Jr. All-American Football: Junior Midget Seahawks win title
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The Newport-Mesa Junior All-American Football Junior Midget
Seahawks defeated the Rowland Heights Raiders, 20-7, to claim the AFL
Pacific Division title Saturday.
Mike Orosco scored late in the second quarter to give the Seahawks a
6-0 lead. In the third quarter, Matt Reiger returned a punt 65 yards for
a touchdown to put the Seahawks up, 12-0.
The Raiders answered with a punt block and touchdown midway through
the fourth quarter.
Bret Crowley extinguished any hopes of a comeback with a crucial
60-yard interception return for a touchdown to seal the victory for the
Seahawks.
John Angelo, Matt Hauser, Matt Lutton, Ben Buttolph, Delano McKenzie,
Ricky Sepulvada, Tony Jones and Ryan Lance also contributed to the
Seahawks’ effort.
Special teams and defense created six turnovers for the Seahawks.
The team finished the regular season with a 7-1 record. Following a
bye next week, the Seahawks return to action Nov. 10 against the winner
of the South Bay Packers-Corona Panthers first-round playoff game.
In other NMJAAF action:
* Junior Clinic Seahawks 8, Rowland Heights Raiders 6 - Despite
controlling the football for much of the game, the Seahawks were held
scoreless until Michael Taormina and Buzzy Yokoyama sacked the Raider
quarterback for a safety. On the ensuing drive, the Seahawks were able to
score their only touchdown of the game behind strong running from
Taormina and Austin Blodgett.
Defensive standouts for the Seahawks include Chasen McNaughton, Hunter
Durante, Joseph DiCesare, John Prickett and Tyler Henry.
The Seahawks (4-4), seeded third, play the Corona Panthers in the
first round of the playoffs on Nov. 3 at 9 a.m. in Garden Grove.
* Pee Wee Seahawks 46, Tri-City Steelers 0 - The Seahawks (7-1) earned
their fourth consecutive shutout to finish first in the Pacific League.
Jon Tripi returned the opening kickoff 60 yard for a touchdown to set
the tone for the game. Taylor Sepulveda threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to
Robbie Lusk and a 5-yard touchdown pass to Erik Rask to highlight the
offense.
William O’Brien, Corbin McNutt, Sepulveda and Lusk had touchdown runs
behind strong blocking from Jerry Whitney, Frankie Russo, Nick Reese,
James McKennon, Bryce Jardine, Keifer Fairbanks and Justin Elbourn.
Michael Jugan made a long pass reception and Carlo Valdes had a long run
to set up touchdowns.
The defense was led by Steve Deverian, Tommy Folks, Brett Hanrahan,
Brian Lawler, Jake Lemmerman, Travis Prickett, P.J. Simpson, Richie
Sorenson, Brice Stillman and Chaz Vickery.
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