North Haven Youth Football Marches into Championship Playoff Series

8th Grade
The eighth-grade North Haven Indians completed their regular season with a strong finish defeating Cheshire 45-20. North Haven was led by the running of Jianni Snipes and Anthony Bello. Vinny DePalma also scored his first touchdown of the season.

North Haven was led on defense by the strong play of cornerback Kevin Spencer and linebacker Bobby Farley. Aiden Lillis and Joe Personeni provided exceptional special teams play on kick off and extra points.

North Haven will begin the defense of their seventh-grade championship against East Haven on Sunday night at 6:30 p.m. All five of North Haven’s youth teams have qualified for the Shoreline Youth Football League Championship playoffs. Games will be held at 12:30, 2:30, 4:30 and 6:30 on Sunday, Nov. 2. Come to Mike Vanacore Field to support our youth football players and Cheerleaders.

7th Grade
The North Haven seventh-grade football team dropped a 12-6 decision to Cheshire this week. The Indians had a strong defensive performance lead by Matt Mullen with 10 tackles and a sack, Jeff Williston -10 tackles, Max Rivera - 9 tackles and a fumble recovery, and Joe Wenzel - 8 tackles. Key tackles were also made by Jaden Luedee, Kyle Maruca and Joe Urtel. Kyle Rollier, Luke Maruca, Josh Blumenthal, and Al Piscitelli blocked well on the line, but the only score was a 74-yard run by Ethan Okwuosa.

6th Grade
The sixth-grade Indians defeated a strong Monroe team 16-6 to go improve to 6-2. After going down 6-0 in the first half, North Haven roared back against the Lions when Rafe Lawless ran 65 yards for the score (Patrick Lyllis kick good) to take the lead 8-6.

Anthony Rapuano then went in from the 1-yard line (Lyllis kick good) making it 16-6. The score was set up by a 25-yard run by Rafe Lawless and 10-yard run by Gine Schavio.

Defensively, Lyllis, Lawless , and Isaiah Earl each had sacks. Damian Carano, David Pace, Chris Johnson, and James Loda each made several key tackles.

To seal the game, Justin Perrille intercepted Monroe on their last play of the game to thwart their last ditch effort. The sixth-grade squad will be a #4 seed in the Championship series and will play the defending shoreline champions Guilford in the first round of the playoffs next Sunday 11/2/14 at Vanacore Field.

5th Grade

The fifth-grade Indians (5-3) closed its regular season with its most solid performance of the season, beating Monroe 33-6 on the road in a “must-win” game for playoff contention.

North Haven was up 33-0 one minute into the second half and coasted to victory.

North Haven sustained one of its typical long, punishing opening drives, culminated by a 3 yard rush by Grant Curtis. Spencer Mulligan and Matt Dodge also scored first-quarter touchdowns to give North Haven comfort in the much-needed rout of Monroe.

Mateo Crisanti also score on a 70-yard run in the second quarter making the score 27-0. North Haven’s defense allowed only two first downs for the entire first half.

Crisanti then intercepted a Monroe pass and returned it 62 yards for a final North Haven touchdown with only one minute gone in the second half. That closed the North Haven scoring for the day. A late 4th quarter Monroe touchdown resulted in the 33-6 final.

4th Grade

The fourth-grade Indians looked to finish their regular season undefeated as they took on the tough-hitting Bristol Bulldogs on Sunday. North Haven used fivedifferent running backs on their first touchdown drive as Antonio Fusco found paydirt following a bruising block by Bennet DellaValle.

The point after attempt was no good. Indians 6-0. Bristol answered right back with a scoring drive of their own as the Indians allowed a few big runs on that drive.

North Haven stuffed the extra point try and the game was knotted 6-6. The Indian coaching staff made some key adjustments and the defense responded by not allowing another point all game.

Ryan Bernardo, Cam Carrano, Frank DeCrescenzo and Dylan Donnelly were all key contributors in the turn-around.

DellaValle scored on a 1 yard blast and Declan Finkle split the uprights to give the Indians a 14-6 lead. Key blocks by Drew Grillo, Mark Ludovico, John ONeill, Michael Bolduc and Albert Rotondo kept the Indians moving forward throughout the drive. Dominic Liquori was all over the field making play after play as the Indians D really came on strong.

North Haven’s Jayden Novak took the opening play of the second half 51 yards for their final touchdown of the day. The extra point was no good but made the score 20-6 North Haven. Mateo Raiano and Nick Magro had success on the ground while having great blocking support from Sal Schepisi, Caleb Somma and Dante Valez.

The win secured the second seed and the 4th grade Indians will open the playoffs with a home game against the same Bristol Bulldogs on Sunday 11/2/14.

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