Jr. All-American Football: Junior Midget Seahawks win title

The Newport-Mesa Junior All-American Football Junior Midget

Seahawks defeated the Rowland Heights Raiders, 20-7, to claim the AFL

Pacific Division title Saturday.

Mike Orosco scored late in the second quarter to give the Seahawks a

6-0 lead. In the third quarter, Matt Reiger returned a punt 65 yards for

a touchdown to put the Seahawks up, 12-0.

The Raiders answered with a punt block and touchdown midway through

the fourth quarter.

Bret Crowley extinguished any hopes of a comeback with a crucial

60-yard interception return for a touchdown to seal the victory for the

Seahawks.

John Angelo, Matt Hauser, Matt Lutton, Ben Buttolph, Delano McKenzie,

Ricky Sepulvada, Tony Jones and Ryan Lance also contributed to the

Seahawks’ effort.

Special teams and defense created six turnovers for the Seahawks.

The team finished the regular season with a 7-1 record. Following a

bye next week, the Seahawks return to action Nov. 10 against the winner

of the South Bay Packers-Corona Panthers first-round playoff game.

In other NMJAAF action:

* Junior Clinic Seahawks 8, Rowland Heights Raiders 6 - Despite

controlling the football for much of the game, the Seahawks were held

scoreless until Michael Taormina and Buzzy Yokoyama sacked the Raider

quarterback for a safety. On the ensuing drive, the Seahawks were able to

score their only touchdown of the game behind strong running from

Taormina and Austin Blodgett.

Defensive standouts for the Seahawks include Chasen McNaughton, Hunter

Durante, Joseph DiCesare, John Prickett and Tyler Henry.

The Seahawks (4-4), seeded third, play the Corona Panthers in the

first round of the playoffs on Nov. 3 at 9 a.m. in Garden Grove.

* Pee Wee Seahawks 46, Tri-City Steelers 0 - The Seahawks (7-1) earned

their fourth consecutive shutout to finish first in the Pacific League.

Jon Tripi returned the opening kickoff 60 yard for a touchdown to set

the tone for the game. Taylor Sepulveda threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to

Robbie Lusk and a 5-yard touchdown pass to Erik Rask to highlight the

offense.

William O’Brien, Corbin McNutt, Sepulveda and Lusk had touchdown runs

behind strong blocking from Jerry Whitney, Frankie Russo, Nick Reese,

James McKennon, Bryce Jardine, Keifer Fairbanks and Justin Elbourn.

Michael Jugan made a long pass reception and Carlo Valdes had a long run

to set up touchdowns.

The defense was led by Steve Deverian, Tommy Folks, Brett Hanrahan,

Brian Lawler, Jake Lemmerman, Travis Prickett, P.J. Simpson, Richie

Sorenson, Brice Stillman and Chaz Vickery.