Heartbreaking Loss to Pottstown

(Photo 1: Jack #24 running it in for six points; Photo 2: This is one of my favorite photos all year…Jack’s done this a couple of times; he blitzes through the line and then just grabs two players at once and bashes them together.)

The Jr. PeeWee Gold gave it their all, but came up a little bit short. It was a exciting game to watch, and just one or two little mistakes sent the game in the wrong direction.

Photos from the game are here.

Here’s Kevin’s game wrap-up:

Pottstown Slips By Golden Boys

The Junior Pee Wee Gold Lions put a scare into the undefeated Pottstown Patriots before giving up two late touchdowns in a tough loss at CB West’s Memorial Field.

The big stage seamed to suit the Lions just fine as Tommy Lupo took the opening kickoff and rumbled twenty yards into enemy territory. With “Cool Hand” Mike Fitzgerald at the helm the Lions then drove the ball straight up the middle behind Tyler Brennan, Jake Harraka, Tommy Capriotti, Chris Braun, and Ryan Keating.  The drive stalled deep in Patriot territory but the Lions had clearly sent their opponents a message—”hope you brought your lunch you’re in for a long day.”

It was time for the vaunted Lions D to take the field.  Alec Coburn made two great stops to let the Patriots know that the Lions meant business.  After Lion’s OLBs Lupo and Andrew Whelan stuffed two off tackle plays, the Lions blitzed and their gang tackle stopped the Patriots on downs.

The Lions O took than took control as Jack McKenna followed blocks by Keating and Colin Patrick, broke two tackles and burst into the end zone to complete a 30 yard scoring run.  The Lions extra point try was unsuccessful but the Lions were on the board first 6-0.

The rest of the first half was spent in Patriots territory with the Lions threatening but unable to punch in the second score.    Still the Lions had done good work to take a 6-0 lead into the half.

The second half started strong with Lions’ D standing tall.  The defensive interior line of Connor Schmutz at nose tackle and Ryan Walton and Blaze Hutkin at the tackles were getting penetration and the OLB Tommy Valleto was filling the gaps allowing the Patriots nothing inside.

Pottstown tried the outside but the end Josh House and corners Cam Tealor and Tommy Capriotti shut that down.  Finally they tried to take to their air but Jake Harraka closed that option with two timely sacks.

A key play in the fourth quarter occurred when Lucas Lasher boomed a punt to get the Lions out of trouble.  With plays like that it looked like it would be the Lion’s day until Pottstown’s all-conference tailback broke free for two late scores sealing the Golden Boys’ fate.  Even in defeat however, the Lions continue to play tough, aggressive football.  This kind of effort will surely lead to a better result next week.