SYC 80-Pound are Bert Bell Champs

SYC 80-pound Varsity became the 2010 Bert Bell Champions after defeating Kennett-Union. The team ended its season with an incredible 13-0 record. Team members are Jake Vaughan, Anthony Rightley, Mike Eberhardt, Nick Cariola, Tanner Robinson, Brendan Weaver, Jimmy O'Neill, Aiden Shandley, Pat Dougherty, Kevin Rechner, Klaus Gabel, Steven Griffin, Joe Pontano, Pat Marley, Brendan Hilden, Pat McCann. Coaches are Carlo DiMichele, Rob Simpson, Ed Gutowski, Sal Scarpato, Jeremy Cavanaugh, Lou DiMichele, and Joe Dougherty.

80-Pound Varsity

Springfield – 20

Greater 69th Street - 6

Springfield came one step closer to a perfect, undefeated season by adding a big win over Greater 69th St in the Bert Bell Semi-Finals playoff game.

The Cougars defense played an extremely tough first quarter keeping 69th St. off the board with big stops by Klaus Gabel and Nick Cariola. Brendon Weaver, Jimmy O’Neill, and Mike Eberhardt stayed focused and helped prove the Cougars are the team to beat in the Bert Bell League.

The Cougars struck first with a fantastic 30-yard TD run by Anthony Rightley. Impressive blocking by Brendan Hilden and Aiden Shandley allowed Rightley to successfully add the extra point making it a 7–0 game.

Soon after, a perfectly completed pass by QB Pat Marley fell right into Rightley’s hands for a huge gain. Thanks to Jake Vaughan and Joe Pontano’s excellent blocking, Rightley added scored, making it a 13–0.

Rightley had another big touchdown run on the opening play of the second half. Kevin Rechner and Tanner Robinson executed strong blocks and created the necessary opening for Pat McCann to successfully push through and add the extra point making it a 20-0.

The Wildcats struck back late in the fourth quarter, making it a 20–6. However, Steven Griffin made sure that was where it stopped by coming up big with both a fumble recovery and an interception.

Pat Dougherty and Jake Bush kept their team pumped from the sidelines as the Cougars earned a place in the Bert Bell Championship game.

Springfield – 19

Kennett Unionville – 7

The Cougars completed a perfect 12–0 season on Nov. 20 with a systematic and convincing 19–7 victory over Kennett Unionville.

The victory, at Coatesville High School, captured the 80-pound Conference Championship of the Bert Bell Memorial Football Conference.

The first half was closely contested with the Cougars scoring on their first possession on a nifty 48-yard pass and run from Pat Marley to Anthony Rightley. Despite a strong ground attach from backs Steven Griffin, Pat McCann, and Tanner Robinson, the SYC was looking at a 7–6 halftime deficit. Things could have been worse if not for a game changing TD save and tackle by Rightley as the half expired.

The second half was all Blue and Gold as the aggressive and confident defensive unit of Klaus Gabel, Mike Eberhardt, Kevin Rechner, Jimmy O’Neill and Nick Cariola repeatedly stopped the Titans. This allowed the powerful Cougars offensive unit of Brendan Hilden, Aiden Shandley, Jake Vaughan, Brendon Weaver and Joe Pontano to make big plays and orchestrate a time consuming drive that lead to two second half TDs by QB Marley.

Pat Dougherty, as usual, kept his teammates focused and spirits high.

The entire team and coaching staff had an amazing season, and earned SYC’s first 80-pound Bert Bell Championship win since 1984. It was a season no one will soon forget.