Youth Scene: Newport-Mesa Pee Wee Seahawks capture league title; remain perfect
If you check with Mr. Webster you’ll find a Seahawk is a predatory seabird or a U.S. Navy helicopter. After Saturday’s game there should be consideration for adding a definition to include words like determined, tough, focused, goal oriented, disciplined.
A picture of the Newport-Mesa Junior All-American Pee-Wee football team should appear side by side with these new words.
The victory over the Inglewood Redskins keeps the Seahawks’ perfect 9-0 season alive. As opponents become more elite, the Seahawks have risen to the occasion every time. With a hard-fought 40–14 win, the Seahawks move one more game closer to their goal.
The Newport-Mesa Pee-Wee Seahawks (ages 10-12) captured the Orange County Junior All-American Football NFL Atlantic League title with the win and are now one win from the Super Bowl. They play again Saturday at 7 p.m. against the South Bay Packers at San Juan Hills High. The winner advances to the OCJAAF Super Bowl Nov. 29 at Jackie Robinson Stadium in Los Angeles.
The keys to victory were a running attack led by Adam Molloy with 81 yards and two touchdowns and Davyon Lesure supporting with an additional four carries for 54 rushing yards.
General Booty threw for 81 yards, including 67 to Robert Rahimi on four catches and a touchdown.
Mason Gecowets contributed with an important 16-yard touchdown grab. While the offense stay focused, the Seahawk defense played huge forcing six Redskin turnovers resulting in 24 Seahawk points. Also of special importance were special-team plays with punts keeping the Redskins deep in their own territory and a recovered onside kick.
After the game opened with both teams exchanging possessions, the Seahawks struck first with a 61-yard touchdown run by Molloy. The kick was good making the score Seahawks 8, Redskins 0.
On the next play from scrimmage Inglewood scored on a 50-yard run to make it, 8-6. After exchanging possessions, the Seahawks turned a Redskin muffed punt into points on a pass from Booty to Rahimi for a 19-yard touchdown. With the end of the first quarter the score was Seahawks 16, Redskins 6.
The second quarter was an exchange of field position. On a questionable fourth-and-three from their own 19-yard line with 1:02 left, the Redskins decided to go for it. The Seahawks defense held tough led by Jake Caldwell, Tyler Narayan, Jaden Genova, Charlie Levis, Cole Rener and Michael Gallegos. Inglewood could not run the ball between the tackles. The change of possession led to a 16-yard touchdown pass from Booty to Gecowets with only 17 seconds before halftime.
The score after two quarters: Seahawks 24, Redskins 6.
The Seahawks defense dominated in the second half. Midway through the third quarter, Rahimi recovered a fumble in the Redskins backfield and returned the turnover for a Newport touchdown to make it, 32–6. To end the third quarter, Inglewood scored its final touchdown making it a bit closer at, 32–14.
The Seahawks defense was not about to let the game get any more interesting. The defensive secondary forced three Redskin interceptions in the final period.
On the Redskins’ first two possessions of the fourth quarter, Ethan Garbers recorded consecutive interceptions to completely stifle any chance of an Inglewood rally.
Along with Garbers, T.J. Blue, Anthony Davidson, Brendan Duffy and Jack McKenna played with intensity keeping the Inglewood receivers from any big plays. The defensive secondary held firm and focused.
The final Seahawk score came on three consecutive running plays by Molloy making the final score Seahawks 40, Redskins 14.
With 5:11 left, and playing with desperation, the Redskins began their final drive. The game ended with another interception by Duffy.
The perfect season remains intact. The Seahawks are now part of the final four teams. As the opposition gets tougher the Seahawks continue to rise to the occasion.
Next time I look for the information about a Seahawk I suspect the description should include terms such as courageous, intense determination, willingness to face a challenge and succeed, and most importantly a desire to support one another and accomplish great results.
— Submitted by Daniel Davidson