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Knights With
A "Never Say Die" Attitude
The Brookline Knights 2006 8-Under
team rang up an incredible string of eleven victories in a row on their way
to the SSYFL Divisional Championship. Several of these victories were tough
defensive struggles, and these Knights defenders were adept at holding their
opponents ball carriers without bail. The offense, led by running backs
Taylor Thornton, Loren Wicks and quarterback Joey Shulik, worked hard every
game. They always managed to find a way to get enough points on the
scoreboard to emerge victorious.
This was never so true as in the
Divisional Playoff game against West Mifflin when, with time running out
and down 6-0, the defense made a critical stop, giving the offense one last
chance to find the endzone. The "Never Say Die" Knights pulled it together
and gave Thornton the crease he needed to weave his way in for a score.
Shulik took the ball the final three yards for the conversion to propel
the team to the championship game.
The following week, against a tough
Steel Valley team, the NSD Knights did it again. Trailing 2-0 in the fourth
quarter, the Thornton/Shulik duo struck again, putting eight points on the
board and laying claim to their first SSYFL title.
Brookline's youngest Knights headed
to the SSYFL Super Bowl with high expectations, but despite a valiant effort,
fell prey to the Carlynton Cougars, 14-6. It was a sad day for Coach Mike
Manuel and our proud Knights. But, with a Division Championship to their
credit, these boys have a lot to be proud of, and their "Never Say Die"
attitude bodes well for the future of the Knights football
legacy.
For the season, Taylor Thornton led
the Knights offense in scoring with a total of seventy-six points, followed
by Loren Wicks with thirty-eight and Joey Shulik with thirty-two. Cody
Cerminara chalked up twelve and Nick Manuel contributed eight. Matt Tonkovich
added six and Amaree Hatcher added the final two. Shulik tossed one touchdown
pass to Cerminara.
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The Brookline Knights
8-Under Team
2006 SSYFL Conference Champions!
Chadric Anderson,
Corey Bogaski, Mason Bowers, Cody Cerminara, Nicholas Deanes,
Dylan DiRenna, Ronnie Dunlap, Christopher Elstner, Christian Frazier,
Tyler Gettings, Matt Haskins, Amaree Hatcher, Luke Jacobs, Austin Liebro,
Dalton Link, Nick Manuel, Tyler McSuley, Michael Naccarelli, Ian Newman,
Aaron Owens, Damon Reft, Mark Roell, Quentin Rudy, Cole Salicce, Morgan Samuels,
Joey Shulik, Kenny Stalowski, Kevin Stover, Taylor Thornton, Matthew Tonkovich,
Adam Tonry, James Vensel, Jr., Zachary Wagner, Lucas Wentzel and Loren Wicks.
Coaches are Mike Manuel, Carl Roell, Darrell Frazier, Joe Tonkovich and Dean
Haskins. The team MOM is Jen Haskins. |
