Springfield CYO: SFA beat St. Pius

SFA Junior Varsity

SFA 46

St. Pius 13

The St. Francis of Assisi (SFA) fifth- and sixth-grade football team routed St. Pius last Friday night. SFA raised its record to 9-2.

SFA scored on all four offensive possessions in the first half: Andrew Paulus bulled up the middle twice from five and 15 yards; Kyle Long swept around end from 38 yards; and Nicky Kutufaris raced 35 yards off tackle to record the touchdowns. David Strawley booted an extra point, and Greg Tamaccio also ran in an extra point.

The defense did not allow a first down in the opening half, and the half came to a close with SFA on top 27-0.

There was no scoring in the third quarter, but in the fourth quarter both teams combined for five scores. SFA struck first as Derek Stain scored from three yards out.

St. Pius finally got on the board with a long scoring pass, but then Kutufaris returned the proceeding kickoff 65 yards to pay dirt.

St. Pius added another touchdown and extra point, but SFA answered right back as Kutufaris once again found a running lane and returned the kick-off 60 yards into the end zone. The two kick-off returns for touchdowns in one quarter was a first in SFA's 36-year history. Strain added the extra point to complete the scoring.

SFA accumulated 256 rushing yards as linemen Nick Matty, Strawley, Connor Sadoff, Chris Alfonsi, Joey Radico, Jared Morris, Kevin McKeon, Michael Ward, Jerry Curran, Jimmy Schneider, Alex Grafstrom, Chris DiRenzo, Nick Cutuli, Matt Reis, Matt Bendyna and Chris Delaney dominated the line of scrimmage.

Leading tacklers for SFA were Paulus, Curran, McKeon, Strawley, Andrew Pickett, Sadoff, Morris, Matty, Alfonsi, Mike Conran, Cutuli, Stephen D'Amico, Delaney, DiRenzo, Adam Klein, Schneider, Strain and Kutufaris. In addition, Reis blocked a punt and Morris recovered a fumble.

SFA plays their final game of the season on Thanksgiving Day at Springfield High School at noon against Holy Cross, with the varsity starting off the festivities at 10 a.m.