Rolling Raiders Set Sights on First Morris County Pee Wee Championship

Imagine being the first team to win an inaugural championship. Imagine taking nearly four months’ worth of work and accomplishing one ultimate goal. Imagine being the best among your peers.

For the Long Valley Raiders undefeated Pee Wee football team, imagination can become reality on Sunday, Nov. 16.

For the first time in Morris County Youth Football League history, an overall champion will be crowned. In years past, titles went to winners of the National and American divisions. In 2013, the Raiders won the National division and were named co-champions of the league of sixth grade players.

But this year is different. This year, one team has the opportunity to stand above the rest. And Long Valley will take on Denville to decide just that.

Led by head coach Mickey Pirrello, the Raiders are currently 10-0, winning all nine of its regular season games. The squad isn’t just winning, though – it’s completely dominating.

The Raiders have outscored their 10 opponents by a total of 275 to 18. Break it down and they’re posting 27.5 points per game while only giving up 1.8, on average. The team’s defense pitched five consecutive shutouts to start the season and seven goose eggs overall, and only allowed six points to Rockaway in last week’s playoff game.

At noon on Sunday at Hackettstown High School’s football field, the Raiders will square off against the American Division champions who steamrolled Newton 24-0 in last week’s playoff game.

“Since practice started in August, the kids have continually raised the bar each week with their preparation and play on the field,” Pirrello said. “We have a motto on the team, that ‘we win our games in practice.’ These kids work hard in practice and answer the bell on game day without hesitation. The games are the fun part for this team; they are always ready to roll.”

The Raiders, one of Long Valley’s longest-running organizations of any kind, is known to be a family affair, and it takes all members of the community to help make it successful.

“Since the beginning of the season, we’ve been on a journey together as parents, coaches and players,” Pirrello said. “Each practice and each game is another step in the journey for us and the kids have really thrived in that role, learning and building upon new football concepts and techniques they are being taught by their coaches. We could not be more proud of this group of kids and the growth, maturity and leadership they have demonstrated as a team.”

The Pee Wee team consists of 30 players, including: Felice Montella, Kole Duerr-Fredrickson, Tyler Menton, David Rento, Trey Guzman, Chris Mullin, Anthony Marino, Mikey Zutell, Colin Blount, Rocco Mustacchio, Michael Steen, Gavin Cuccaro, Jack Connelly, Andy Pruss, Christian Cevis, Chris Bell, Luke Duerr-Fredrickson, Gabriel Caso, Drake Hueckel, Michael Pirrello, William Farkas, Nick Chisari, Logan Hart, Matt Ruppel, Eric Lyden, Joey Rotundo, Jack Leloia, James Robinson, Hunter Babinec, and Peter Rizzuto.

“Regardless of the outcome on Sunday, these kids have learned that hard work pays off and that is something that translates to their school work and all other aspects of their life,” Pirrello added. “They deserve a victory on Sunday, but it will be up to them to go take it.”