New Hartford, NY October 21, 2000
The New Hartford Bears lost a very hard fought battle, 21-6, to a very aggressive and physical North Utica Raider team. Game captains Fran Barres, Mark Calenzo, Edmund Timpano and Robert Culyer won the opening toss and the Bears chose to start on offense. The drive was hampered by a clipping penalty and the Bears were forced to punt. The Raiders quickly drove the field to take a 7-0 lead.
The Bears returned on offense for the second time and it was 3 plays and a punt. The punt was a beauty, forty yards to the Raider 30-yard line, but was negated by an illegal procedure penalty. The re-kick was caught and returned to the Bear 45 yard line. The Raiders needed only 3 plays to score again and take a 14-0 lead. The Bears returned to offense for a third time. It looked like a Bear touchdown on a nicely executed screen pass from Fran Barres to Joe Russo; but it was not to be. The play was called back on another Bear penalty. The Raiders could not move the ball on their third possession and the Bears were back on offense. The first play was an excellent 51-yard touchdown run by Mark Calenzo and the first half ended with the Raiders leading 14-6.
The second half was a blur as the cameraman dropped his camera to make it in operative. The Raiders scored one more time in the second half as they played excellent defense to shut down the Bears. The game ended with the Bears on the short end of a 21-6 ballgame.
New Hartford, NY October 15, 2000
Game captains Anthony DeNicola, Chris Hensel, Robert Culyer and Michael Martoccia won the opening toss and the Bears started the game against the Frankfort Knights on offense. The offensive unit had Kevin Dwyer, Edmund Timpano, Paul Raymond, Tony Montana, Niles Miller, Travis Brown and Justin Hayes on the line. Fran Barres, Mark Calenzo, Anthony DeNicola, and Joe Russo were in the backfield. It was 3 plays and a punt against a stubborn Knight defense. The Bear defensive unit had Michael Hernon, Michael Martoccia, David Mathias, Robert Culyer and George Jweid on the line, Paul Raymond, Mark Calenzo and Fran Barres at the linebackers and Chris Hensel, Joe Russo and Anthony DeNicola in the secondary. On the second play the Knights ran around their right end for a 42-yard TD and a 6-0 lead.
The Bears did much better on their second possession. They made three first downs on an 11-play drive before being stopped on the Frankfort Knight's 10-yard line by a pass interception. The Knights continued to moved the ball down field and marched down to the Bear 20 yard line. It looked like it was going to be a long day. However, the Bear defensive started to play inspired football and the Bears were back on offense. A pass from Barres to DeNicola moved the ball into Knight territory. Robert Babrowicz, Marc Pitarresi and Nicholas Rovou were playing backside line as Mark Calenzo and Joe Russo powered the ball to the 3-yard line. Fran Barres then skirted the left end to tie the score at 6-6.
The Knight's second possession was 3 plays and a punt. With Donald Schug, Brendan Lennon and Sean Dwyer playing backside line the Bears were on offense for a third time. A pass from Barres to Justin Hayes moved the ball to the Knight 3 yard line. Fran Barres then scored through the middle of the line behind excellent blocking by Robert Culyer, Tony Montana and Paul Raymond. The first half ended with the score 12-6.
The Bears got off to an excellent start in the second half. Robert Culyer and David Desens sacked the Knight QB on successive plays. Culyer then blocked the Knight punt attempted and recovered the ball on the Knight 17-yard line. Five plays later Fran Barres passed to Anthony DeNicola in the end zone for the third Bear score of the game. The Beard defense, bolstered by Brendan and David Desens, continued to dominate as the Knight's were held to one first down before being forced to punt.
With Brandon Misiaszek at QB and Donald Schug, Marc Pitarresi and Sean Dwyer on the line the Bears quickly scored again. Justin Hayes started the series with a 37-yard run around the outside. Marc Calenzo and Joe Russo then pounded the middle of the Knight line until Calenzo was able to score on a 6-yard gain off tackle to make the score 24-6.
Each team had 5 additional second half possessions as hard hitting by both teams caused several fumbles and turnovers. The Knights scored one more time to make the score 24-12. The game ended as Donald Hudson, George Jweid, and Robert Culyer made the final first down of the game.
The Bear coaching staff stated," We played a good game against a good team. We will have to play even better if we are going to win the next two games against the North Utica Raiders and the Clinton Warriors".
New Hartford, NY October 8, 2000
Game captains Joe Russo, Mark Calenzo, Paul Raymond and Edmund Timpano lost the opening toss and the Mount Markham Colts chose to start on offense. The Bears started the game with Michael Hernon, Michael Martoccia, David Mathias, Robert Culyer and George Jweid on the defensive line, Paul Raymond, Mark Calenzo and Chris Hensel at the linebackers and Fran Barres, Joe Russo and Anthony DeNicola in the secondary. The Colts executed a 13-play drive down to the Bear 10-yard before they were stopped by a vicious tackle by Fran Barres while trying to skirt the left end.
With Kevin Dwyer, Edmund Timpano, Paul Raymond, Tony Montana, Niles Miller, Travis Brown and Justin Hayes playing offensive line, Barres, Calenzo, Brandon Misiaszek and Russo in the backfield, the Bears could not move the ball as they were hampered by a penalty and a fumble on which they lost possession of the ball. The Colts were then held to 3 plays and a punt; however, the Bears could not take advantage of the situation. They fumbled and lost the ball on the second play. It was an errant pitch around the right end.
The Colts were back on offense. On their third play the QB dropped back to pass and Fran Barres took the ball away from him and ran 49 yards for a Bear TD. The snap for the extra point was bobbled and the half ended with the score 6-0.
The Bears started the second half on offense on their own 35-yard line. The first play was a fumble the Colts recovered. The Colts then broke a 33-yard TD run around their right end. The extra point kick was low and the score remained 6-6.
The Bears then executed a nine play drive to the Colt 10-yard line but could not score as a counter to the left side failed. The Colts were then held to 3 plays and a punt. A broken play and a fumble stopped the Bears third second half drive when the QB open to the wrong side. The Colts then executed 13-play drive to score the final TD of the game. The extras point kick was good and the score was 14-6 in favor of the Colts. The Bears had two more possessions but could not move the ball against a stubborn Colt defense.
The Bear coaching staff stated," We made too many mistakes. You can't make that many mistakes and expect to beat a good team like the Colts".
Ilion, NY October 1, 2000
Game captains Fran Barres, Mark Calenzo, Robert Culyer and Kevin Dwyer lost the opening toss and the Ilion Angels chose to start on offense. The Bears started the game with Michael Hernon, Michael Martoccia, David Mathias, Robert Culyer and Kevin Dwyer on the defensive line, Paul Raymond, Mark Calenzo and Chris Hensel at the linebackers and Fran Barres, Joe Russo and Anthony DeNicola in the secondary. Kevin Dwyer recovered an Angel fumble on the first play of the game to give the Bears excellent field position.
With Kevin Dwyer, Edmund Timpano, Paul Raymond, Tony Montana, Niles Miller, Travis Brown and Justin Hayes playing offensive line, Barres, Calenzo, Brandon Misiaszek and Russo in the backfield, the Bears quickly moved the ball downfield to the 5-yard line. Barres then scored through the middle of the line for the initial score of the game. The extra point-kicking unit had Kevin Dwyer, Timpano, Raymond, Culyer, Michael Martoccia and Tony Montana on the line with Calenzo snapping, Russo and Barres at the halfbacks, Brandon Misiaszek holding and Clayton Tunney kicking. The kick split the uprights and the Bears lead 8-0.
The Angels then executed a very nice 9-play drive to the Bear 24-yard line before Paul Raymond intercepted an Ilion pass, which he returned to mid field. The Bears could not capitalize on the situation as they fumbled the ball away on the very next play. Ilion could do no better as Michael Hernon sacked the Angel QB to make the situation fourth down and 9 yards to go. The next play was a completed pass to the right flat that was stopped short of a first down by an outstanding tackle by Chris Hensel.
The Bears started their third possession on their own 47-yard line. Four plays later Fran Barres swept the left end for 17-yards and a TD. The extra point team performed to perfection and the Bears were ahead 16-0. The defense again held the Angels to four plays. The fourth was a punt to the Bear 40-yard line. From there the Bears executed a ten-play drive, which featured a 30-yard pass play from Clayton Tunney to Fran Barres. Joe Russo then scored through the line behind fine blocking by Paul Raymond and Edmund Timpano. The extra point team performed to perfection for the third time and the score was 24-0.
The defensive unit led by Nick Rovou, Marc Pitarresi, Robert Babrowicz, Brendan Lennon, Donald Schug, Travis Brown, Sean Dwyer, Niles Miller, David Desens, DJ Hudson and Clayton Tunney stopped the next Angel drive on the Bear 4-yard line as the first half ended.
However, the Angels were not to be denied as they scored on their next two possessions. After the second TD, Marc Pitarresi blocked the extra point kick attempt and the score was 24-12. Mark Calenzo ran for the final TD of the game, Joe Russo ran for the extra point and the game ended with the score 31-12.
The coaching staff praised the entire team for a job well done. Coach Denz stated," We did a good job of eliminating the mistakes we made last week. We must really work hard next week to get ready for an excellent Mount Markham team. We will have to be at our best to beat them."
West Utica, NY September 26, 2000
The New Hartford Bears squeaked past the West Utica Jaguars, 14 -12, in a hard fought battle at the Notre Dame football field. Game captains Fran Barres, Mark Calenzo, Paul Raymond and Edmund Timpano lost the opening toss and the Jaguars chose to start on offense. The Bears started the game with Michael Hernon, Michael Martoccia, David Mathias, Robert Culyer and Kevin Dwyer on the defensive line, Joe Russo, Mark Calenzo and Chris Hensel at the linebackers and Fran Barres, Carlo Pugliano and Anthony DeNicola in the secondary. It was 3 plays and a punt for the Jaguars. The punt was a beauty, 41 yards to the Bear 24 yard line.
With George Jweid, Edmund Timpano, Paul Raymond, Tony Montana, Robert Culyer, Travis Brown and Justin Hayes playing offensive line, Barres, Calenzo, Pugliano and Russo in the backfield, the Bears were unable to move the ball. It was 3 plays and a punt. The punt was caught on the Jaguar 48-yard line. The punting unit did a good job of tying up the ball carrier; however he was able to hand off the ball to a teammate who scooted downfield for 50 yards and the 1st TD of the game. The extra point attempt failed and the Jaguars lead 6-0.
The Bears quickly moved the ball to the Jaguar 12-yard line on a beautiful pass from Pugliano to Hayes. The Bears were unable to capitalize and were back on defense. Once again the Jaguars were held to 3 plays and a punt. Barres received the punt and made an excellent return to the Jaguar 5 Yard time. Two players later Russo scored through a huge hole made by Raymond and Timpano. The extra point-kicking unit had Jweid, Timpano, Raymond, Culyer, Michael Martoccia and Kevin Dwyer on the line with Calenzo snapping, Russo and Barres at the halfbacks, Brandon Misiaszek holding and Clayton Tunney kicking. The kick split the uprights and the Bears lead 8-6.
On their next possession, the Bears scored again. The big play was a 25-yard pass from Calenzo to Barres. Pugliano then passed to Russo for a TD. The extra point attempt failed and the score remained 14-6. The Bears had another opportunity to score when Barres intercepted a Jaguar pass on the fifty-yard line. Clayton Tunney, Robert Babrowicz, Donald Schug. Brendan Lennon, Marc Pitarresi and Sean Dwyer entered the game to play offensive line. Brandon Misiaszek, Nicholas Rovou, DJ Hudson and David Desens entered to play in the backfield. The Jaguar defense stiffened and the half ended with the score 14-6.
The second half was a defensive battle. Neither team could score until the Jaguars moved the ball to the Bear 5-yard on 45-yard punt return. With a lot of courage and determination the Jaguars scored with 0.8 seconds left in the game. The Bears blocked the extra point attempt and the game ended with the score 14-12.
The coaching staff praised the entire team for doing a great job against a strong aggressive team. Coach Denz stated," We won even though we made a ton of mistakes. We must really work hard in the coming weeks to improve. We are going to face several formidable opponents and must push our performance up a notch to have a successful season."
New Hartford, NY September 17, 2000
Game captains Robert Culyer, Michael Hernon, Chris Hensel and Tony Montana won the opening toss and lead the New Hartford Bears to a 26-12 victory over the West Canada Valley Indians. The game started with George Jweid, Edmund Timpano, Paul Raymond, Tony Montana, Niles Miller, Travis Brown and Justin Hayes playing offensive line. After two fine running plays by Fran Barres and Joe Russo put the ball was on the Indian's 8 yard line, a pass by QB Carlo Pugliano was incomplete. Mark Calenzo then ran the ball in for the first score of the game. The extra point-kicking unit had Jweid, Timpano, Raymond, Culyer, Martoccia and Kevin Dwyer on the line with Mark Calenzo snapping. Russo and Barres were the halfbacks. Brandon Misiaszek was the holder and Clayton Tunney did the kicking. The kick was off target and the score remained 6-0.
Michael Hernon, Michael Martoccia, David Mathias, Robert Culyer and Kevin Dwyer entered the game to play on the defensive line. The linebackers were Joe Russo, Mark Calenzo and Chris Hensel. Fran Barres, Carlo Pugliano and Anthony DeNicola played in the secondary. The Indians were held to 3 plays and a punt. Each of the next two Bear drives were stopped when the ball was fumbled and lost by the running back. The Indian's third possession ended quickly when Kevin Dwyer tackled the Indian passer in the end zone for a safety.
With the score 8-0 Nicholas Rovou, Sean Dwyer, Travis Brown, Donald Schug, Brendan Lennon, Robert Babrowicz, Marc Pitarresi, Brandon Misiaszek entered the game to play offensive line. Niles Miller, DJ Hudson, David Desens and Clayton Tunney entered the game to play in the backfield. This unit moved the ball down field on what appeared to be a broken play. The starting unit returned to the field and Fran Barres scored around the left end behind an excellent block by Joe Russo. The kick was off target and the score remained 14-0. On the next possession Joe Russo scored around the right end behind an excellent block by Fran Barres. Needless to say, the line was also doing an excellent job of blocking. The kick was off target and the half ended with the score 20-0.
DJ Hudson scored on the second play of the second half when he picked up an Indian fumble and scampered 38 yards for the Bears fourth and final score of the game. The Indians were not to be denied. They scored the next two touchdowns as the game ended with the score 26-12.
The coaching staff praised the entire team for a job well done; but stressed that the team made too many penalties and fumbles. Coach Denz stated, "We must eliminate all these unforced errors if we are going to beat our stronger opponents.
New Hartford, NY September 10, 2000
Game captains Joe Russo, Mark Calenzo, George Jweid and Michael Martoccia lost the opening toss and Dolgeville Shockers elected to take the ball. The Bears started the game with Michael Hernon, Michael Martoccia, David Mathias, Robert Culyer and Kevin Dwyer on the defensive line, Joe Russo, Mark Calenzo and Chris Hensel at the linebackers and Fran Barres, Clayton Tunney and Carlo Pugliano in the secondary. After 3 plays it was 4th and 4. The Shockers faked a punt, had the 1st down made when a host of Bear tacklers caused a fumble, which was recovered by Carlo Pugliano. With George Jweid, Edmund Timpano, Paul Raymond, Tony Montana, Niles Miller, Travis Brown and Justin Hayes playing offensive line, the Bears needed only two plays for Joe Russo to score on a 20-yard run up the middle. The extra point-kicking unit had Jweid, Timpano, Raymond, Culyer, Martoccia and Kevin Dwyer on the line with Mark Calenzo snapping, Russo and Barres at the halfbacks, Brandon Misiaszek holding and Tunney kicking. They executed perfectly and the score was quickly 8-0.
The defensive unit again held the Shockers to 4 plays. The Bears started marching downfield again when a vicious tackle caused a fumble that the Shockers recovered deep in their own territory. Four plays later Calenzo and Martoccia tackled the Shocker punter for a safety to make the score 10-0. The Bears then had the ball on the 50-yard line. Excellent blocking by Timpano, Jweid and Russo resulted in a 50-yard touchdown run by Calenzo. The kicking unit again performed to perfection and the score was 18-0.
Sean Dwyer, Brendan Lennon, DJ Hudson, Robert Babrowicz, and Paul Synder took over on the defensive line. Marc Pitarresi, Donald Schug, Niles Miller and Nick Rovou took over as linebackers and Brandon Misiaszek, Clayton Tunney and David Desens played in secondary. They tenaciously held the Shockers to a see saw 11 play drive before taking possession of the ball on the Shocker 37-yard line. Desens, Miller and Hudson moved the ball down to the 8-yard line before Tunney passed to Misiaszek in the end zone for a touchdown. The extra point pass attempt was incomplete and the score remained 24-0.
The Shockers scored on their next two possessions to close the score to 24-12. In the 4th quarter Fran Barres scamper through the line for a 53-yard touchdown run. Perfect execution by the kicking team made the score 32-12. The Shockers then executed an 8-play drive for another touchdown. David Desens blocked the extra point kick and the score was 32-18.
The Bears scored one more time as Paul Raymond, behind excellent line blocking, powered the ball down field to the 25-yard line on 6 carries. As Raymond rested, a Pugliano toss to Hensel was fumbled in the backfield. Pugliano alertly recovered the ball. Justin Hayes then ran around the left end for 38-yards and the final score of the game. The holder bobbled the snap for the extra point and the game ended with the score 38-18.
The coaching staff praised the entire team for a job well done; but stressed that the team must work harder to eliminate unforced errors.
Waterville, NY September 3, 200 - Game captains Fran Barres, Carlo Pugliano, Paul Raymond and Edmund Timpano won the opening toss and elected to take the ball. The Bears quickly marched down the field behind excellent line blocking by George Jweid, Edmund Timpano, Paul Raymond, Tony Montana, Niles Miller, Travis Brown and Justin Hayes. Joe Russo swept the left end for the first score of the game. Mark Calenzo snapped for the extra point, Brandon Misaiszek was the holder and Anthony DiNicola was the kicker. The kick was true; however, it was nullified by a penalty. The re-kick was wide left and the Bears led 6-0.
The defensive led by Michael Hernon, Michael Martoccia, David Mathias, Robert Culyer, Kevin Dwyer, Chris Hensel and Clayton Tunney held the Waterville Eagles to 3 plays and a punt. With Donald Schug, Robert Babrowicz and Sean Dwyer playing offensive line, the Bears mounted an error free 7 play drive as Joe Russo once again scored around the left side of the line. The replacement kicker missed the try for the extra point and the score remained 12-0.
Both teams played good defense as they exchanged punts. The Eagle's fourth possession then ended with a punt to Brandon Misiaszek, which he returned to the Eagle 48-yard line. Once again the Eagle defense stiffened and the Bears could not score as they were stopped deep in Eagle territory. With their backs to the wall the Eagles attempted a pass which Joe Russo intercepted and returned for a touchdown. Once again the extra point attempt was off target and the score remained 18-0.
The Eagle offensive exploded on the very next play as they scored on a 65-yard touchdown run around their left end. The extra point attempt failed and the score remained 18-6. Once again both teams played excellent defense as they traded punts. Bear fullbacks Mark Calenzo and Chris Hensel then drove down the field as Paul Snyder and Nicholas Rovou blocked on the line. Calenzo scampered in to make the score 24-6.
The Bear defense bolstered by the fine play of David Desens, Marc Pitarresi, Brendan Lennon, stopped the Eagles their next possession. Not to be denied, an Eagle defender intercepted a Bear pass to set up the second Eagle touchdown. The score was now 24-12. Carlo Pugliano then intercepted the ball to set up the final touchdown of the game, a very fine run by Mark Calenzo. The final score was 30-12.
Coach Denz and coach Deyo were elated with the fine line play of the Bears. They stated, "Our line really did a great job. We are proud of them." Coach Nevits cautioned the team that they made mistakes on both sides of the ball and must work hard to eliminate them. Coach Desens said, "We will improve."
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