Wolverines Teams Open Season with Impressive Wins

Gold Flag

The Watchung Hills Wolverines kicked off the season with an impressive showing against the Pioneers of Somerville.  Matthew Dahl completed a five yard touchdown pass to Dylan Kelly to cap off the first drive of the day. 

Brian Edelman and Matthew Dahl each rushed for 45 yards on four carries while Dylan Kelly added 20 yards on two carries.  Dylan Simon capped off the scoring when he scampered 15 yards for the score behind the blocking of Christian Hagel and Joseph Vecchio. 

The stingy defense led by Matthew Dahl (6 flags), Dylan Kelly (5 flags, 1 interception), Scott Drews (5 flags) and Dylan Simon (4 flags) held the Pioneers scoreless.  Brian Edelman and Jonathan Hold each pulled one flag on the day.

Blue Flag

The Wolverines Blue Flag Team turned in a strong effort against Somerville.  The offense was led by Martin Howell with 35 rushing yards and Brett Christopher with 20 yards rushing.

On defense, Howell led the team with 4 flags while Quentin Tao, Kenny McGoldrick, Tyler Shpunder and Brett Christopher each pulled two flags.

Junior Flag

The Wolverines Junior Flag Team came out fired up in their game against the Ville.  Jayden Fernandez broke two 40 yard touchdown runs in the first half for the offense that couldn’t be stopped.  Jack Clintock rushed for 50 yards on three carries and a touchdown while Byron McCann, Brendan Dowd and Perry Weingarten added 20 yard runs of their own. 

In the second half, Ryan Johnson scored on a 40 yard sprint while David Dubas added 45 yards rushing and a score.  Brayden Kelly had two long runs and added a score.  Quarterback Colin Hait ran the offense flawlessly adding 20 yards rushing and Jadon Prinzivalli had two nice runs as well.

The defense held the Pioneers to less than 40 yards on the day.  Kyle Checchio led the defense by grabbing four flags with Jayden Fernandez and Jack Clintock each grabbing three.  Brendan Dowd and Brayden Kelly pulled two flags apiece while Colin Hait, David Dubas, Michael Ohara and Ryan Johnson each pulled one.

Mighty Mites

The 2012 Watchung Hills Pop Warner 'Mitey Mite' football team began the season with at 13-0 win at Somerville on Sunday, Aug. 26. The Mitey Mites are the youngest tackle football squad and feature boys who are seven, eight, and nine years old (as of Aug 1.)

Starting the game on both offense and defense were Justin Drews, Luke Malfetti, Jack Valenti, Tyler Piggot, Shane Kelly, Mac McAteer, Adam Cardoza, Justin Ferreira, Jon deMontagnac and Luke Marion. Josh Claxton started at left tackle on offense while Giovanni Salermo started defensively at right corner back.

A second quarter Watchung Hills Wolverine touchdown run by Luke Malfetti was the first score of the contest. Subsequently, Richie Mistichelli carried the ball for the successful point after conversion as the Mitey Mites took a 7-0 lead into halftime.

In the second half, Jonathan deMontagnac scored a touchdown but that point after conversion failed as the Wolverines' lead improved to 13-0. The win was a solid team effort as many players made contributions on both sides of the ball.

Twenty-four players saw action during Sunday's game and the boys will play again after Labor Day on Sunday, September 9. 

Junior Pee Wee

The Watchung Hills Jr Pee Wee team rolled into Somerville and recorded their 1st win of the season.

The offense was unstoppable with touchdowns by Andrew Reale, Connor Cook, Jack Taub and Matt Drews. 

The blocking by the offensive line, led by Anthony Tomaro, Isaiah Parker, Adam Claxton and John Bechtle created huge holes for the backs all day.  QB, Matty Colantuono, led the offense for 2 of the 4 TD's and also had some impressive runs as well.

The Wolverine defense was spearheaded by hard hitting linebackers Andrew Reale, Connor Cook, Jack Taub, and Michael Butrico. 

The defensive  line of Anthony Tomaro, Isaiah Parker, Adam Claxton, Charlie Everhard and Justin "UBIE" Uberoi stuffed the Somerville offense all day holding the Pioneers to no points.

Junior Midgets

The Watchung Hills Wolverines Jr. Midget team opened their season against a talented Hillside team Aug. 26 with a convincing 27-0 win. The team kicked off to start the game and didn't yield a positive yard on defense in the first series with Gary Gagliotti and Matt Roth plugging holes up the middle and Robby Zeto making great tackles on the outside.

The Wolverines took over on their own 30 and drove the ball 70 yards capped off by a 2 yard plunge for a touchdown by Eric Plesko. Tyler Jelmert recovered the on-side kick (and a fumble later in the game) and the Wolverines scored again when Plesko broke one up the middle for 46 yards behind the blocking of Tom Christie, Jonathan Taub, and Connor James.

Mike Ugarte showed great speed and agility late in the second quarter when he ran up the middle and cut outside for 14 yards and the score. Nick Ugarte had 6 carries for 42 yards and blocked well all day.

The Wolverines take on Delaware Valley at home on Sunday.

Submitted by Todd Kelly