The Winnemucca Youth Football League (W.Y.F.L.) held their inaugural junior tackle championship game last Saturday at Highland Park.
The Junior Green improved their season record to 7-0 and became the first ever Junior Tackle champions when they defeated Junior Gold (4-3) with a final score of 45-0.
The Green received the opening kickoff and put together a nice scoring drive capped off by an 8-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Max Mavity to tight end Rueben Diaz. After the successful extra point attempt by Anthony Hemp, Gold player Jaden Fetty returned the kickoff for 15 yards. The offense wasn't able to get anything going and was forced to punt after a three-and-out.
Starting Green running back Colton VonAspern was held out of action due to a broken arm suffered in the early minutes of their week six game vs. the Junior Blue.
Backup running back Javon Lindeman didn't disappoint in his fill-in role as he took a sweep for 10 yards in what would have been the second score of the first quarter for Green. A holding penalty negated the touchdown and on the very next play - a reverse to slotback Sam Roth - resulted in the score. Another successful point after touchdown try by Hemp put the Green up 16-0.
Green continued to play strong defense, holding Gold to another scoreless drive. The third Green touchdown of the first quarter came on a 7-yard Mavity sneak to the right side. The Hemp PAT was blocked by a Junior Gold player but still went through the uprights to give Green a 24-0 lead after the first quarter of play.
Momentum continued to build for Green as the kickoff to start the second quarter was muffed and recovered by Lindeman. Green marched down the field and Roth capped off another drive with his second touchdown run of the contest. Hemp continued his perfect day at PAT's with his fourth successful attempt after the Roth score.
Before halftime, Lindeman broke a run of 47 yards for his first touchdown of the game. An unsuccessful point after rush attempt put the score at 38-0 at the half. The Gold squad was held to 59 total yards of offense in the first half.
Head coach Benny Martinez inspired his team at halftime. The entire third quarter went scoreless for both squads due largely to great defensive play and turnovers by both offenses. Jaden Fetty even broke through the Green offensive line to record the only sack of the game. Running back Tristan Schmittel broke a run of 22 yards that nearly doubled the first half offensive production of the Gold team.
Fourth quarter action led to the final scoring drive of the game by Green. Wide receiver Anthony Hemp took a reverse for 13 yards and a score. Lindeman ran a successful PAT attempt to bring the score to 45-0. Green removed some of their starters and back-up quarterback Tai Combes came in to run the offense. While Tai managed a 19-yard scramble he was also hit and stripped by Gold's Garette Hinshaw. Hinshaw recovered the fumble he caused giving the Gold offense an opportunity. On the very next play Anthony Hemp defended his back-up QB by intercepting a Jaden Fetty pass, putting the game away.
When asked about the difference between playing against Green this season in comparison to other teams, leading Gold tackler Tristan Schmittel responded, "they are harder to tackle. They run with power and are quick."
Martinez made the following post game comments. "Green played awesome. Green played as a team, you know. Good job to the Green players and their coaches."
The making of this championship winning roster is a proverbial Cinderella story.
Head coach Tony Roth has led Junior Green with his assistant coaches Tony Gildone, Steve Hemp and Louie VonAspern since the team joined the league as an expansion squad three years ago. In their initial season Junior Green finished with a 1-6 record as the team was primarily composed of first year players fresh out of flag football. The overabundance of inexperience proved to be their Achilles heel in that campaign, however it would become their strength over the next two seasons. In their second year the more experienced Junior Green finished tied with the best record in the league.
The 2014 Junior Green roster of 15 total athletes consisted of 13 third-year players (players in their final junior tackle season). This experience-heavy roster wasn't considered an underdog to win the championship this season, however, the story of the growth of these players from worst to first over the last three years is a testament to the inspiration and hope the W.Y.F.L. offers Winnemucca area youth.
Tony Roth provided a statement on what the journey has been like for him the past three years of coaching Junior Green.
"In 2012 I was approached by the WYFL board regarding their need for a coach due to the growth the league was experiencing. I made a commitment to the league and the kids. Having had the opportunity to coach in the WYFL has been a truly rewarding experience. You start from the ground up, with new and inexperienced players, all of whom had never donned football helmet let alone made a tackle, block or touchdown. My main goal from day one was to make the experience of youth football fun. Many of these young players may not ever have the opportunity to play football again due to a number of reasons, but while they are with me and the other coaches, we will give 100 percent to them and make the season, from beginning to end, as much fun as I possibly can.
"In order to do that I understood that my role would be to educate, develop sound technique, teach good sportsmanship, and build teamwork.
"It has meant a great deal to me to watch these kids grow and develop into good hard working and committed kids. My first year as a coach was challenging and I learned a lot of lessons, including having to teach to kids to cope with not being successful when it came to wins and losses. As coaches we are responsible for setting an example and managing and motivating kids. We are not only coaches but also representatives of our community. Along with my other coaches Tony Gildone, Steve Hemp and Lou Vonaspern we were all committed to making our group of players respect all of the other players, parents, coaches and referees.
"I'd like to thank the league and other board members, both past and present for their continued hard work. A lot of effort goes on behind the scenes and countless hours are put into the WYFL by a small group of people and I'm thankful to have had the opportunity to work with them. My reward is showing up to Highland Park as early as I can on Saturday mornings and watching it fill with Winnemucca youth that are proud to wear their uniform. I look forward to all of these kids growing up together and reaching goals that they set for themselves."[[In-content Ad]]
