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YourHub.com \\ Jupiter \\ Stories \\ Sports \\ JTAA

Jupiter Jr. Pee Wee Maroon Put Parkland In Park

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Contributed by: Charlie Weiss on 10/13/2009

In the biggest game of the Jr. Pee Wee football season, the undefeated Jupiter Mustangs Maroon took on the undefeated Parkland Rangers last Saturday afternoon. Although Jupiter's defense came into the game giving up only 6 points all season, Parkland would be their toughest opponent to date. This game certainly lived up to the pre-game hype as both teams came ready to play.

Marcello Bertuzzelli, who has been out for the past week with an injury, was able to attend the game and cheer for his team. It was apparent that Marcello's teammates were fired up by his presence at the game.

Jupiter started the game with an onside kick but Parkland's hands team was able to field the ball at around the 50 yard line. However, Jupiter's vaunted defense took control of the game immediately. It was evident from the first play from scrimmage that Coach Goodyear, Coach Gaudet, Coach Sanders, and Coach Bertuzzelli had the Jupiter team ready to play. Brandon Murphy, Anthony Powell, Reese Albert, Alex Radli and Chase Sanders all made big plays in the first defensive stand that set the tone for the day. Parkland was unable gain any yards in their first possession and turned the ball over on downs.

Jupiter's first possession started at midfield. After a couple of offside penalties set Jupiter back 10 yards, both Coulter Karr and Chase Sanders ran through the gaping holes created by the line consisting of Jonathan Alarie, Tanner Vecchio, Hunter Russo, Nicholas Kearns, Spencer Hoagland and Max Berger. Although Jupiter was unable to get a first down, it was clear that Jupiter would be able to move the ball on Parkland's defense if Jupiter could eliminate the penalties.

On Parkland's next possession, Parkland's running back broke free for a first down. Makoa Beck made a nice solo tackle down field which may have saved a touchdown. That play served as a wake up call to Jupiter's defense. Dylan Weiss, Brandon Murphy, Wyatt Walther, Zack Sprankle, Blake Crumbley, Reese Albert, John Sweeney, Corey Hunter and Dylan Hickok were all involved in tackles which resulted in Parkland again turning the ball over on downs.

Jupiter's offense continued its success on its second possession of the day. On 4th down and 5, Kyle McMullen hit Johnny Raich in stride for a 25 yard gain. Kyle McMullen's pass to Johnny Raich appeared to loosen up the defense allowing Brandon Murphy and Chase Sanders to start running through the holes opened up by the offensive line consisting of Max Berger, Hunter Russo, Blake Crumbley, Aaron Van Keuren, Dylan Weiss, Jack Vandermeulen and Johnny Raich. Jupiter continued its drive deep into Parkland territory before Jupiter turned to ball over on downs.

Parkland had some mild success on offense in its next drive. Despite tackles by Chase Sanders, Anthony Powell, Dylan Weiss, Dylan Hickok, Wyatt Walther, Reese Albert, Blake Crumbley, Sean Thompson, Parkland was able to manage two first downs. However, Jupiter's defense held Parkland on the next set of downs. Aaron Van Keuren and Wyatt Walther combined to stop the Parkland running back for no gain on 1st down. On 2nd down, Parkland threw an incomplete pass. On 3rd down, Anthony Powell recorded a big sack to make it 4th and 15. On 4th down, Parkland threw a long pass which was broken up by Kyle McMullen and Jupiter got the ball back with 37 seconds left in the half.

Jupiter began its final drive of the half at mid field. On the first play of Jupiter's drive, Kyle McMullen threw a screen pass to Brandon Murphy who ran the ball 50 yards for what appeared to be a touchdown. However, the play was called back on a questionable clipping penalty at the end of the run. Jupiter was unable find the end zone in the little time remaining and the 1st half ended in a scoreless tie.

Parkland kicked off to Jupiter to begin the second half. Brandon Murphy returned the kickoff to Jupiter's 40 yard line. A couple of tough runs by Chase Sanders and Blake Crumbley resulted in a 1st down for Jupiter. Coulter Karr then rumbled for another 15 yards and Jupiter was on the move again. Although Jupiter's offense appeared to be wearing down Parkland's defense (especially after a bone rattling block by Reese Albert that should make the highlight reel this week), Jupiter's drive was halted with an interception at Parkland's 15 yard line.

After Parkland's interception, Jupiter's defense once again took control of the game. Brandon Murphy stopped Parkland's first run up the middle after a short gain of 2 yards. Since the inside running game wasn't working, Parkland tried a sweep to the outside but Dylan Weiss was there to make the tackle for a 1 yard loss. Zack Sprankle and Reese Albert combined to make the tackle on the next play. On fourth down, Parkland attempted a pass which fell incomplete after Dylan Hickok crushed the receiver just as he was about to catch the ball.

Jupiter took over on downs on Parkland's 22 yard line. After runs by Brandon Murphy and Chase Sanders, Jupiter was facing 4th and 5 on Parkland's 17 yard line. Because a 34 yard field goal was not in the cards with Marcello out with an injury, Jupiter decided to go for it on 4th down. Kyle McMullen was able to convert on 4th down by completing a 10 yard pass to Zak Sprankle down to Parkland's 7 yard line. Just as it looked like Jupiter was ready to break the scoreless tie, Jupiter fumbled the football and Parkland recovered at their own 7 yard line.

Parkland was unable to gain any yards in their next drive. Brandon Murphy made tackles on 1st and 2nd down, and on 3rd and 10, Blake Crumbley drilled Parkland's running back at the line of scrimmage for no gain. Facing 4th and 10 at their own 7 yard line, Parkland decided to punt the football.

After a 41 yard punt, Jupiter began its final drive at Parkland's 48 yard line with six minutes left to go in the 4th Quarter. Behind the blocking of Max Berger, Hunter Russo, Blake Crumbley, Aaron Van Keuren, Dylan Weiss, Jack Vandermeulen and Johnny Raich, Jupiter's offense took control of a tired Parkland defense. On 1st down, Brandon Murphy followed Reese Albert's bone crushing block for a 5 yard gain. Next, Reese Albert ran up the middle for a 3 yard gain. A face mask penalty against Parkland tacked 10 yards on to the end of the run. After a short gain by Brandon Murphy, Kyle McMullen hit Zak Sprankle with a 17 yard pass and another first down. A couple of plays later, Brandon Murphy followed his blocking up the middle for a 10 yard gain and another 1st down at Parkland's 3 yard line. On 1st and goal at the 3, Brandon Murphy once again followed his blocking up the middle for a 3 yard touchdown. Brandon Murphy's again ran up the middle of Parkland's defense for the extra point and Jupiter took a 7-0 lead with a couple of minutes left to go in the game.

As expected, Parkland refused to go away quietly. On what turned out to be their final possession of the game, Parkland started to drive down the field. However, Jupiter's defense was able to keep Parkland out of the end zone. Among the highlights of Jupiter's final stop was a big sack by Hunter Russo which Parkland was unable to overcome as time ran out both on the game and on Parkland's hopes for an undefeated season.

After the game, the Jupiter Mustangs celebrated their victory and Coach Goodyear's birthday with a cookie cake and refreshments. With the victory, the Jupiter Mustangs Maroon have established themselves as the team to beat in Junior Pee Wee. However, Jupiter does not have much time to celebrate their victory as they have a tough game next week against the Lake Worth Warriors.

See you next week.

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