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Coach Donnie's "Big Green Machine"
In the thirty-three years that the
Brookline Knights have taken to the gridiron, there have been some very
outstanding teams. It's always a gamble to say "this team is best" or
"that team is best," but when the odds are favorable it's worth taking
a chance. The 2006 Brookline Knights 9-Under team just might be the best
team to ever put on the green and black.
With Coach Don Helman firmly in
control, this Knight team cruised to a rare undefeated 12-0 season, led
on the field by quarterback and linebacker Connor McGinnis. On offense,
Connor had a multitude of weapons to choose from, keeping opponents
guessing and racking up a season total of 263 points. Michael Roper,
Joey Kalsek, David Suwalski, Zac McGrail and Khalil Sanders gave Connor
as many options to choose from as a customer in a car
dealership.
The defense was a virtual Brick
Wall, with little give. These hard hitters held their opponents to a
mere thirty-four points for the entire season, sixteen of these
in the final two games!
After coasting to a 9-0 regular
season record, the Knights headed into the playoffs with a swagger. They
manhandled Steel Valley 29-0 in the Divisional Playoff game and slashed
the Southside Sabres from the title hunt with a 14-8 victory to claim
the Division Championship.
The young Knights saved their best
game for last, when they took on the tough North Hills Indians in the
SSYFL Super Bowl. After a hard fought game, the score was knotted at eight
apiece. Overtime ensued. Answering their first real challenge of the
season, the offensive line surged forward and Connor followed them into
the endzone for six points. The conversion attempt failed. The defense
held North Hills back from the goal line to seal the victory and give the
Brookline Knights football program its first claim to a SSYFL Super Bowl
Championship!
OK, we're back to that "best team"
thing. In 2004 they captured the WPYSFL championship and now have added the
2006 SSYFL title. They are only nine years old! With another four years
to grow and develop, we may all have to shield our eyes from the finely
waxed sheen of Coach Donnie's "Big Green Machine."
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