"Rose Bowl" vs. Rose Tree

Game 9 - Greater 69th Street Wildcats

Our Termites lost a tough game 31-0 to the Greater 69th Street Wildcats on Sunday afternoon. We were effectively moving the ball most of the game, but the calls and luck just didn’t fall our way. Michael Porreca showed much heart on our first defensive series. He single-handedly brought down a larger Wildcats running back, by making a nice hit, not letting go, and spinning him to the ground. As usual, Andrew Ketler was causing fumbles and making good hits on defense. Even though we gave up five touchdowns, we only allowed one extra point all day. Brody Butler, Michael Clark, Brandon Anderson, and Nick Carmona were instrumental in making the stops. The offensive line performed really well during the game. Bobby Bell, Jr., Brett McLaughlin, Shane Dougherty, Jared Babe, Toby Gavin, Michael Davidson, and Michael Ventura fought hard all day opening holes for our backs to run through and gain yardage up the middle. Gaige Lennon took a few handoffs, broke several tackles and gained some good yardage on the day. During the last series of the game, our offense was putting together a really nice drive, but simply ran out of time. We gained two first downs, completed a pass, cause the defense to jump off sides, and a nice reverse from Paul Munro to Jimmy Moorhead to Jeff Dalessio. As parents and more importantly as fans of the game, we are so proud to see the effort put forth by our kids all year long. They are winners not because of the scores of the games, but because they battled hardships and made a conscious choice not to surrender. That is what winning is all about. Thanks to the coaches: Paul, Dan, Matt, Bob, Bill, and Jim, to the cheerleaders, to the team moms, Marci and Dawn, to the parents and to the players for a great year of Termites football!!

Game 8 - Haverford

First we would like to say congratulations to the Conmy Family as they welcomed in their newest addition, Sydney Beth at 8lbs, 6ozs. We wish you all the best. The Termites Suffered a 13-0 loss to Haverford. Our boys gave it their all and had a great start to the game. Jeff Dalessio tried hard with the first run of the game, but was stopped by the Haverford defense. On defense Mikey “Animal” Porreca was off to a great start with a one-man tackle and then was helpful to David “Resses” Bodkin who stopped one of the Haverford guy from gaining any more yards. Our defense did a GREAT job today, Toby Gavin was instrumental in getting one of the many team tackles and he was joined by Brody Butler, Noah States, Brendan Walker, Michael Gallagher, Gaige Lennon, Walter Bernard, and Brandon Anderson. Shane Dougherty and Jeff Delassio stopped the Haverford “O Line” cold on a great play. Jared Babe had his man covered which caused the other side to miss a pass. Andrew Ketler caused a Haverford fumble which Nick Carmona recovered for us. GREAT job guys!! On the offensive side, Michael Davidson, Billy Betson, Michael Ventura, Brett McLaughlin, Jimmy Moorhead all fought really hard on the “O Line” as Paul Munro and Bobby Bell, Jr. were getting off some great snaps. Our Termites are giving it their ALL and are improving every week. Thanks go out to our coaches, parents and team moms for your support every week. A special thanks go out to Dan and Desiree Carmona for taking pictures, video and trying to help me make sure we got all the great stuff our kids did in the game. Kevin you are a hard man to replace (3 of us to just you). You do an AWESOME job!! Again Congratulations to Kevin, Alisa, Colin, and Kimberly on their new addition.

NOTE - Special thanks are also in store for Dawn Walker, who wrote this week's newsletter in my absence. –Kev.

Game 7 - Folsom Falcons

This Saturday, our 80lb JV boys braved a baking afternoon sun and lost a hard-fought game 34-0 to a Varsity Folsom Falcons team. Gaige Lennon, David Bodkin, Michael Porreca, and Michael Davidson all had nice solo tackles. Andrew Ketler was getting great penetration on defense and delivered some hits that the Folsom running backs must still be feeling. Toby Gavin, Jared Babe, Michael Gallagher, Brandon Anderson, and Michael Clark all got in on gang tackles. On one play, Brendan Walker and Nick Carmona each put a nice hit on the Folsom back while Colin Conmy stripped the ball causing a fumble. On offense, Walter Bernard, Bobby Bell, Jr., and Shane Dougherty battled it out on the O-Line opening holes for Noah States and Jeff Dalessio to run through. QB Paul Munro was even able to run the Statue of Liberty play with Jim Moorhead with great success right before halftime. Although they gave it their all, the Varsity Falcons team proved a little too much for our JV boys. With only two games left in the regular season, we are getting better every week and still looking for our first win. Hopefully this week at home against Haverford will get us there! Thanks to the parents, team moms, and cheerleaders for cheering on our boys! Go Termites!!

Game 6 - Norchester Red Knights

This Saturday, the Termites braved an hour-long drive, early morning fog, and mosquitoes the size of dump trucks to play the first game of the day at Norchester. For all our good efforts, we ended up with a 18-7 loss at the hands of the Red Knights. Jim Moorhead not only broke off one of the Termites longest runs of the season, but three plays later, fought his way in for the Termites only touchdown of the day. Iron man Paul Munro played both sides of the ball as quarterback and safety. He completed three passes, made several tackles in all parts of the field, and, in an outstanding effort, scrambled out of the backfield for the extra point after a broken pass play. On defense, Michael Gallager, Shane Dougherty, Nick Carmona, Colin Conmy, Brody Butler, Michael Porreca, and Brendan Walker all got in on several tackles each. Brandon Anderson caused a Norchester fumble, which unfortunately the offense was able to recover. Gaige Lennon, Noah States, and Toby Gavin were three madmen, making solo tackles all over the field while Andrew Ketler laid some huge hits on Red Nights running backs. On the offensive side, Michael Ventura, Bobby Bell, Jr., and Billy Betson all fought hard on the O-Line as Brett McLaughlin snagged two of Munro’s passes and Michael Davidson grabbed the third all for nice yardage. Our Termites are working hard and improving every week. Thanks to the coaches, parents, and team moms for making the trip a good one!

Game 5 - Lower Perkiomen

The 80lb JV Termites went into Saturday’s game with Lower Perkiomen still looking for their first win. Instead, we were handed a 25-0 loss at the hands of the Longhorns. Our offense was still troubled by blocking and missed snaps. The defense had trouble with missed tackles on the big, fast, Longhorn running back, but David Bodkin, Michael Clark, Jared Babe, Toby Gavin, Michael Ventura and Billy Betson got in on gang tackles to stop him. In the first quarter, Jim Moorhead spoted a QB sneak on a fake handoff and made a nice open-field tackle. Mike Porreca got hurt but bounced back from one problematic pile-up. On the Longhorn’s first touchdown, Walter Bernard make great pursuit, but just ran out of field before catching the ball carrier. Bobby Bell Jr., Noah States, and Jeff Dalessio saved a touchdown on the play with a nice tackle after a long pursuit immediately before halftime. Dalessio also stuffed two Point After Attempts with tackles in the backfield. It was a tough day, but we’re still fighting! Thanks to the coaches, parents, team moms, and cheerleaders for all your support. Lastly, get well soon to Coach Paul! You were missed!

Game 4 - Kennett / Unionville

It was a bad day on a nice field in at Kennett High School. Not only did players, coaches, and fans have to suffer the relentless, nonsensical jabbering of the Kennett-Unionville announcers, our Termites were shut out 26-0 by the Titans. Our first two offensive series ended in fumbles which the Titans recovered and converted into touchdowns. Although the Titans were able to score twice more in the second quarter, our Termites defense shut them down completely after halftime. Also neither our offense nor defense had a penalty called on them all day. Bobby Bell, Jr. and Jared Babe were everywhere on defense getting in several tackles each. David Bodkin and Noah States both had nice chase-down tackles of Titans backs who broke free. Mike Clark, Mike Davidson, and Mike Ventura were great at getting in the Titans backfield and Ventura caused a fumble on one of his rushes. Frequent participants in gang tackles were Brendan Walker, Nick Carmona, Jeff Dalessio, Brody Butler, Andrew Ketler, Shane Dougherty, Colin Conmy, Brandon Anderson, Michael Porreca and Walter Bernard. On offense, Michael Gallager, Billy Betson, and Toby Gavin battled it out on the O-Line, but missed snaps and blocking were again our main problems. However, Gaige Lennon and Jimmy Moorhead fought hard for short yardage and Paul Munro connected with Brett McLaughlin for a nice pass in the fourth quarter. It was a tough loss, but we'll get 'em next week, boys!