Hamilton, NY Octber 21, 1998 - The New Hartford Senior Cubs Pop Warner Football Team captured a share of the Tri- County Peewee Division Championship with a 34-13 victory over Hamilton Giants. The victory made them champions for the third consecutive year and extended their unbeaten streak to 23 games.
Lead by veterans from last year’s undefeated team Eddie Timpano, Rocco Arcuri, Travis Brown , Joe Hernon, Andrew Donovan, Anthony Montana, Matt and Marc Pitarresi the team finished the season 7-0-1. The tie occurred against co-champion Whitesboro, which played the Senior Cubs to 12-12 game on September 27.
The team was built around a well balanced offense that could beat its opponents by run or pass. The Senior Cubs were guided by quarterbacks Matt Pitarresi and Clayton Tunney. With Pitarresi the running QB and Tunney the passing QB, defenses were driven insane with their athletic ability. The backfield consist of a host of great runners that could not only run but also block. Chris Hensel was Mr. Outside and Joe Russo was Mr. Inside. When a reverse or a cut back play occurred there was Joe Critelli, Sean Deon, and Anthony DeNicola always providing excitement. The receiving corps included sure handed Mark Calenzo, Jimmy Clifford, and DeNicola.
With the offense averaging 28 points a game credit must go to the linemen up front. Which includes Timpano, Arcuri, Calenzo, Clifford, Montana, Mike and Joe Hernon, Marc Montesano, Paul Raymond, Nick Spaziani, Josh Bobrow, Ralph and Jimmy Fava. By their hustle and constant maintaining of blocking assignments large holes were opened for the backs to run and time for quarterbacks to throw.
The defense was constantly attacking and was relentless in its pursuit of the ball carriers. Influenced by defensive end Kevin Dwyer, middle linebacker Carlo Pugliano, defensive linemen Robbie Cuyler, Marc Pitarresi, and Travis Brown the defense had two shutouts. The inspiring play of Bob Babrowicz, Andrew Donovan, Peter Massi, Chris Murray, Nick Rovou, Steve Antanavige, and Peter Tomaino, consistently came off the bench to pushed offenses backwards and giving the offense great field position.
Big plays were always being made by the secondary on defense. The secondary was energized by the play of Critelli, DeNicola, Tunney, Matt Pitarresi, Steve Shlotzhauer, and Neil Kohan. This unit average one interception per game and in the North Utica game Critelli ran an interception back for a touchdown.
The gold defense was brought onto the field when the going got extremely tough. That platoon included Russo, Hensel, Dwyer, Timpano, Pugliano, Critelli, Calenzo, Cuyler, DeNicola, Donovan, and Matt Pitarresi. When this unit was on the field they always rose to the occasion with great success.
The Senior Cubs victories came against Clinton 30-25, Mt. Markham 39-22, West Utica 27-14, Frank fort 19-0, Herkimer 30-0, North Utica 22-6, and Hamilton 34-13.
This team steadily improved throughout the season and much of that credit belongs to Head Coach Bert Glionna and his assistants Carmen Esper, Dan Goldman, Dick Hensel, Lou Pugliano, and Dick Timpano. The coaches never stopped pushing and the team responded to every challenge presented.
The coaches and players would like to thank the cheerleaders, parents, family members, Mr. Bill Nevits, and Commissioner Regina Brown, who not only supported the team all season , but provided the resources necessary to allow this group to become Champions for the third consecutive year.
 |
Click to visit past issues of the Bear Times |