Photos from the Championship game.
* November 10, 1979 *
Co-Captains
Jerry O'Rourke, Nino Rizza, Eric Graham and Brad Uhl await the coin toss
to begin the championship game.
Quarterback Brad
Uhl and running backs Nino Rizza, Tim Fedak, and Ron D'Onofrio
provided the Brookline Knights potent offensive punch.
Punter Jary Ball
kept opposing teams in poor field position with his booming punts all
season long.
QB Brad Uhl takes a
snap late in the game during Brookline's decisive fourth quarter
drive against the Warriors.
Running Back Nino
Rizza puts the game out of reach with this two point conversion to make
the score 20-10 Brookline.
Players and
Cheerleaders celebrate after the victory.
"Brookline is Number One!!!"
Head Coach Rick
Talerico (holding trophy) and his assistants did a marvelous job all
season.
They earned Brookline a spot next to the Steelers and Pirates in the
"City of Champions."
The Cheerleaders
Lying Down: Nikki Marunich.
Front Row: Lisa Cambest, Colleen Hagen, Annie McDonough, Bobbilyn
Mahoska, Debbie Pribik, Dawn Schilling.
Second Row: Lorrie Bova, Jennifer Dye, Judy Lutes, Mona Impell.
Third Row: Kelly Duggan, Assistant Coach Dina Griffith, Chris Barth,
Theresa Bruno.
Rear: Tracy Murphy, Assistant Coach Patti Marunich, Lorrie DiPippa,
Diane Stauffer, Coach Wanda Impell.
Game 10 - Championship
Brookline Knights Termites Win
League Championship 20-10!
Brookline Knights heralded
Termites (11-year olds) came through in the second half to defeat a strong
Elizabeth-Forward team for the Western Pennsylvania Midget Football
League championship. The Warriors had only two touchdowns scored
against them all season long and were undefeated prior to meeting
Brookline in the final regular season game.
The Knights received the opening
kick-off and could not move the ball as the defense held. After Jary
Ball's 50 yard punt, the Warrior's drove the ball to the Knight's one yard
line, where Pat Morgan and Mike Niemiec hit the Elizabeth-Forward fullback
and caused a fumble, which was recovered by Ray Watters. Two plays later,
quarterback Brad Uhl was hit in the endzone for a safety to give the
Warrior's a 2-0 lead. Elizabeth-Forward then took the kick-off and marched
to the Knights 10 yard line, where the Warriors scored on a burst through
the middle and converted the point after for a 10-0 lead. Both defenses
began to stiffen as the first quarter ended.
Brookline came roaring back as
they caught the Warrior's defense in a blitz. Brad Uhl hit Jerry
O'Rourke with a pass and he outraced the entire Warrior defense for a 55
yard touchdown romp. Chip Devine, Bill Kuss, Terry Ryan and Chuck Ribeau
played outstanding defense as the half ended with the Warrior's holding
a slim edge, 10-6.
The Knights began to dominate as
the second half began to unfold. Elizabeth-Forward was held to only one
first down for the rest of the game. Nino Rizza, Tim Fedak and Ron
D'Onofrio began to pound the Warrior line for big yardage. Brookline took
the lead for good after D'Onofrio broke loose for a big gainer to the 35 on
good blocks by Terry Ryan, Bill Kuss and Mark Hovanec. Nino Rizza then
rambled into the end zone for the score on a 35 yard burst up the middle.
Brookline 12 - Warriors 10.
Pat Foley made a super tackle as
the Knights defense shut down the potent Warrior offense. Jary Ball, Glenn
Undereiner, Tim May and Tim Fedak were outstanding with hard-hitting
defensive plays. Later, Brad Uhl took off on a beautiful 70 yard scamper
to the Warriors 5 yard line where Ron D'Onofrio hit paydirt on an off
tackle burst behind blocks by Don Jakubowski and Bob Malley. Nino Rizza
scored the two point conversion to put the game out of reach for
Elizabeth-Forward at 20-10.
Tom Rose, Mike Bucci, Eric Graham
and Frank Bonini played a great game on defense for the Knights as Terry
O'Donnell, Dave Isenberg and Pat Morgan sparkled in the team's
championship effort.
Congratulations to Head Coach Rick
Talerico and Assistants Wes Watters, Mike Gerulas, Mark Licht and Rich
Roup on their fine job all season in bringing this Championship Victory
to the Brookline Knights Program. The Termites also staked their claim
to the first undefeated football season in Knight's history, a title that
they can keep for the rest of their lives.
In this "City of Champions,"
Pittsburgh has found a new partner to stand alongside the Steelers and
the Pirates; the Termites from Brookline!
* Reprinted from the Brookline Journal -
November 15, 1979 *
Game 9 - Brookline vs. Elizabeth-Forward
Undefeated
Termites Clinch Championship Berth
14-6 Over Elizabeth-Forward
Brookline's 11-year olds traveled
to Elizabeth-Forward on Sunday, and in a battle of unbeatens came away
with a 14-6 victory, clinching a berth in the championship game, to be
played November 10.
After kicking off to start the
game, the defense, which has been outstanding all season, started the
scoring when Jary Ball picked off a pass in the flat and raced 45 yards
for the score. Brad Uhl's pass to Jerry O'Rourke for the point after was
broken up. Brookline 6 - Elizabeth Forward 0.
Elizabeth-Forward could not move
on the stubborn Knights defense, as Jerry O'Rourke and Tim Fedak crushed
the Warrior's fullback on a pitch out for a big loss. Jary Ball, Ray
Watters, Tim May and Mike Niemiec sacked the quarterback for a loss on the
next play.
The Knights offense started moving
behind the direction of quarterback Brad Uhl and the running of Tim Fedak,
Nino Rizza and Ron D'Onofrio. Uhl, running the option play to perfection
by either keeping the ball or tossing it to Rizza, moved the ball to
Elizabeth-Forward's 25, where the drive was stopped.
Elizabeth-Forward scored with less
than a minute left in the first half, as their quarterback hit one of the
running backs in the end zone for the score. The Knights defense held on
the extra point try, with great plays by Glenn Undereiner, Pat Morgan and
Chip Devine. The score at the half was tied 6-6.
As the second half unfolded, the
Knights offense, behind the blocking of Terry Ryan, Bill Kuss, Chuck
Ribeau, Don Jakubowski, Mike Niemiec and Frank Bonini, pressured the
Elizabeth-Forward defense. As Uhl continued running the option play with
Rizza trailing, the Knights drove to the Warrior 11 yard line. From here,
Uhl took a keeper in for the touchdown. The all-important extra point
was made on a pass over the middle to Ron D'Onofrio, making the score
14-6 Knights.
As the game became a defensive
duel, with each team holding their ground. Brookline managed to drive to
the Elizabeth-Forward 16, but the drive was stopped by a "fired-up" defense.
With time running out in the game, Elizabeth-Forward moved the ball on
Brookline's defense to mid-field where they fumbled the ball away.
Brookline recovered the loose ball as time ran out.
"It was a great victory," stated
Coach Rick Talerico after the game. "These boys have worked hard to get
here and have one more step to go, the championship." Other scores:
Elizabeth Forward 22 - Brookline Cubs 6, Elizabeth-Forward 50 - Brookline
Mighty Mites 0, Elizabeth-Forward 48 - Brookline
Midgets 16.
* Reprinted from the Brookline Journal -
November 1, 1979 *
Game 8 - Brookline vs. West Jefferson
Termites
Continue Undefeated Over West Jefferson 28-0
Brookline's 11-year olds took on
the tough West Jefferson Jets on Saturday and broke loose in the second
half for 3 touchdowns to win 28-0. Nino Rizza rambled 30 yards to open the
scoring in the second period for Brookline. Ron D'Onofrio made the points
after on a dive play giving the Knights an 8-0 lead.
After good defensive plays by Jary
Ball, Glenn Undereiner and Jerry O'Rourke, Brookline began to get
stronger. Terry Ryan and Tim Fedak sacked the Jets QB on a fourth and
goal situation.
The second half was all Brookline,
as Brad Uhl scored on a 52 yard keeper behind the great blocking of Nino
Rizza and Jary Ball. Brookline 14 - Jets 0.
On the Jets next possession, they
could gain only 2 yards as the Knights defense stiffened. Tim May, Jary
Ball and Ray Watters all made great stops. The Knights took charge after
West Jefferson punted. Ron D'Onofrio rambled 8 yards off tackle to the 50.
Rizza ran for 3. Brad Uhl galloped to the 22 on a keeper. Then Rizza
took a flat pass from Uhl and broke loose down the sidelines for a
touchdown. Uhl's pass to Terry O'Donnell for the point after was broken
up, leaving the score 20-0 Brookline.
The Jets could not move on the
stubborn Knights defense as Tim Fedak crushed the West Jefferson fullback
on a reverse for a big loss. Brookline took over and looked impressive as
Brad Uhl tossed a 30 yard touchdown strike to Ron D'Onofrio, who rambled
into the end zone for the score. Jerry O'Rourke scored the points after
on a reverse, making it 28-0 Brookline.
Mark Hovanec recovered a Jets
fumble as Pat Foley and Mike Niemiec made a good hit on the ball carrier.
Chip Devine, Bill Kuss, Eric Graham and Bob Malley did a fine job on
defense in the victory.
* Reprinted from the Brookline Journal -
October 25, 1979 *
Game 7 - Brookline vs. Steel Valley
Undefeated
Termites Roll Over Steel Valley 16-0.
"Thank heaven for the defense" was
Coach Rick Talerico's comment regarding his teams 16-0 win on
Sunday.
The Knight's strong defensive
charge continually gave the offense good field position but they could
generate no points on the scoreboard. The defensive unit yielded only two
first downs all day. The Steel Valley ball carriers were given little
yardage and the Steeler quarterback was sacked seven times.
Jary Ball, Ray Watters, Glenn
Undereiner, Mike Niemiec, Bob Malley, Tim May, Dave Isenberg and Jerry
O'Rourke were outstanding as the defense sparkled. The first half ended
scoreless as turnovers and penalties marred the offensive
effort.
Brad Uhl scampered 50 yards for a
score that was nullified by a penalty. This sparked the offense in the
second half as they came out looking like a different team. As third
quarter action unfolded, Tim Fedak, Brad Uhl, Nino Rizza and Ron D'Onofrio
got rolling for sizable gains, behind good blocking by Bill Kuss, Chuck
Ribeau and Chip Devine. Brookline got on the scoreboard with a beautiful
touchdown pass from Brad Uhl to Jerry O'Rourke. Uhl broke over the middle
for the extra points, making the score 8-0 Knights.
The Knights scored again when Nino
Rizza broke loose on an end sweep and outran everybody for a 25 yard
touchdown. Uhl passed to Jary Ball for the conversion to give Brookline a
16-0 lead. Ray Watter's 30 yard touchdown run was called back on a
penalty.
Mike Bucci, Pat Borelli, Mark
Hovanec, Tom Rose and Don Jakubowski played an outstanding
game.
* Reprinted from the Brookline Journal -
October 18, 1979 *
Game 6 - Brookline vs. Beltzhoover
Undefeated
Termites Squeak By Beltzhoover 12-8
Brookline's 11-year olds slid past
Beltzhoover in a muddy non-conference game at home this
weekend.
The Knights took the opening
kick-off and drove to the Brown's 15, where the initial drive stalled.
After an exchange of punts, Brookline hit paydirt on a beautiful 25 yard
jaunt by Nino Rizza. Rizza took the handoff from Brad Uhl and went off
tackle, where Chip Devine, Mike Niemiec and Donnie Jakubowski opened up a
tremendous hole. Rizza did the rest, as he out-raced several speedy
Beltzhoover defensive backs to make the score 6-0,
Brookline.
Rizza later put the Knights on the
scoreboard again with a 50 yard gallop after he intercepted an errant
Beltzhoover pass. Good blocking by Ray Watters and Jary Ball broke Rizza
loose on his scamper into the end zone.
The defense controlled the game
from this point on, as they did not yield a first down in the entire
first half.
The Knights offense moved the ball
exceptionally well, considering the condition of the playing surface. Ron
D'Onofrio caught 4 passes from Brad Uhl, and running backs Tim Fedak and
Nino Rizza kept the ground game moving.
Beltzhoover scored a consolation
touchdown in the fourth period as the Brookline coaches shuffled players
into the game.
Chuck Ribeau, Bill Kuss, Glenn
Undereiner and Jerry O'Rourke were outstanding on defense as they
continually stalled the Beltzhoover offensive machine, which had been so
potent in weeks past.
* Reprinted from the Brookline Journal -
October 11, 1979 *
Game 5 - Brookline vs. West Mifflin
Eleven Year
Olds Remain Unbeaten 8-6
Brookline's undefeated Termites
won a close one on Sunday as they got by a tough West Mifflin team 8-6.
The Knights were forced to punt on the first series as they were stymied
by penalties on the sloppy turf. The punt only went for 6 yards, then
West Mifflin scored on a burst up the middle. The conversion failed. West
Mifflin 6 - Brookline 0.
Early in the 2nd quarter, the
Knights potent offense started to move. Nino Rizza, Ron D'Onofrio and Brad
Uhl pounded the West Mifflin defense for a 65 yard drive. The Knight's
touchdown came on a 20 yard pass from Brad Uhl to Terry O'Donnell. The
points after were tallied by Nino Rizza on a beautiful end sweep.
Brookline 8 - West Mifflin 6.
The scoring drive was highlighted
with great blocking by Pat Ryan, Bill Kuss, Mike Niemiec, Don Jakubowski
and Glenn Undereiner.
The second half was a defensive
struggle. Brookline controlled the ball for most of the fourth period.
The defense, considered the strength of the Termite team, was
outstanding as Tim Fedak, Ray Watters, Tim May and Brad Uhl played
"heads up" football. Jary Ball, as usual, punted well and was wreckless
on defense.
The Knights play Beltzhoover at
home this weekend.
* Reprinted from the Brookline Journal -
October 4, 1979 *
Game 4 - Brookline vs. Clairton
Termites
Undefeated With A Big 8-0 Win
Head Coach Rick Talerico's Knights
remained unbeaten in 4 games as they got by a tough Clairton aggregation
last Saturday at the Brookline Community Center. The Knights were not
playing their usual explosive game and Clairton was penalized 25 yards
early on for off-sides infractions.
Ron D'onofrio rambled 42 yards for
Brookline's lone touchdown as he took the handoff from Brad Uhl on a
great fake. Blocking by Terry Ryan and Billy Kuss broke D'Onofrio loose
for the score. Nino Rizza made the 2-point conversion on a pitch-out to
give the Knights an 8-0 lead in the first quarter.
After the score, neither team
moved the ball as the game turned into a defensive struggle. Glenn
Undereiner, Terry Ryan, Don Jakubowski, Chip Devine, and Mike Niemiec
were outstanding defensively throughout the contest. Ray Watters and
Jerry O'Rourke made key interceptions to insure the victory.
The game ended with Brookline
driving to Clairton's 8 yard line on fine running by Brad Uhl, Tim
Fedak, Nino Rizza, and Frank Bonini.
Jary Ball boomed several fine
punts and made several key plays on defense.
* Reprinted from the Brookline Journal -
September 27, 1979 *
Game 3 - Brookline vs. Duquesne
Termites Crush
Duquesne 36-0 To Stay Undefeated
The Brookline Termites ran their
record to 2 wins, no losses and a tie as they crushed a good Duquesne
team 36-0 last Sturday at the Dukes field.
Quarterback Brad Uhl opened the
scoring in the first quarter with an 11 yard scamper on great blocks by
Jerry O'Rourke, Chip Devine and Glenn Undereiner. Nino Rizza ran for
the conversion to make the score 8-0 Knights. Late in the second period,
Nino Rizza broke loose with a 12 yard romp on a draw play for Brookline's
second score. Frank Bonini bolted in for the extra point. Brookline 16 -
Dukes 0.
Duquesne could not move the ball
on the stubborn Brookline defense and on the next series Frank Bonini
scored on a 15 yard jaunt with great blocks by Mike Niemiec and Billy
Kuss. Brookline 22-0.
Brad Uhl took off on a 37 yard TD
run in the 4th period on good blocking by Jary Ball, Terry O'Donnell, Ray
Watters and Nino Rizza. Tim Fedak scored the extra points. 30-0
Knights.
Fedak later broke
loose with a 45 yard scamper on an excellent draw play fake by Brad Uhl
to make the final score 36-0 Brookline.
The defense was great on tough
hitting by Ray Watters, Jary Ball, Pat Morgan, Don Jakubowski and Dave
Isenberg.
Head coach Rick
Talerico praised the teams efforts and the 220 yards of total offense.
Defensive coaches Wes Watters and Mark Licht were proud of the defensive
players. It was a great team effort.
* Reprinted from the Brookline Journal -
September 20, 1979 *
Game 2 - Brookline vs. Crafton
Termites Tie
Crafton Cougars 6-6 In A Hard Fought Contest
Rich Talerico's 11-year olds took
it to Crafton last Saturday and should have won as they out-played a
great Cougar team. Crafton scored early on a plunge by Eric Kelly and
took a 6-0 lead. Tim May broke up the conversion attempt with a hard hit
on the Cougar fullback.
On Crafton's next series, Jary
Ball sacked the quarterback and Brad Uhl saved a Cougar touchdown with a
great hit. Nino Rizza and Ray Watters along with Tim Fedak made great
defensive plays just before the half.
Brookline mounted a scoring
drive in the third quarter to tie the game after Glenn Undereiner
recovered a Crafton fumble. Rizza ran 15 yards to the 25. Brad Uhl went
for 7 on a sweep. Then Uhl stepped back and hit Eric Graham with a
perfect pass in the end zone to tie the game.
In the fourth period, it was all
Brookline as Uhl, Fedak, and Rizza pounded the Crafton line for big
yardage. The game ended with Brookline on the Crafton one foot line as
time ran out.
Nike Niemiec, Don Jakubowski,
Chip Devine, Terry O'Donnell and Jary Ball all had fine defensive plays
in the contest. The Knight's record is now 1 win, 1 tie, no
losses.
* Reprinted from the Brookline Journal -
September 13, 1979 *
* Photos and information
provided by Mrs. Pat Uhl * |
