Jr. Pee Wees Fall in Pop Warner Final

The Dick’s Sporting Goods Junior Pee Wees of the Barrington Pop Warner league won their first round game of the RISMA Pop Warner playoffs Sunday, defeating the Dighton-Rehoboth Falcons 21-12. It was the Eagles' 9th straight victory. 

The Eagles scored on the first play from scrimmage on a fantastic 40-yard TD run by Zach Newberg, with excellent lead blocks from Peter Burgess and Nick Roach.  Roach added two rushing TDs of his own, following the powerful wedge blocking of Meredith Kaplan, Logan Graham, Sergio DaSilva, Jack Kelleher, Marley Karnes, Matt Peecher and Robert Cahill.  Roach later added an extra point pass completion to receiver Burgess. 

RB Will Rywolt fought for some tough rushing first downs, and had two long kickoff returns to put the Eagles deep in Falcon territory.  Fullbacks Lexi Malnerich and Kyle Greenberg ran the ball hard, each fighting for several first downs of their own. 

Barrington’s defense held strong against the elusive D-R attack, with great tackling by Jon Adamson, Chase White and Roach.  The Eagles consistently stuffed the Falcons in the backfield, forcing a safety in the second quarter.

The win set up a rematch against the undefeated Old Rochester Bulldogs (ORR), the only team to beat the Eagles during the season.  The game was played on a cold Tuesday night at Stonehill College’s WB Mason Field, with ORR prevailing 25-0.

Barrington held tough against ORR to start the game, with solid blocking from Center Hunter Norris, Guard AJ Prete and Tackle Ben Silva.  QB Nick Roach was able to pound the ball up the middle of the field, along with backs Burgess, Greenberg and Malnerich.  RBs Newberg and Rywolt gutted out tough yards against an aggressive Bulldogs defense.  Rywolt added two great kickoff returns to start Eagle drives in ORR territory.

The Eagles fought hard on defense, forcing several turnovers on downs.  DE Foster Egan, Linemen Slade Crane, Noah Werbel, DaSilva and Adamson and LBs Roach and Martin Agustin made key tackles.  Seth Mitchell provided terrific coverage at cornerback, forcing most of the Bulldog attack between the tackles.

Head Coach Todd Rywolt would like to thank the coaches, Jon Adamson, Alan Roach and Randy Kaplan, for their hard work to create this special 9-2 season.  The team would also like to recognize the dedicated support of Lineman Tim Hoag (sidelined due to an injury) and assistants Pete Graham, Doug Newberg, Greg Greenberg and Ben Coogan.

-- Todd Rywolt