defensive Line play of Martins, Trotta and Robert Nero, along with help from Derick Batick, Aaron Cowee and Tristan Park plugged things up on No. Haven enabling the linebacking corps of Eric Zergiebel (returning from injury and making his presence felt), Joey Nault and Linell to clean up. Another touchdown by Meoli wrapped things up and Guilford could celebrate its Championship victory. After a mid-field ceremony hosted by the SYFC Board congratulating both Teams and celebrating the spirit of good competition – and the gracious well-wishes from North Haven towards Guilford, the new Trophy was presented and hoisted to the sky by this group of young men from Guilford celebrating many years of Youth Football and the hard work, blood, sweat and tears of past seasons that ended short of the big game. A Team party followed as the feeling of satisfaction was allowed to sink in – for one night anyway. Now moving into the second playoff season, Guilford G8 will represent the Shoreline Conference in the AYF State Playoffs. It is on to Disneyworld – or at least Meriden as Guilford will play Southington – Champions themselves in the Mid-Conn Conference, on Sunday, November 8th at 5pm at Falcon Field in Meriden .

ORANGE BOWL SERIES: 7TH GRADE TEAM - 12  at  EAST HAVEN - 32

First, let's congratulate Coach Nault and his 8th grade AYF Shoreline Champions! Great accomplishment boys! What a great way to end our season. I know it was not a win on the scoreboard, but that game and effort was truly special. To play the game without Eck and Tony as well as Rammer, Johnny and Perrotti was a huge disadvantage. Your refusing to back down, and come so close at the end was exactly what we worked so hard for all season. We began on August 1 and ended on November 1, a long time with a lot of work and sweat. It has paid off, and that is noticeable by your steady progress all season. Remember that we did not take any short-cuts, we did what we were supposed to do and we stuck with it when it didn't work so well. It began clicking toward the end of the season and it will reach a high success level next year. After coaching many different types of boys in various sports, I have sat down with several over the years to help them determine how they can improve, and sometimes whether or not they should keep playing that particular sport. I can say HONESTLY that this is the first time I truly believe you should all continue to play football. I am not telling you this to make you feel good, I am letting you know the truth. You have great chemistry together, and you are really a team that can only win if every one of you make the effort. This is certainly not always the case. The whole coaching staff, and team mom would like to thank you for allowing us to be part of your development this season, and helping us to become better at what we do. In youth sports, fun comes first and players win, coaches loose.........remember that always! We'll see you all on the 15th! Coach Joe

SYFC CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: 5TH GRADE TEAM - 0  at  MADISON - 25

ORANGE BOWL SERIES: 4TH GRADE TEAM - 0  vs.  EAST HAVEN - 19

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