Seahawks can Steelers in Playoff Opener

Seahawks Jr. Midget team cans the Steelers in Playoff Opener 30 to 12.

Newport Mesa Jr. All American Football started their playoffs Saturday 11/7 and came out the winner of the first round as they canned the Cerritos Steelers 30 to 12. The Seahawks were favored to win, but started the game with two key defensive players, Eddie Nolan and Nick Landstrom, due to injury and illness. That didn’t slow down the Seahawks strong offense led by Chase Forrest (#5) and his key players Ryan Taormina(#32), Jake Favreau(#3), Luke Napolitano(#14), and Ricky Zak. Favreau drove home the first TD in the beginning of the game to set the mood for the win to come. First quarter ended with Seahawks 7 to 0, but with Cole Martin now sidelined with an ankle injury sustained on the second play of the game.

Second quarter was exciting with Favreau running the ball 16 yards, and then an expert pass from Forrest to Napolitano, who brought the ball within 2 yards of the goal line. Favreau again punched it over the line for a TD, but at great cost. Favreau injured his shoulder on the field from a hard tackle during the TD play, which took him out of the game. Taormina ran a two-point conversion raising team moral.

The offensive line (Colin Duffy, Grant Moore, Timmy Strader, Ian Redman and Blake Bauer) opened up huge holes for the running backs to fly through. Taormina was on fire third quarter running the ball 35 yards while breaking two tackles. Again Napolitano caught a 20 yd pass from Forrest to bring it to 1st & goal. Taormina stamped in the touch down and Adam Davis brought the extra point. The defense (Jordan Binder, Brad Hostetler, & Andrew Boukather) was strong this quarter with the announcer stating, “The Seahawks defense is unforgiving up the middle.� Still on fire from his TD, Taormina sacks the Steelers QB deep in the backfield. Seahawks got the ball back with Zak adding 25 yds to the Seahawk drive.

Taormina wouldn’t go down, running for more yardage along the way. Forrest was forced to roll outside under pressure from the Steelers and made another amazing pass to Napolitano for another touchdown. Zak makes another 30 yd run during Q4. The Seahawks won with a commanding 30 to 12 and move to the next level of the playoffs vs. Inglewood next Saturday.

Seahawks player of the week: #32 Ryan Taormina for his extensive success on both offense and defense. He was hot as lava and kept the team fired up as well.