Wildcats Football Kicks Off 2012 Season

Wildcats Football Kicks off 2012 Season

The Fairfield Wildcats Youth Football League kicked off its 8th season Labor Day Weekend.  The Wildcats program, which is a part of the Fairfield County Football League, has grown to over 200 players, a 10 percent increase from last year.  Sporting new blue and black uniforms to reflect the Fairfield Warde and Fairfield Ludlowe High School colors, the 11 teams in grades 1 through 8 are ready to take on their opponents.  Grades 1-2 participate in a flag football program, while grades 3-8 play tackle.  With the 6th grade team winning the championship game last year and the 7th grade team taking the title in 2010, it looks to be an exciting season.

8th Grade Blue Team Opens 2012 Season with a Victory

The 8th Grade Blue team traveled to Westport to take on the Westport Wrecker’s North Team. The Wildcats scored the only points of the first half on a 22-yard touchdown run by running back Danny King. The following Westport drive, cornerback Tyler Petry intercepted a pass to send the Wildcats in at the half with a 6-0 lead. Running back Ross Gallace muscled his way down the right sideline for a 15-yard touchdown in the 4th quarter. Gallace had 47 yards total behind massive lead blocks from fullback Alexei Alatakis. Alatakis had 46 yards rushing as well.

The Wildcat defense stifled the Wreckers all afternoon. Linebacker Connor Byrne came up with Fairfield’s second interception in the 4th quarter. Defensive linemen Mark Garcia and rookies Joe Cartin & Chris Westervelt proved to be tough to run through. Defensive ends Tim Kane and Tommy Chandler made drive stopping tackles and strong safety Jack Caserta played an outstanding game and lead the team in tackles. The Blue team heads to New Canaan next Saturday night to take on NC Red at 8:00 PM.

7th Grade Wildcats Win Opener Against Norwalk

The 7th Grade Wildcats began the defense of their 2011 Championship with a decisive 24-6 victory over Norwalk.  The Wildcats appear ready to defend their title as they dominated both sides of the ball.  The offense controlled the line of scrimmage behind strong blocking from Josh Evans, Clay Zachery, Joey Turner, Jack Kovaleski and Chris Nielsen which resulted in rushing TD's by Jack Curtis, Matthew Cerminaro and Timmy Jacobi.  The Wildcats defense held Norwalk in check all game and even scored on a 25 yard interception returned for a TD by John Bluementhal.  Special teams also contributed with a 40 yard punt return by Alexey Linsenmeyer.  The Wildcats take on Wilton next Sunday at 11:00 at Fairfield Warde High School.

5th Grade Wildcats Defeat Norwalk

Wildcats 5th graders got off to a hot start and never looked back last Sunday morning, winning their season debut 27-7 over the Norwalk Grizzlies at Norwalk High School.  Quarterback Joey Gulbin hit split end Brodie Hopkinson on a 70 yard scoring strike on the second play from scrimmage to set the tone early.  With a Wildcat defensive line lead by Liam Hawley and Jason Conklin refusing to give an inch, the offense continued to execute effectively, delivering long touchdown runs in the first half by tailbacks Ryan Janz and Ryan Lawrence to pull away from the Grizzlies.  Just before halftime, safety Sean Nelson made a touchdown saving tackle at the five yard line to keep Norwalk off the scoreboard.

4th Grade Wildcats Fall to New Canaan

Fairfield Wildcats 4th grade lost a hard fought football game this Sunday to New Canaan White 14-7.   Running back Lorenzo Cooper ran for over 80 yards in total for the day and scored the game’s first touchdown.  Running back Ryan McIntosh ran for the extra point. Jimmy Cullinan, John Summers and Jack Gremse anchored the offensive line, providing great run support blocking.   The Wildcats defense made a number of big plays with Sean Flanary recovering one of the team’s two forced fumbles on the day. Harry Chandler led the way with some key open field tackles and Big Jack McKenna was a force on the D-line with many big tackles on the day.   Fairfield will look to bounce back against Darien this Sunday at Warde High School at 9:30am.

3rd Grade Wildcats Black 13, New Canaan 19

Wildcats 3rd Grade Black took on New Canaan Red Saturday night for their season opener.  New Canaan fired first and put 7 on the board with a big opening run. Wildcats QB Karl Schmidt moved the ball but not enough to get in the end zone. The half closed 13-0.

During half time Wildcat coaches motivated the players to rally. Key blocks came from the starting five:  Max Aderholt-Koon, Paul Sussman, Charlie Mitola, Casey Woodfine, Will Blumenthal, plus wing back Andre Mead. A block by Mead allowed Harrison Keith a chance to spring into action, breaking an 80 yard run then connecting with WR Farid Sahagun for the extra point. A defense lead by Woodfine held the New Canaan back scoreless throughout the second half. With two minutes and the score tied Wildcats had one more chance.  New Canaan answered back by intercepting and scoring, breaking the tie and handing the Wildcats their first loss.